Team

Meet the pioneers

People

Mentoring and Supervision

Postdoctoral Researchers and Research Scientists

2026–Present

Teemu Olaja, PhD Aalto University Research: Sustainable, intelligent, and resilient infrastructure.

PhD Students

2026–Present

Yujin Yuan PhD Student, Aalto University Research: Theory and design of structural concrete supercapacitors.

Ekatarina PhD Student, Aalto University Research: Low-carbon concrete design based on particle packing theory.

2025–2027

M. Mirabrishami (Co-supervised) PhD Student, Pennsylvania State University (2024–2029) Research: Biochar concrete design based on particle packing theory.

2021–2024

Z. Y. Li PhD Student, Nanyang Technological University (2020–2024) Co-supervised with Prof. S. Z. Qian Research: Particle packing of calcined marine clay for sustainable concrete production.

2020–2023

W. L. Lam PhD, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2019–2024) Research: Seawater sea-sand ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete developed through packing optimization.

2019–2022

Mahram Khan PhD, The University of Hong Kong (2018–2022) Current affiliation listed: AECOM Research: FRP–FRC–steel double-skin tubular members.

Master's Students

Columbia University (2023–2025)

J. M. Lu MS in Civil Engineering, Columbia University (2023–2025) Research: Low-carbon cement recovered from seawater and AI-driven multiscale modeling. Career: Civil Engineer, USA.

Y. L. Liu MS in Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University (2022–2024) Research: AI-driven multiscale modeling of low-carbon cement-based materials. Career: Mechanical Engineer, China.

The University of Hong Kong (2016–2021)

Y. H. Deng MSc in Structural Engineering (2020–2021) Research: Development of novel self-prestressing concrete.

Z. G. Ma MSc in Structural Engineering (2019–2020) Research: Tensile behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete.

Jiachen Ma MSc in Structural Engineering (2019–2020) Research: Bond behavior of FRP reinforcement in seawater sea-sand fiber-reinforced concrete. Subsequent position: PhD Student, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2021–2025).

M. H. Ren MSc in Structural Engineering (2018–2019) Research: Cracking behavior of fiber-reinforced mortar.

M. Y. Gu MSc in Structural Engineering (2018–2019) Research: Fiber bond strength in fiber-reinforced mortar.

N. C. Wu Part-time MSc in Structural Engineering (2017–2019) Research: Fiber bond strength in fiber-reinforced mortar.

B. Yan MSc in Structural Engineering (2017–2019) Research: Nanoparticles for the development of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete.

Y. Jiang MSc in Structural Engineering (2016–2018) Research: Dry packing of fibers and aggregates. Subsequent position: Assistant Professor.

Z. Y. Yang MSc in Structural Engineering (2016–2017) Research: Filler technology in fiber-reinforced concrete. Subsequent position: PhD Student, Georgia Institute of Technology (2018–2023).

Undergraduate Research Students

Nanyang Technological University

2022–2023

Yi Xiu Bryon Teng BEng in Civil Engineering (2019–2023) Research: Synthesis of low-carbon cement from local reject brine.

Wei Xuan Tay BEng in Civil Engineering (2019–2023) Research: Development of bio-inspired, high-strength, bendable concrete.

Hui Li BEng in Civil Engineering (2019–2023) Research: Smart capsules for self-healing concrete.

2021–2022

Xin Ying Lee BEng in Civil Engineering (2018–2022) Research: Synthesis of sustainable MgO binders from reject brine.

Hei Long Heron Lam BEng in Civil Engineering (2018–2022) Research: Development of ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete.

The University of Hong Kong

2020–2021

Nicholas Chandra BEng in Civil Engineering (2017–2021) Research: Novel materials for functional marine mortar.

Lai Ka Yee Roy BEng in Civil Engineering (2017–2021) Research: Development of functional and durable construction materials.

2019–2020

Chun Man Hugo Kwok BEng in Civil Engineering (2016–2020) Research: Bond behavior of reinforcing bars in hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete.

Cheuk Fung Gary Fan BEng in Civil Engineering (2016–2020) Research: Direct tensile behavior of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete.

Cheuk Hang Brian Au BEng in Civil Engineering (2016–2020) Research: Supplementary cementitious materials and fillers for greener concrete.

Tsz Kin Winson Ma BEng in Civil Engineering (2016–2020) Research: Matrix design of ultra-high-strength and high-ductility concrete.

