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Research Interests:

 

Design, synthesis, and characterization of materials with unique interfacial phenomena, focusing on the exploitation of physical laws governing fluid-surface interactions.

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Marie-Curie (IF/PD/EF-ENG) and AoF Research Fellow, Applied Physics 

Aalto University (Helsinki, Finland), Jan 2022 - Present

Project: Durable, Functional 3D Liquid Repellent Nanostructures for Harsh Exposure Environments. 

Advisor: Robin Ras.

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Marie-Curie (ESR) Research Fellow, Physics at Interfaces 

Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Mainz, Germany), Jan 2018 - Jan 2022

Project: Lubricant-infused Surfaces for Anti-Icing Applications.

Advisors: Doris Vollmer and Hans-Jürgen Butt.

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Ph.D., Materials Engineering (Nanotechnology)

Australian National University (Canberra, Australia), Feb 2014 - Aug 2018

Dissertation: Super(de)wettability via Scalable Hierarchical Surface Texturing. ​

Advisors: Antonio Tricoli and Vince Craig.

 

B.Eng, Chemical Engineering (1st Class Hons.)

National University of Singapore (Singapore), Aug 2009 - Aug 2013

Dissertation: Tough Hybrid Composite Polymers for Enhanced Scratch Resistance.​​

Advisors: Tay Siok Wei and Hong Liang.

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Awards and Grants

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17. Jul 2022, Emerging Investigator Award, 17th International Conference of IACIS​

  • International Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists (IACIS)

  • For outstanding fundamental or applied research in the field of colloid and interface science.

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16. May 2022, Academy of Finland (AoF) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship​​​

  • 3 years: 250,000 € (including institutional/consumable funding).

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15. Mar 2022, Marie Skłodowska-Curie European (IF/PD/EF-ENG) Fellowship​​

  • Evaluation: 100/100, Top 1% of all proposals.

  • 2 years: 200,000 € (including institutional/consumable funding).

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14. Jan 2018, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher (ESR) Fellowship​​

  • 3 years: 218,000 € (including institutional/consumable funding).

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13. Jan 2017, Australian National University Discovery Translation Fund 2.0 (DTF238),

  • 6 months: AUD 50,000 / 32,000 €.

  • Assisted in an Australian Research Council Linkage Project (ARC LP17, 2018).

  • ARC, 3 years: AUD 280,000 / 180,000 € with Carl Zeiss Vision (Australia).
     

12. Dec 2016, “Science as Art” Award, Materials Research Society 

  • 1st place out of 44 entries.

  • Featured on Materials360® and InsideScience.org.

 

11. Dec 2016, Graduate Student Award (Silver), Materials Research Society 

 

10. Dec 2016, Graduate Student Travel Support, Materials Research Society 

  • Travel support for a graduate student as an oral presenter. 

 

9.   Dec 2016, Australian National University Media and Outreach Awards

  • “Best Use of Video and Photography" Category.

 

8.   Dec 2016, Treloar Prize for Best Oral Presentation ​

  • 36th Australasian Polymer Symposium (36APS).

 

7.   Dec 2016, Australian National University Vice-Chancellor’s HDR Travel Grant

  • Stipend for conference travel to the MRS Fall Meeting.

 

6.   Feb 2014, University Research Scholarship and CECS HDR Scholarship (ANU)

  • Ph.D. fellowship (3 years) plus travel funding: AUD 96,000 / 60,000 €.

  • Ph.D. fellowship (1 year) plus travel funding: AUD 32,000 / 20,000 €.

 

5.   Feb 2014, Australian National University Higher Degree (Research) Merit Scholarship

  • Fee waiver (4 years): AUD 184,000 / 120,000 €.

 

4.   Jun 2013, National University of Singapore Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Prize

  • Awarded the OUR Prize (university level) by the Faculty of Engineering.

  • Part of 15 projects selected from the 2012/2013 university cohort.

  • One of two awardees, Department of Engineering (> 1000 students).

 

3.   Apr 2013, Faculty of Engineering High Achievement Award (Innovation & Research, NUS)

  • Achieved the High Achievement Award (Faculty Innovation and Research Awards).

  • Best project selected from the 2012/2013 graduating cohort (Chemical Engineering, ~300 students).

 

2.   2011-2012, National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Engineering Dean’s List 

  • Top 5% of the academic cohort (Chemical Engineering, ~300 students).


1.   2011, James Dyson Award (Shortlisted), Jul 2011​

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