2017 / 2018
FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
Printed in Singapore.
Copyright©2017. All rights reserved by NUS Department of Chemistry.
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS2017 / 2018
by
Department of Chemistry
Faculty of Science
National University of Singapore
Singapore
2017
Table of Contents
03Head’s Foreword
Management Team
Faculty Members
Faculty Research Areas
16 Research Highlights
2017/2018
75 Teaching Staff
(Instructors and Teaching Assistant)
77 Chemical, Molecular & Materials Analysis Centre
Student Associations
Chemistry is becoming ever more diverse and multidisciplinary in effort, spanning into a
broad range of research fields in engineering, science, materials and medicine. Today, it
constitutes an important pillar of Singapore’s economy and fuels our nation’s industry
and R&D efforts.
The NUS Department of Chemistry has grown in tandem, with our emphases shifting
from the traditional areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, to new
niche areas such as materials chemistry, chemical biology and green energy sources.
Today our department employs more than 50 research-oriented faculty members,
supported by 50 administrative and technical staff. We also operate a centralized
instrumentation facility CMMAC that provide access to state-of-the-art equipment and
technologies for materials characterization and analyses.
This annual publication introduces you to our faculty members and provides you a
glimpse into their expertise and achievements. I hope this publication will pique your
interest into their research work and will catalyse collaborations and intellectual
exchanges with other like-minded researchers like yourself.
Happy reading!
Richard Wong Ming Wah
Professor and Head of Chemistry, NUS
20 October 2017
3
Head’s Foreword
MANAGEMENT TEAM
4
Department Management Team
Professor Wong Ming Wah, Richard
Head of Department
Associate Professor Chen Wei
Deputy Head
Research and Enterprise
Associate Professor Fan Wai Yip
Deputy Head
Education
Associate Professor Ang Wee Han
Deputy Head
Administration and Student Life
Associate Professor Zhao Yu
Assistant Head
Research
Associate Professor Chua Lay Lay
Assistant Head
Postgraduate Programme
Professor Zhou WeibiaoDirector
Food Science and TechnologyProgramme
Management Council
Professor Wong Ming Wah, Richard (Chair)
Professor Loh Kian Ping
Professor Lu Yixin
Professor Jagadese J. Vittal
Professor Xu Guo Qin
Associate Professor Ang Siau Gek
Associate Professor Lam Yulin
Associate Professor Lai Yee Hing
MANAGEMENT TEAM
5
Emeritus Professor
Ang How Ghee
Goh Suat Hong
Huang Hsing Hua
Kiang Ai Kim
Professor
Steven Lynn Bernasek
Lee Hian Kee
Li Fong Yau, Sam
Liu Xiaogang
Loh Kian Ping
Lu Yixin
Jagadese J. Vittal
Thorsten Wohland
Wong Ming Wah, Richard
Wu Jishan
Xu Guo Qin
Yao Shao Qin
Zhou Weibiao
Associate Professor
Ang Siau Gek
Ang Wee Han
Ryan Phillip Anthony Bettens
Chan Yin Thai
Chen Wei
Chi Chunyan
Chin Wee Shong
FACULTY MEMBERS
6
FACULTY MEMBERS
7
Associate Professor
Chua Lay Lay
Chuah Gaik Khuan
Fan Wai Yip
Gao Zhiqiang
Huang Dejian
Huynh Han Vinh
Stephan Jaenicke
Kang Hway Chuan
Lai Yee Hing
Lam Yulin
Liu Shao Quan
Christian Albertus Nijhuis
Suresh Valiyaveettil
Thomas Walcyzk
Simon Watts
Xu Qing-Hua
Yip Hon Kay, John
Zhang Chun
Zhao Yu
Assistant Professor
Chng Shu Sin
Goki Eda
Ge Shaozhong
Kim Jung Eun
Lu Jiong
Tan Zhi Kuang
Wu Jie
FACULTY MEMBERS
8
Assistant Professor
Yang Hongshun
Yeo Boon Siang, Jason
Rowan Drury Young
Senior Lecturers and Lecturers
Chan Sau Han Edith
Chui Sin Yin, Stephen
Foo Maw Lin
Hoang Truong Giang
Adrian Michael Lee
Liu Mei Hui
Linda Sellou
Tan Sue Qing, Emelyn
Xu Hairuo
Zhang Sheng
Teaching Staff
Chen Litai, Jeremiah
Chong Yuan Yi
Fung Fun Man
Michael Yudistira Patuwo
Tan Wee Boon
Thyagarajan Saradha
Ong Yue Ying
FACULTY MEMBERS
9
Adjunct Faculty Members
Professor Chua Sin Bin (Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority)
Professor Jackie Ying (Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology)
Associate Professor Li Xu (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Associate Professor Ong Kheng Chuan, Peter (KH Roberts)
Associate Professor Anders Poulsen (Experimental Therapeutic Centre)
Associate Professor Su Xiaodi (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Associate Professor Nikodem Tomczak (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Associate Professor Mahesh Uttamchandani (DSO National Laboratories)
Associate Professor Zong Yun (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Assistant Professor Joanne Chan Sheot Harn (Health Sciences Authority)
Assistant Professor Hung Wei Alvin (Experimental Therapeutic Centre)
Assistant Professor Lim Lic-Kiam, Lincoln (Abbot Nutrition)
Assistant Professor Ng Man Fai (Institute of High Performance Computing)
Assistant Professor Michael Sullivan (Institute of High Performance Computing)
Assistant Professor Takuya Sato (Kikkoman Singapore R&D Laboratory)
