Current Research Topic and Achievements

My PhD research focused on studying the mechanism of locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT) for bacteria inactivation using an operando investigation method. I developed lab-on-a-chip devices and fabricated gold nanoneedles on chip to enable real-time visualization of the cell inactivation process and elucidated the bacteria inactivation mechanism. An ultrafast bacteria inactivation with nanosecond pulses was also achieved in LEEFT. I have published over 17 peer-reviewed papers on journals like Nature Water, Nano Letters, Environmental International, and PNAS. I also received awards like the ACS Gonter environmental chemistry award and the SNO student award.

Career Goal in 5-10 Years

My future research will center on using innovated engineering processes, operando investigation methods, and data-driven analysis to address the challenges related to water, environmental pollution, public health, and resources. Within 5-10 years, I believe I can build a well-funded research group with cutting-edge research that will contribute to the understandings and solutions of major environmental problems. I plan to pursue research topics in environmental microbiology and nanotechnology to achieve sustainable solutions to our global water and environment challenges. Potential research topics of my group include water purification, water disinfection, pollutant degradation, environment remediation, and energy storage.

Fun Fact

Used to consider shifting to CS, so did a secondary major in computational science and engineering.