Ray Wong BEng in Civil Engineering (2016–2020) Research: FRP–FRC–steel double-skin tubular members.

Pan BEng in Civil Engineering (2016–2020) Research: FRP–FRC–steel double-skin tubular members.

2018–2019

Kwan Nok Arnold Lai BEng in Civil Engineering (2015–2019) Research: Metakaolin and silica fume in ultra-high-performance concrete.

Chi Ho Jerry Lee BEng in Civil Engineering (2015–2019) Research: Metakaolin and silica fume in ultra-high-performance concrete.

Shing Yam Lawrence Ip BEng in Civil Engineering (2015–2019) Research: Fiber bond strength in fiber-reinforced concrete.

Lok Hin Eric Shing BEng in Civil Engineering (2015–2019) Research: Fiber bond strength in fiber-reinforced concrete.

Hung Shing Martin Li BEng in Civil Engineering (2015–2019) Research: Design of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete for 3D printing.

Yat Tung Max Law BEng in Civil Engineering (2015–2019) Research: Reinforcing bar bond strength in fiber-reinforced concrete.

Tai Ching Daniel Wong BEng in Civil Engineering (2015–2019) Research: Reinforcing bar bond strength in fiber-reinforced concrete.

Kiu Hang Andrew Ngai BEng in Civil Engineering (2015–2019) Research: Direct tensile behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete.

Chi Hang Poon BEng in Civil Engineering (2015–2019) Research: Corrosion-resistant FRC–steel tubular columns.

2017–2018

Chin Ching Marco Sheung BEng in Civil Engineering (2014–2018) Research: Tensile behavior of carbon fiber cementitious composites.

Matthew Macro BEng in Civil Engineering (2014–2018) Research: Bond strength of carbon fiber cementitious composites.

King Ho Owen Law BEng in Civil Engineering (2014–2018) Research: Behavior of high-performance pervious concrete.

Ho Yin Harry Chu BEng in Civil Engineering (2014–2018) Research: Behavior of high-performance pervious concrete.

2016–2017

Lap Ho Vincent Wong BEng in Civil Engineering (2013–2017) Research: Tensile behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete.

Ka Ho Eric Cho BEng in Civil Engineering (2013–2017) Research: Bond strength of fiber-reinforced concrete.

Cheuk Nam Leung BEng in Civil Engineering (2013–2017) Research: Fiber pullout behavior in fiber-reinforced concrete.

Wing Chuen Tom Chan BEng in Civil Engineering (2013–2017) Research: Behavior of pervious concrete.

Man Ho Rico Yau BEng in Civil Engineering (2013–2017) Research: Behavior of pervious concrete.

Research Assistants

University of California, Los Angeles

2024–2025

Ryan Luu Undergraduate Research Assistant Research: Electrochemical methods for decarbonization.

Columbia University

2023–2025

Zachary Meryn Research Assistant Research: Low-carbon cement synthesis from seawater and its applications. Subsequent institution: Vanderbilt University.

Max Lee Research Assistant Research: Low-carbon cement synthesis from seawater and numerical modeling. Subsequent institution: Carnegie Mellon University.

2023–2024

Charlie Peskay Research Assistant Research: Low-carbon cement synthesis from seawater and applications in 3D printing. Subsequent institution: Georgia Institute of Technology.

Nanyang Technological University

2022–2023

Z. X. Zhang Undergraduate Research Assistant BEng, Nanyang Technological University (2021–2025).

2022

S. Y. Zhu Undergraduate Research Assistant BEng, Nanyang Technological University (2021–2025). Subsequent institution: University of Cambridge.

The University of Hong Kong

2019

Z. Q. Fang Research Assistant MPhil, Guangdong University of Technology (2017–2020).

Jenny H. M. Zhang Undergraduate Research Assistant BEng, The University of Hong Kong (2017–2021). Subsequent institution: Stanford University.

James J. J. Chen Undergraduate Research Assistant BEng, The University of Hong Kong (2017–2021). Subsequent institution: The University of Hong Kong.

2018–2019

Nelson Hui Undergraduate Research Assistant BEng, The University of Hong Kong (2016–2020).

2018

X. Q. Li Research Assistant MPhil, Guangdong University of Technology (2017–2020).

Yulun David Wu Undergraduate Research Assistant BEng, The University of Hong Kong (2016–2020). Subsequent institution: Stanford University.