Assistant Professor Tan Yen Nee (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Assistant Professor Wang Fuke (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Assistant Professor Xu Jianwei (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Lecturer Klement Foo Jihao (Experimental Therapeutics Centre)
Lecturer Tan Song Wei, Benjamin (Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences)
10
Professor Lee Hian Kee
Professor Li Fong Yau, Sam
Professor Thorsten Wohland
Associate Professor Gao Zhiqiang
Associate Professor Simon Watts
Associate Professor Thomas Walczyk
Associate Professor Xu Qing-Hua
Assistant Professor Yeo Boon Siang, Jason
Inorganic Chemistry
Professor Jagadese J. Vittal
Professor Liu Xiaogang
Associate Professor Ang Siau Gek
Associate Professor Ang Wee Han
Associate Professor Huang Dejian
Associate Professor Huynh Han Vinh
Associate Professor Yip Hon Kay, John
Assistant Professor Ge Shaozhong
Assistant Professor Rowan D. Young
Organic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
FACULTY RESEARCH AREAS
Professor Liu Xiaogang
Professor Lu Yixin
Professor Wong Ming Wah, Richard
Professor Wu Jishan
Professor Yao Shao Qin
Associate Professor Chi Chunyan
Associate Professor Chua Lay Lay
Associate Professor Huynh Han Vinh
Associate Professor Lai Yee Hing
Associate Professor Lam Yulin
Associate Professor Suresh Valiyaveettil
Physical Chemistry
Professor Liu Xiaogang
Professor Loh Kian Ping
Professor Steven L. Bernasek
Professor Thorsten Wohland
Professor Wong Ming Wah, Richard
Professor Xu Guo Qin
Associate Professor Ryan P. A. Bettens
Associate Professor Chan Yin Thai
Associate Professor Chen Wei
Associate Professor Chin Wee Shong
Associate Professor Chua Lay Lay
Associate Professor Chuah Gaik Khuan
Associate Professor Christian Albertus Nijhuis
Associate Professor Fan Wai Yip
Associate Professor Stephan Jaenicke
Associate Professor Kang Hway Chuan
Associate Professor Xu Qing-Hua
Associate Professor Zhang Chun
Assistant Professor Goki Eda
Assistant Professor Lu Jiong
Assistant Professor Tan Zhi Kuang
FACULTY RESEARCH AREAS
Theoretical Chemistry
Professor Wong Ming Wah, Richard
Associate Professor Ryan P. A. Bettens
Associate Professor Kang Hway Chuan
Associate Professor Zhang Chun
11
Organic Chemistry
Associate Professor Zhao Yu
Assistant Professor Ge Shaozhong
Assistant Professor Wu Jie
Materials Chemistry
Professor Jagadese J. Vittal
Professor Liu Xiaogang
Professor Loh Kian Ping
Professor Steven L. Bernasek
Professor Wu Jishan
Professor Yao Shao Qin
Associate Professor Ang Siau Gek
Associate Professor Chan Yin Thai
Associate Professor Chen Wei
Associate Professor Chi Chunyan
Associate Professor Chin Wee Shong
Associate Professor Chua Lay Lay
Associate Professor Chuah Gaik Khuan
Associate Professor Stephan Jaenicke
Associate Professor Christian Albertus Nijhuis
Associate Professor Suresh Valiyaveettil
Associate Professor Xu Qing-Hua
Associate Professor Zhang Chun
Assistant Professor Goki Eda
Assistant Professor Lu Jiong
Assistant Professor Tan Zhi Kuang
FACULTY RESEARCH AREAS
12
Energy and Environment
Professor Jagadese J. Vittal
Professor Lee Hian Kee
Professor Li Fong Yau, Sam
Professor Loh Kian Ping
Associate Professor Chen Wei
Associate Professor Chi Chunyan
Associate Professor Chua Lay Lay
Associate Professor Gao Zhiqiang
Associate Professor Simon Watts
Energy and Environment
Associate Professor Ryan P. A. Bettens
Associate Professor Suresh Valiyaveettil
Associate Professor Xu Qing-Hua
Assistant Professor Yeo Boon Siang, Jason
Assistant Professor Tan Zhi Kuang
Catalysis
Professor Li Fong Yau, Sam
Professor Lu Yixin
Professor Wong Ming Wah, Richard
Associate Professor Chuah Gaik Khuan
Associate Professor Fan Wai Yip
Associate Professor Huynh Han Vinh
Associate Professor Stephan Jaenicke
Associate Professor Suresh Valiyaveettil
Associate Professor Zhao Yu
Assistant Professor Ge Shaozhong
Assistant Professor Rowan D. Young
Assistant Professor Wu Jie
Chemical Biology and Biochemistry
Professor Thorsten Wohland
Professor Yao Shao Qin
Associate Professor Ang Wee Han
Associate Professor Lam Yulin
Associate Professor Thomas Walczyk
Assistant Professor Chng Shu Sin
Dr Liu Mei Hui
Medicinal Chemistry
Professor Lu Yixin
Professor Wong Ming Wah, Richard
Professor Yao Shao Qin
FACULTY RESEARCH AREAS
13
Medicinal Chemistry
Associate Professor Ang Wee Han
Associate Professor Lam Yulin
Associate Professor Zhao Yu
Assistant Professor Chng Shu Sin
Assistant Professor Wu Jie
Food Science and Technology
Professor Zhou Weibiao
Associate Professor Huang Dejian
Associate Professor Liu Shaoquan
Assistant Professor Kim Jung Eun
Assistant Professor Yang Hongshun
Dr Leong Lai Peng
Dr Liu Mei Hui
FACULTY RESEARCH AREAS
14
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Professor Steven Lynn BERNASEK
Post-doc., the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, 1975; Ph.D., University ofCalifornia at Berkeley, 1975; B.Sc., Kansas State University, 1971
https://www.yale-nus.edu.sg/about/faculty/steven-lynn-bernasek/
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Director of the Yale-NUS College Science Divisional, 2015 - present
