Gongda Yao

Gongda Yao is an experienced leader in the solar and semiconductor industries with 30 years of expertise. Currently serving as General Manager at Applied Materials China since January 2022 and previously as Vice President at Applied Materials since October 2020, Gongda Yao has held various impactful positions, including Chairman at IC League Co from January 2019 to September 2020 and CEO at DAQO New Energy from July 2008 to January 2018, where significant contributions led to the company becoming a notable player in the solar industry. Additional experience includes General Manager at Applied Materials China from 2006 to 2008, overseeing seven operation sites and a research and development center, and Vice President and Business Division General Manager at Novellus Systems, managing the PVD product division. Gongda Yao holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Tongji University.