Principal investigator
Education
2007–2011 Doctor of Philosophy Department of Chemistry, University of Sydney (Australia)
2003–2006 Bachelor of Science (Hons. I) Department of Chemistry, University of Sydney (Australia)
Employment history
2022 onward Assistant Professor, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan
2020–2021 Research Professor, Korea University, South Korea
2017–2020 Research Professor, Dongguk University, South Korea
2012–2017 Postdoctoral Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Germany
Chemistry has always fascinated me because everything around us is composed of the 92 naturally occurring elements that connect together or interact through a set of chemical principles. I am interested in understanding these chemical principles, and how they can be engineered into chemical technologies that improve our quality of life. My research philosophy is that technological breakthroughs can only be achieved through advances in fundamental science. For this reason, my research emphasises acquiring fundamental insights, and to transfer these insights into developing better chemical technologies.
My areas of specialisations are the synthesis and characterisation of molecular materials, analytical methodologies and instrumentation, photochemistry and electrochemistry. In my previous research at the University of Sydney and at the Max Planck Institute, I have developed inorganic and molecular materials for solar fuel production (using sunlight to drive reactions for producing fuel chemicals). At Dongguk and Korea University, my research sought to develop organic molecules as sustainable battery electrodes, as well as developing molecular coatings for the transition metal oxides used in modern lithium-ion batteries in partnership with one of the biggest international battery producers. Hence, my experience covers academic and industry research with both a fundamental and a technological aspect in areas with potential societal impact.
I have worked in three continents and collaborated with scientists of various specialisations globally, maintaining a network for future partnerships and possible student exchange opportunities. I have mentored students from the undergraduate to the postgraduate level with diverse cultural background and language fluency. As a research supervisor, I seek to create a culture of scientific internationalisation, to impart on all members an outward-looking mentality, and encourage collaborative teamwork across disciplines and national borders, so that our achievements can reach greater heights than what any single research team is capable of.