• Arthur W. Adamson ACS Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Surface Chemistry
sponsored by Occidental Petroleum, 2006
• Distinguished visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore, 1991
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Research in our group focuses on several distinct problems including the self-assembly of monolayers
at the solid/liquid interface, organometallic surface chemistry, corrosion inhibition chemistry, the role of
surface-molecule interactions in efficiency of CO2 reduction, the reaction dynamics of gas-surface
interactions of nanotube supported platinum catalysts, nanoplasmonic sensing of nanoparticle
nanocatalysts and surface chemistry of topological insulators. These studies vary widely in scope and
aim but all share the use of surface science instruments and techniques such as electron spectroscopy,
scanning probe microscopy, laser excitation sources, optical spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and X-
ray photoelectron spectroscopy for building a detailed understanding of significant surface related
chemical processes. The following paragraphs describe these studies:
• Mechanisms of Self-Assembled Monolayer Formation
• Organometallic Surface Chemistry
• Corrosion Inhibition Chemistry
• Heterogenous Reduction of CO2
• Dynamics of Gas-Surface Interactions
• Nanoplasmonic Sensing on Model Nanocatalysts
• Topological Insulators
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Klankowski, S.A.; Pandey, G.P.; Malek, G.; Thomas, C.R.; Bernasek, S.L.; Wu, J.; Li, J., Higher-Power
Supercapacitor Electrodes Based on Mesoporous Manganese Oxide Coating on Vertically Aligned
Carbon Nanofibers. Nanoscale 2015, 7, 8485-8494.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Xiao, S.; Ye-Fei, L.; Bernasek, S.L.; Selloni, A. Structure of the NiFe2O4(001) Surface in Contact with
Gaseous O2 and Water Vapour. Surf. Sci. 2015, 640, 73-79.
• Frith, M.G.; Wnuk, J.D.; Chang, M.C.; Ramanarayanan, T.A.; Bernasek, S.L. The Kinetics and
Mechanism of the Selective Oxidation of 20Fe–40Ni–10Mn–30Cr Alloy. Oxid. Met. 2015, 83, 71-88.
• Detweiler, Z.M.; White, J.; Bernasek, S.L.; Bocarsly, A.B. Anodized Indium Metal Electrodes for
Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Reduction in Aqueous Electrolyte. Langmuir 2014, 30, 7593–7600.
16
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Professor LEE Hian Kee
Ph.D., University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1982; B.Sc. (Hons), University of Canterbury, 1978
NUS Provost’s Term Chair Professor (2011-2014)
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/leehk.htm
Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
RESEARCH INTERESTS
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Our main interest lies in the development and applications of miniaturized, solvent-minimized sample
preparation procedures, in combination with chromatographic techniques. A primary objective is to apply
these methods to environmental analysis of contaminants of emerging, etc. We also have an interest to
develop completely integrative, automated analytical platforms for water quality monitoring applications
Ref.: Majedi, S. M.; Lee, H. K. Microextraction and Solventless Techniques, in The Application of Green
Solvents in Separation Processes (Pena-Pereira, F.; Tobiszewski, M., editors) , Elsevier, 2017, pp. 415-450
(invited). This is an invited book chapter that covers solvent minimized and solventless extraction
procedures, and reviews their principles, advantages, limitations, and recent applications and trends.
• Liew, C. S. M.; Li, X.; Lee, H. K. Miniscale Liquid-liquid Extraction Coupled with Full Evaporation Dynamic
Headspace Extraction for the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons with 4000- to 14000-Fold Enrichment. Anal. Chem. 2016, 88 (18), 9095-9102.
• Guo, L.; binte Nawi, N.; Lee, H. K. Fully Automated Headspace Bubble-In-Drop Microextraction. Anal. Chem.
2016, 88 (17), 8409-8414.
• Tang, S.; Zhang, H.; Lee, H. K. Advances in Sample Extraction. Anal. Chem. 2016, 88 (1), 228-249 (invited).
• Guo, L.; Chia, S.H.; Lee, H. K., Automated Agitation-Assisted Demulsification Dispersive Liquid-Liquid
Microextraction. Anal. Chem. 2016, 88 (5), 2548-2552.
• Tang, S.; Lee, H. K. Application of Dissolvable Layered Double Hydroxides as Sorbent in Dispersive Solid-
Phase Extraction and Extraction by Co-Precipitation for the Determination of Aromatic Acid Anions. Anal.
Chem. 2013, 85 (15), 7426-7433.
• Lee, J.; Lee, H. K. Fully Automated Dynamic In-Syringe Liquid-Phase Microextraction and On-Column
Derivatization of Carbamate Pesticides with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometric Analysis. Anal. Chem.
2011, 83 (17), 6856-6861.
• Shen, G.; Lee, H. K. Hollow Fiber-Protected Liquid-Phase Microextraction of Triazine Herbicides. Anal. Chem.
2002, 74 (3), 648-654.
• He, Y.; Lee, H. K. Liquid-Phase Microextraction in a Single Drop of Organic Solvent by Using a Conventional
Microsyringe. Anal. Chem. 1997, 69 (22), 4634-4640.
