Ye became interested in science fiction as a child. She was particularly interested in a story by Ye Yonglie that included a castle made from diamond. Ye learned that photocatalysis could split water into hydrogen and oxygen. She then became inspired by Jules Vernes The Mysterious Island', She studied chemistry at the Zhejiang University. After completing her undergraduate degree, she moved to Japan, where she joined the University of Tokyo. After earning her doctorate in 1990, she joined Osaka University as a research associate.