2017–2018

H. N. Douglas Chiang Research Assistant BSc, The University of Hong Kong (2015–2020).

2017

Miaochang Zhu Research Assistant PhD, Kyoto University (2017–2020). Subsequent position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Guangzhou University.

Kailong Zeng Research Assistant MPhil, Guangdong University of Technology (2016–2019).

Zhipeng Huang Research Assistant MPhil, Guangdong University of Technology (2015–2018).

Research Team and Collaborations

Research Team

Y. Jiang Assistant Professor, Ningbo University of Technology Collaboration since September 2017 Research: Low-carbon materials through waste recycling and CO₂ mineralization.

J. J. Yao Geotechnical Engineer, Shanghai MEDI Collaboration since June 2019 Research: Particle packing theory and waste valorization.

Z. X. Chen Associate Professor, Yanshan University Collaboration since December 2019 Research: Cement chemistry, low-carbon binders, γ-C₂S, and particle packing theory.

J. J. Chen Associate Professor, Foshan University Collaboration since July 2016 Research: Particle packing and advanced concrete mixture design.

Y. K. Kong Research Collaborator Collaboration since July 2020 Research: Ultra-high-performance concrete, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and life-cycle assessment.

Research Collaborations

Columbia University

Shaina Kelly Assistant Professor, Columbia University Collaboration since 2023 Research: MgO synthesis and its applications in engineered rock materials.

Daniel Esposito Associate Professor, Columbia University Collaboration since 2023 Research: Alkali production through hydrolysis for MgO synthesis.

Nanyang Technological University

X. Xiao Research Fellow Collaboration since August 2021 Research: Bacteria-based strengthening and self-healing of cementitious materials.

S. Z. Qian Associate Professor, Nanyang Technological University Collaboration since August 2021 Research: One-part alkali-activated materials derived from marine sediments.

The University of Hong Kong

Leo G. Li Associate Professor, Guangzhou University Collaboration since 2016.

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Long Li Assistant Professor, Tongji University Collaboration since August 2020 Research: Nanosilica treatment of recycled aggregates for normal- and high-strength concrete.

Academic Network

International Academic Connections

• Barbara Lothenbach — Professor and Group Leader, Empa.

• Surendra P. Shah — Professor Emeritus, Northwestern University.

• Cise Unluer — Chair Professor, University of Manchester.

• Lesley Sneed — Professor, University of Illinois Chicago.

• Franz Ulm — Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Member, US National Academy of Engineering.

• Alexandra Radlinska — Professor, Pennsylvania State University.

Columbia University

• Jacob Fish — Professor, Columbia University.

• Shaina Kelly — Assistant Professor, Columbia University.

• Daniel Esposito — Associate Professor, Columbia University.

• Steve W. C. Sun — Associate Professor, Columbia University.

• Soulaymane Kachani — Senior Vice Provost, Columbia University.

University of Cambridge

• Burigede Liu — Assistant Professor, University of Cambridge.

• Vikram Deshpande — Professor, University of Cambridge.

• Norman Fleck — Professor, University of Cambridge.

• Angkur Shaikeea — Assistant Professor, California Institute of Technology.

• Fan Feng — Assistant Professor, Peking University.

• Rui Wu — PhD Researcher, University of Cambridge.

Nanyang Technological University

• En-Hua Yang — Professor, Nanyang Technological University.

• S. Z. Qian — Associate Professor, Nanyang Technological University.

The University of Hong Kong

• A. K. H. Kwan — Professor, The University of Hong Kong.

• R. K. L. Su — Associate Professor, The University of Hong Kong.

• H. L. Ye — Associate Professor, The University of Hong Kong.

Academic Network Associated with Prof. A. K. H. Kwan

• W. W. Ng — Vice-President and Chair Professor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

• Xilin Lyv — Member, Chinese Academy of Engineering; Tongji University.

• Z. Z. Zhao — Associate Professor, Tsinghua University.

• L. G. Li — Associate Professor, Guangzhou University.

• J. J. Chen — Associate Professor, Foshan University.

• W. W. S. Fung — Chief Engineer, Water Supplies Department, Hong Kong Government.

• P. L. Ng — General Manager, Research and Development, Hip Hing Construction.

• J. Y. K. Lam — Government Engineer, Hong Kong Government.

• X. G. He — Former Engineer, Tsinghua University.

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

• C. S. Poon — Former Department Head and Chair Professor, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

• Z. H. Duan — Associate Professor, Tongji University.

• Bo Li — Professor, University of Nottingham Ningbo China.