• Editor, Journal of Chromatography A, 2010 - current; Editorial Board, Journal of Chromatography A, 2004 -
2010
• Member, Editorial Boards, Chemical Data Collections, 2015 - current; Talanta, 2017 - 2019
• Editor, Analytica Chimica Acta, 2005 - 2011; Editorial Advisor, Analytica Chimica Acta, 2003 - 2005
• Member, Advisory Board, Analytical Sciences, 2004 - current
• Member, Editorial Advisory Boards, LC·GC Asia Pacific, 2006 - current; LC·GC Europe, 2008 - current
• Member, International Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society, 2011 - 2015
• Member, International Advisory Board, Analyst, 1997 - 2008
• NUS Outstanding Researcher Award, 2006
• NUS Faculty of Science Outstanding Scientist Award, 2009
• Federation of Asian Chemical Societies Foundation Award, 2009
• Hyflux-Singapore National Institute of Chemistry Award in Environmental Chemistry, 2013
• The Analytical Scientist Power List: “100 Most Influential People in the Analytical Sciences,” 2013, 2015
• Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry
• Fellow, Singapore National Academy of Science
• Fellow, Academy of Sciences Malaysia
17
Professor LI Fong Yau Sam
D.Sc., Ph. D, B. Sc. Imperial College, London, UK
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/lifys.htm
Email: [email protected]
RECENT HIGHLIGHTRef. : Feng, H. T.; Li, P. J.; Rui, G.; Stray, J.; Khan, S.; Chen, S. M.;
Li, S. F. Y., Multiplexing N-glycan analysis by DNA analyzer.
Electrophoresis 2017, 38 (13-14), 1788-1799.
In this paper, a 16-capillary DNA analyzer was coupled with a
magnetic bead glycan purification method to accelerate the
sample preparation procedure and therefore increase N-
glycan assay throughput. Routinely, the labeling dye used for
CE-LIF is 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid (APTS), while
the typical identification method involves matching migration
times with database entries. Two new fluorescent dyes were
used to either cross-validate and increase the glycan
identification precision or simplify sample preparation steps.
Exoglycosidase studies were carried out using neuramididase,
galactosidase and fucosidase to confirm the results of three
dye cross-validation. The optimized method combines the
parallel separation capacity of multiple-capillary separation
with three labeling dye, magnetic bead assisted preparation,
and exoglycosidase treatment to allow rapid and accurate
analysis of N-glycans. These new methods provided enough
useful structural information to permit N-glycan structure
elucidation with only one sample injection.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Feng, H. T.; Su, M.; Rifai, F. N.; Li, P. J.; Li, S. F. Y. Parallel Analysis and Orthogonal Identification of N-Glycans
with Different Capillary Electrophoresis Mechanisms. Anal. Chim. Acta. 2017, 953, 79-86.
• Fung, F. M.; Su, M.; Feng, H. T.; Li, S. F. Y. Extraction, Separation and Characterization of Endotoxins in
Water Samples Using Solid Phase Extraction and Capillary Electrophoresis-Laser Induced Fluorescence. Sci.Rep. 2017, 7, 10774.
• Ji, Y.; Tay, Z. Y.; Li, S. F. Y. Highly Selective Sulfonated Poly(Ether Ether Ketone)/Titanium Oxide Composite
Membranes for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries. J. Membr. Sci. 2017, 539, 197-205.
• Lai, L. K.; Zhang, L. J.; Li, S. F. Y. Evaluation of the Performance of Zero-Electrolyte-Discharge Microbial Fuel
Cell Based on the Type of Substrate. RSC Adv. 2017, 7 (7), 4070-4077.
• Li, P. J.; Ang, A. N.; Feng, H. T.; Li, S. F. Y. Rapid Detection of an Anthrax Biomarker Based on the Recovered
Fluorescence of Carbon Dot-Cu(ii) Systems. J. Mater. Chem. C. 2017, 5 (28), 6962-6972.
• Li, P. J.; Hong, Y. Y.; Feng, H. T.; Li, S. F. Y. An Efficient "Off-On'' Carbon Nanoparticle-Based Fluorescent
Sensor for Recognition of Chromium(VI) and Ascorbic Acid Based on the Inner Filter Effect. J. Mater. Chem.B. 2017, 5 (16), 2979-2988.
• Lin, X. H.; Yin, X. J.; Liu, J. Y.; Li, S. F. Y. Elucidation of Structures of Surface Sulfate Species on Sulfated
Titania and Mechanism of Improved Activity. Appl. Catal. B. 2017, 203, 731-739.
• Yin, X. J.; de Carvalho, L. P.; Chan, M. Y.; Li, S. F. Y. Integrated Metabolomics and Metallomics Analyses in
Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients. Metallomics 2017, 9 (6), 734-743.
RESEARCH INTERESTSAreas of research interest include environmental analysis and sensing, water treatment technologies, waste to
energy, microbial fuel cells, metabolomics, capillary electrophoresis, bioimaging, nanomaterials analysis,
chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
MAJOR RECOGNITION• Outstanding Researcher Award, National University of Singapore/IMRE, 1999
• Dupont Accomplishment Award, DuPont Company, 1993
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
18
Professor LIU Xiaogang
Postdoc, Massachusetts Inst of Tech, 2006; Ph.D., Northwestern Univ, 2004; M.Sc., East Carolina Univ, 1999; B.Sc., Beijing Tech and Business Univ, 1996
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/liuxg.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My general interests are supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology:
• Developing nanoparticle-based ultrasensitive sensor systems for metal ions and biological molecules
Designing novel nanomaterials with high catalytic activity and recyclability
• Synthesizing low-dimensional nanomaterials
• Developing lanthanide-doped fluorescent nanoparticle probes
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• An, Z. F.; Zheng, C.; Tao, Y.; Chen, R. F.; Shi, H. F.; Chen, T.; Wang, Z. X.; Li, H. H.; Deng, R. R.; Liu, X. G.;
Huang, W. Stabilizing Triplet Excited States for Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence. Nat. Mater.2015, 14 (7), 685-690.
