Bio | bioinspiration

Research Interests:

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

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.

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.

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.

Awards and Grants

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.

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

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

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).

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

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

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