DeWITT, N.Y. — The woman who serves as director of global research and development (R&D) at Indium Corporation is the recipient of MACNY’s 2025 Innovator of the Year Award.

Members of MACNY, The Manufacturers Association and community leaders will honor Yan Liu, Ph.D. at MACNY’s 112th annual Celebration of Manufacturing on May 22 at the SRC Arena & Events Center on the campus of Onondaga Community College in the town of Onondaga.

The Innovator of the Year Award recognizes people who “lead the way in innovation, driving advancements in their industry and reshaping the future,” according to a MACNY announcement.

“Dr. Yan Liu is a remarkable leader whose innovative spirit and dedication to advancing the manufacturing industry have made a lasting impact,” Randy Wolken, president & CEO of MACNY, said in the announcement. “Her work at Indium Corporation has shaped the future of electronics manufacturing and set new industry standards. We’re deeply honored to recognize her with the 2025 Innovator of the Year Award, celebrating her groundbreaking contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence.”

Based in Clinton in Oneida County, Indium Corp. describes itself as a materials refiner, smelter, manufacturer, and supplier to the global electronics, semiconductor, thin-film, and thermal-management markets.

“Dr. Yan Liu’s relentless pursuit of innovation has driven significant advancements in electronics manufacturing while strengthening Indium Corporation’s position as a leader in materials science,” Ross Berntson, president and CEO of Indium, added in the MACNY announcement. “Her leadership in developing next-generation materials and expanding global collaboration underscores our commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology. We are honored to see her recognized by MACNY for her outstanding contributions.”

About Liu

With more than two decades at Indium, Liu has been a “driving force” in solder materials and flux-technology innovations, “directly influencing the evolution of the electronics manufacturing industry.” Her leadership has led to the development of cutting-edge fluxes, solder pastes, and advanced materials, “setting new industry benchmarks.” MACNY contended.

DeWitt–based MACNY added that Liu has also played a big role in building and cultivating Indium’s global R&D team, guiding members in their mission to develop “world-class” materials.

Liu oversees R&D project management for both applied and fundamental research, “spearheading breakthrough technology developments.” As a key spokesperson for Indium Corporation’s technological advancements, MACNY said she bridges research, industry needs, and market opportunities — ensuring that R&D efforts align with corporate goals and customer demands.

“Dr. Yan Liu is a remarkable leader whose innovative spirit and dedication to advancing the manufacturing industry have made a lasting impact,” Randy Wolken, president & CEO of MACNY, said in the announcement. “Her work at Indium Corporation has shaped the future of electronics manufacturing and set new industry standards. We’re deeply honored to recognize her with the 2025 Innovator of the Year Award, celebrating her groundbreaking contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence.”

Her leadership extends globally. In addition to directing Indium Corporation’s research & development center in Suzhou, China, she manages a group of chemists and metallurgists across North America and Asia, “fostering cross-functional collaboration to address complex technical challenges.”

Her tenure as manager of the R&D flux group “further solidified” her expertise in developing high-performance materials that “enhance manufacturing efficiency, reliability, and quality.”