• Tian, J.; Zeng, X.; Xie, X. J.; Han, S. Y.; Liew, O. W.; Chen, Y. T.; Wang, L. H.; Liu, X. G. Intracellular
Adenosine Triphosphate Deprivation through Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2015, 137 (20), 6550-6558.
• Deng, R. R.; Qin, F.; Chen, R. F.; Huang, W.; Hong, M. H.; Liu, X. G. Temporal Full-Colour Tuning
through Non-Steady-State Upconversion. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2015, 10 (3), 237-242.
• Wang, F.; Liu, X. G. Multicolor Tuning of Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles by Single Wavelength
Excitation. Acc. Chem. Res. 2014, 47 (4), 1378-1385.
• Xu, H.; Chen, R. F.; Sun, Q.; Lai, W. Y.; Su, Q. Q.; Huang, W.; Liu, X. G. Recent Progress in Metal-Organic
Complexes for Optoelectronic Applications. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2014, 43 (10), 3259-3302.
• Deng, R. R.; Liu, X. G. Optical Multiplexing Tunable Lifetime Nanocrystals. Nature Photonics 2014, 8(1), 10-12.
• Wang, J.; Deng, R.; MacDonald, M. A.; Chen, B.; Yuan, J.; Wang, F.; Chi, D.; Andy Hor, T. S.; Zhang, P.;
Liu, G.; Han, Y.; Liu, X. Enhancing Multiphoton Upconversion through Energy Clustering at Sublattice
Level. Nat Mater. 2014, 13 (2), 157-162.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• NUS Young Investigator Award, 2006
• BASF-SNIC Award in Materials Chemistry 2011
• Chemical Society Reviews Emerging Investigator Lectureship Award 2012
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
The metal-organic complex offers unique optical and
electronic properties arising from the interplay
between the inorganic metal and the organic ligand.
The ability to modify chemical structure through
control over metal-ligand interaction on a molecular
level could directly impact the properties of the
complex. When deposited in thin film form, this class
of materials enables the fabrication of a wide variety
of low-cost electronic and optoelectronic devices.
These include light emitting diodes, solar cells,
photodetectors, field-effect transistors as well as
chemical and biological sensors.
Ref. : Xu, H.; Chen, R. F.; Sun, Q.; Lai, W. Y.; Su, Q. Q.; Huang, W.; Liu, X. G., Recent progress in metal-
organic complexes for optoelectronic applications. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2014, 43 (10), 3259-3302.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
19
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Professor LOH Kian Ping (Provost's Chair)
Postdoc., National Inst. for Material Science, Tsukuba, Japan, 1998; Ph.D.,Oxford Univ., 1996; B.Sc., National Univ. of Singapore, 1994
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/lohkp.htm
Email: [email protected]
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS• Gao, L. B.; Ni, G. X.; Liu, Y. P.; Liu, B.; Neto, A. H. C.; Loh, K. P. Face-To-face Transfer of Wafer-Scale
Graphene Films. Nature 2014, 505 (7482), 190-194.
• Peng, CX.; Loh, K. P., et. al. Reversible Multi-Electron Redox Chemistry of π-Conjugated N-
Containing Heteroaromatic Molecule-Based Organic Cathodes. Nat. Energy 2017, 2, 17074.
• Liu, W.; Loh, K. P. A Two-Dimensional Conjugated Aromatic Polymer via C–C Coupling Reaction.
Nat. Chem. 2017, 9, 563-570.
• Chhowalla, M.; Shin, H. S.; Eda, G.; Li, L. J.; Loh, K. P.; Zhang, H. The Chemistry of Two-Dimensional
Layered Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanosheets. Nat. Chem. 2013, 5 (4), 263-275.
• Lu, J.; Yeo, P. S. E.; Gan, C. K.; Wu, P.; Loh, K. P. Transforming C-60 Molecules into Graphene
Quantum Dots. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2011, 6 (4), 247-252.
• Bao, Q. L.; Zhang, H.; Wang, B.; Ni, Z. H.; Lim, C.; Wang, Y.; Tang, D. Y.; Loh, K. P. Broadband
Graphene Polarizer. Nat. Photonics 2011, 5 (7), 411-415.
• Loh, K. P.; Bao, Q. L.; Eda, G.; Chhowalla, M. Graphene Oxide as a Chemically Tunable Platform for
Optical Applications. Nat. Chem. 2010, 2 (12), 1015-1024.
Ref.: Wei Liu and Kian Ping Loh et. al. A two-dimensional
conjugated aromatic polymer via C–C coupling reaction,.
