Prof. Yu received his undergraduate education at the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and obtained his PhD degree in biochemistry from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Before joining the Hong Kong Baptist University, Prof. Yu once worked at China Pharmaceutical University, Nagasaki University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Xiamen University and University of Macau. Prof. Yu is known for his research in herbal pharmacology, and in processing of Chinese medicinal materials. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed research papers.

Consun Pharmaceutical Group Limited and Laboratory JaneClare Limited in collaboration with Prof. Yu's team established "Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases" and "JaneClare Transdermal TCM Therapy Laboratory", respectively, in Hong Kong Baptist University.

Prof. Yu serves as Editorial Board Member/Associate Editor/Executive Editor/ Consulting Editor for more than 30 journals, e.g.  LiShizhen Medicine and Materia Medica Research, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research, Journal of Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Medicine, Pharmacological Research.

1) Pharmacology of Chinese medicines, focusing on the mechanisms of action of anticancer, anti-inflammation and melanogenesis-modulation herbs; 2) Unique processing of Chinese medicinal herbs, focusing on the mechanisms underlying processing of Chinese medicines, standardization of adjuvant materials for the processing of Chinese medicinal herbs, and quality control of decoction pieces.