Nat. Chem. 2017, 9, 563-570
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
MAJOR RECOGNITION• Provost's Chair Professor , 2015-2018
• President’s Science Award 2014
• American Chemical Society Nano Lectureship Award 2013
• University Outstanding Researcher Award 2012
• Dean’s Chair professor 2010
• Faculty Young Scientist Award, NUS, 2009, Outstanding Chemist Award, 2009
• University Young Scientist Award, NUS, 2008
• NRF-CRP award, NRF, 2007
RESEARCH INTERESTS: 2D MATERIALS
General interests include
• 2-D Covalent Organic Framework, Graphene and 2-D Materials, Surface Science
• Hybrid organic-inorganic materials, eg. 2-D Perovskites
• Energy Storage, photocatalysis, porous membrane for separation
20
Professor LU Yixin
Postdoc., Nagoya Univ., 2001; Clinical Research Inst. of Montreal, 2000; Ph.D.,McGill Univ., 2000; M.Sc., Dalian Univ. of Tech., 1991, B.Sc., Fudan Univ., 1991
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/luyx.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Main areas of study are asymmetric organocatalysis//medicinal chemistry. Specific foci include
organocatalytic asymmetric reactions & development of analgesics and anti-cancer agents.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Wang, T.; Yu, Z.; Hoon, D. L.; Phee C. Y.; Lan, Y.;
Lu, Y. Regiodivergent Enantioselective -Additions of
Oxazolones to 2,3-Butadienoates Catalyzed by
Phosphines: Synthesis of ,-Disubstituted -Amino
Acids and N,O-Acetal Derivatives. J. Am. Chem. Soc.
2016, 138, 265-271.
Phosphine-catalyzed regiodivergent enantioselective
C-2- and C-4-selective -additions of oxazolones to
2,3-butadienoates have been developed. The C-4-
selective -addition of oxazolones occurred in a highly
enantioselective manner when 2-aryl-4-alkyl oxazol-5-
(4H)-ones were employed as pronucleophiles. With the
employment of 2-alkyl-4-aryl oxazol-5-(4H)-ones as
the donor, C-2-selective -addition of oxazolones took
place in a highly enantioselective manner.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Yao, W.; Dou, X.; Wen, S.; Wu, J.; Lu, Y. Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Cyclohexadienones via
an Intramolecular Rauhut–Currier Reaction of Allenoates. Nat. Commun. 2016, 7, 13024.
• Wang, T.; Han, X.; Zhong, F.; Yao, W.; Lu, Y. Amino Acid-derived Bifunctional Phosphines for
Enantioselective Transformations. Acc. Chem. Res. 2016, 49, 1369.
• Han, X.; Chan, W.-L.; Yao, W., Wang, Y.; Lu, Y. Phosphine-Mediated Highly Enantioselective
Spirocyclization with Ketimines as Substrates. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 6492.
• Dou, X.; Lu, Y.; Hayashi, T. Base Free Conditions for Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Arylation to
Produce Stereochemically Labile α-Aryl Ketones. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 6739.
• Yao, W.; Dou, X.; Lu, Y. Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyrans through a Phosphine-
Catalyzed [4+2] Annulation of Allenones and ,-Unsaturated -Keto Esters. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015,
137, 54.
• Wang, T. L.; Yao, W. J.; Zhong, F. R.; Pang, G. H.; Lu, Y. X. Phosphine-Catalyzed Enantioselective
gamma-Addition of 3-Substituted Oxindoles to 2,3-Butadienoates and 2-Butynoates: Use of
Prochiral Nucleophiles. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 2964-2968.
• Han, X. Y.; Yao, W. J.; Wang, T. L.; Tan, Y. R.; Yan, Z. Y.; Kwiatkowski, J.; Lu, Y. X. Asymmetric Synthesis
of Spiropyrazolones through Phosphine-Catalyzed [4+1] Annulation. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014,
53, 5643-5647.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Dean’s Chair Professorship, 2013
• GSK-SNIC Award in Organic Chemistry, 2013
• Outstanding Scientist Award & Young Scientist Award, Faculty of Science, NUS, 2013 & 2009
• Outstanding Chemist Award & Young Chemist Award, Department of Chemistry, NUS, 2011, 2010
• Asian Core Program Lectureship Award from Japan, Korea, China & Taiwan, 2009, 2011 & 2012
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
21
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Professor Jagadese J. VITTAL
Postdoc., Univ. of Western Ontario, 1987; Ph.D., Indian Inst. of Science, 1982; M.Sc.,Madurai Univ., 1977; B.Sc., Univ. of Madras, 1975
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/jjvittal.htm
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Outstanding Researcher Award, NUS, 2011
• World Class University Chair Professor, Gyeongsang National University, S. Korea (2009-2013)
• Editorial Board Member, Crystal Growth & Design, from 2012
• Editorial Board Member, Scientific Reports, from 2016
• Erudite Scholar-in-Residence, Kerala State Higher Education Council, India, 2011
RESEARCH INTERESTSSolid state reactivity, inorganic nanomaterials and metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. Current
interests include solid-state reactivity, photochemistry and structural transformations, gels and fibers &
energy storage materials. Currently we are interested in designing multifunctional materials showing
multi-photon absorption, second harmonic generation (SHG) and third harmonic generation (THG)
properties, and creating non-centrosymmetry via defects in CPs and MOFs.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS• Vittal, J. J.; Quah, H. S. Engineering Solid State Structural Transformations of Metal Complexes.
Coord. Chem. Rev. 2017, 342, 1-18 (Invited).
• Vittal, J.J.; Quah, H.S. Photochemical Reactions of Metal Complexes in the Solid State. Dalton Trans.
2017, 46, 7120-7140 (invited Perspective).
• Mulijanto, C. E.; Quah, H. S.; Tan, G. K.; Donnadieu, B.; Vittal, J. J. Curved Crystal Morphology,
Photoreactivity and Photosalient Behaviour of Mononuclear Zn(II) Complexes. IUCrJ 2017, 4, 65-71.
• Medishetty, R.; Park, I. H.; Lee, S. S.; Vittal, J. J. Solid-state Polymerization via [2+2] Cycloaddition
Reaction Involving Coordination Polymers. Chem. Commun. 2016, 51, 3989-4001 (Feature article).
• Hameed, A. S.; Reddy, M. V.; Nagarathinam, M.; Runcevski, T.; Dinnebier, R. E.; Adams, S. Chowdari,
B. V. R.; Vittal, J. J. Room Temperature Large-Scale Synthesis of Layered Frameworks as Low-Cost 4V
Cathode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries. Sci. Reports 2015, 5, 16290 (1-11).
• Quah, H. S.; Chen, W.; Schroder, M. K.; Yang, Y.; Wong, M. W.; Vittal, J. J. Multiphoton Harvesting
Metal Organic Frameworks. Nat. Commun. 2015, 6, 7954.
• Park, I. H.; Medishetty, R.; Lee, H. H.; Mulijanto, C. E.; Quah, H. S.; Lee, S. S.; Vittal, J. J. Formation of a
Syndiotactic Organic Polymer Inside a MOF by a 2+2 Photo-Polymerization Reaction. Angew. Chem.Int. Ed. 2015, 54 , 7313-7317.
• Medishetty, R., Bai, Z., Yang, H., Wong, M. W., Vittal, J. J. Influence of Fluorine Substitution on the
Unusual Solid-State [2+2] Photo Cycloaddition Reaction between an Olefin and an Aromatic Ring.
Cryst. Growth Des. 2015, 15, 4055-4061.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT(Right) This figure depicts a
centrosymmetric 1-D coordination polymer
showing SHG, THG and multo-photon-
excited photo-luminescence depending on
the excitation wavelength used. Ref.: J.Mater. Chem. C, 2017, 5, 2936.
(2nd right) By changing the position of the fluoro substitution in the ligand and modifying the
crystallization conditions, Zn(II) complexes have been shown to exhibit [2+2] photocycloaddition
reactions, mechanical motion under UV light and curved single crystals have been obtained. Ref.: IUCrJ,2017, 4, 65-71.
22
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Professor Thorsten WOHLAND
Postdoc., Stanford Univ.; Ph.D., Swiss Federal Inst. of Technology at Lausanne;Dipl. Phys., Univ. of Heidelberg
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/tw.htmhttp://www.dbs.nus.edu.sg/lab/BFL/index.html
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTSMy group works on the development of new fluorescence spectroscopy techniques for the
measurement of biomolecular interactions in cells, tissues, and organisms. Specific foci are:
• Techniques: Single wavelength excitation fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (SW-FCCS)
and imaging fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (ITIR-FCS, SPIM-FCS)
• Biological systems: Transmembrane protein receptors and peptides and their interaction with
membranes, measurement of biomolecular actions and interactions in living cells and organisms
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS• Huang, S.; Lim S. Y.; Gupta A.; Bag N.; Wohland T. Plasma Membrane Organization and Dynamics is
Probe and Cell Line Dependent. Biochim. Biophys Acta. 2017, 1859 (9 Pt A), 1483-1492
• Sezgin, E.; Azbazdar, Y.; Ng, X. W.; The, C.; Simons, K.; Weidinger, G.; Wohland, T.; Eggeling, C.;
Ozhan, G. Binding of Canonical Wnt Ligands to Their Receptor Complexes Occurs in Ordered Plasma
Membrane Environments. FEBS J. 2017, 284 (15), 2513-2526.
• Karampatzakis, A.; Sankaran, J.; Kandaswamy, K.; Rice, S. A.; Cohen, Y.; Wohland, T. Measurement of
Oxygen Concentrations in Bacterial Biofilms using Transient State Monitoring by Single Plane
Illumination Microscopy. Biomed. Phys. Eng. Express. 2017, 3 (3), 035020.
• Lim, X. X.; Chandramohan, A.; Lim, X. Y.; Bag, N.; Sharma, K. K.; Wirawan, M.; Wohland, T.; Lok, S. M.;
Anand, G. S. Conformational Changes in Intact Dengue Virus Reveal Serotype-Specific Expansion.
Nat. Commun. 2017, 8, 14339.
• Yavas, S.; Macháň, R.; Wohland, T. The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Forms Location-
Dependent Complexes in Resting Cells. Biophys J. 2016, 111 (10), 2241-2254.
• Ng, X. W.; Teh, C.; Korzh, V.; Wohland, T. The Secreted Signaling Protein Wnt3 is Associated with
Membrane Domains In Vivo: a SPIM-FCS Study. Biophys J. 2016, 111(2), 418-429.
• Macháň, R.; Foo, Y. H.; Wohland, T. On the Equivalence of FCS and FRAP: Simultaneous Lipid
Membrane Measurements. Biophys J. 2016, 111(1), 152-161.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTRef. : Ng XW, Teh C, Korzh V, Wohland T. The secreted signaling protein wnt3 is associated with
membrane domains in vivo: a SPIM-FCS study. Biophys J. 2016, 111(2), 418-429.
In recent years our group focused on developing image based fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
(FCS), in which the signal at each pixel of a camera is evaluated to determine the movement of
biomolecules with single molecule sensitivity. For that purpose we need to record on the order of 1000
images per second. To achieve this we have use the recently developed single plane illumination
microscopy (SPIM) and fast sensitive cameras. In this paper, we demonstrate that SPIM-FCS, a
quantitative imaging tool, can be used in live zebrafish. By measuring the molecular movement of
Wnt3-EGFP on cell membranes of the zebrafish cerebellum we were able to determine how Wnt3 – a
morhphogen that activates the Wnt signaling pathway and regulates a multitude of biological
processes ranging from cell proliferation, cell fate specification, differentiation over embryonic
induction to neural patterning – binds specifically to lipid domains. This is the first time to our
knowledge that sub-diffraction limited localization of a morphogen was performed in a live zebrasfish
by measuring morphogen mobilities.
23
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Professor WONG Ming Wah Richard
Postdoc., Yale Univ., 1991; Postdoc., IBM Kingston, USA, 1990; Ph.D., AustralianNational Univ., 1989; B.Sc. & B.Math, Univ. of Newcastle, 1985
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/wongmw.htmhttp://www.nuscqc.weebly.com
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS• Computational quantum chemistry, organocatalysis, hydrogen storage materials, molecular sensors
• Weak intermolecular interactions, molecular recognition, reactive intermediates, computer-aided
drug design
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS• Kee, C. W.; Wong, M. W. In Silico Design of Halogen-Bonding-Based Organocatalyst for Diels-Alder
Reaction, Claisen Rearrangement and Cope-Type Hydroamination. J. Org. Chem. 2016, 81 (17), 7459-7470.
• Quah, H. S.; Chen, W.; Schreyer, M. K.; Yang, H.; Wong, M. W.; Ji, W.; Vittal, J. J. Multiphoton Harvesting
Metal Organic Framework. Nat. Commun. 2015, 6, 7954-7960.
• Yang, H.; Wong, M. W. Oxyanion Hole Stabilization by C-H▪▪▪O Interaction in Transition State - A Three-
Point Interaction Model for Cinchona Alkaloid-Catalyzed Asymmetric Methanolysis of Meso-Cyclic
Anhydrides. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135 (15), 5808-5818.
• Jiang, Z.; Pan, Y.; Zhao, Y.; Ma, T.; Lee, R.; Yang, Y.; Huang, K. W.; Wong, M. W.; Tan, C. H. Synthesis of a
Chiral Quaternary Carbon Center Bearing a Fluorine Atom: Enantioselective & Diastereoselective
Guanidine-Catalyzed Addition of Fluorocarbon Nucleophiles. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2009, 48 (20), 3627-
3631.
• Steudel, R.; Wong, M. W. Dark-Red O8 molecules in Solid Oxygen: Rhomboid Clusters, not S8-like Rings.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2007, 46 (11), 1768-1771.
• Ghosh, T.; Maiya, B. G.; Wong, M. W. Fluoride Ion Receptors Based on Dipyrrolyl Derivatives Bearing
Electron-Withdrawing Groups: Synthesis, Optical and Electrochemical Sensing and Computational Studies. J.Phys. Chem. A. 2004, 108 (51), 11249-11259.
• Wong, M. W. Prediction of a Metastable Helium Compound: HHeF. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122 (26), 6289-
6290.
• Wong, M. W.; Frisch, M. J.; Wiberg, K. B. Solvent Effects. 1. The Mediation of Electrostatic Effects by Solvents.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113 (13), 4776-4782. [Received more 1000 citations].
designed halogen bonding (XB) based catalyst was applied to several important types of organic
reaction, namely Diels-Alder reaction, Claisen rearrangement and cope-type hydroamination. The
calculated catalytic mechanisms and activation barriers of these reactions readily demonstrate that the
designed system is a promising Lewis acid catalyst via halogen bond mode of activation.
MAJOR RECOGNITION• Associate Editor, Australian Journal of Chemistry, 2014 – current
• President, Singapore Catalysis Society, 2011 - 2014
• Advisory Board member, Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2011 - current
• Chairman, 4th Asian Pacific Conference on Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, 2009
• Board Member, Asian Pacific Association on Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, present
• Outstanding Researcher Award, National University of Singapore, 2002
RECENT HIGHLIGHTRef. : Kee, C. W.; Wong, M. W., In Silico Design
of Halogen-bonding-based Organocatalyst for
Diels-Alder, Claisen Reactions & Cope-Type
Hydroamination. J. Org. Chem. 2016, 81 (17),
7459-7470. Using density functional
calculations, we have shown the use of
halogen-bond donors as non-covalent
activators in Lewis acid catalysis. proposed a
new type of triaryl benzene organocatalysts
via multiple halogen bond donors (e.g.
perfluoro-iodophenyl group). This “in silico”
24
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Professor WU Jishan (Dean’s Chair)
Postdoc., Univ. of California at Los Angeles, 2005-2007; Ph.D., Max-Planck Inst.for Polymer Research, 2004; M. Sc., Chinese Acad. of Sciences, 2000; B.Sc.,Wuhan Univ., 1997.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/wujs.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Ref. : W. Zeng, H. Phan, T. S. Herng, T. Y. Gopalakrishna, N. Aratani,
Z. Zeng, H. Yamada, J. Ding, and J. Wu*, “Rylene Ribbons with
Unusual Diradical Character”. Chem 2017, 2, 81-92 (selected as
Cover).
Long rylene ribbons up to dodecarylene were synthesized,
demonstrating very unusual open-shell diradical character! The
research also predicted that the infinite polyrylene ribbon would
show semi-metallic property with a very small band gap (0.21 eV).
• Zeng, W. et al. Rylene Ribbons with Unusual Diradical Character. Chem. 2017, 2, 81-92.
• Lu, X. et al. Fluorenyl Based Macrocyclic Polyradicaloids. J. Am. Chem. Soc. [Online] 2017. DOI:
10.1021/jacs.7b07335.
• Zhang, H. et al. Conformationally Flexible Bis(9-fluorenylidene)porphyrin Diradicaloids. Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. [Online] 2017. DOI: 10.1002/anie.201707480.
• Wang, J. et al. Stable Oxindolyl-based Chichibabin’s Hydrocarbon and Müller’s Hydrocarbon
Analogues. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. [Online] 2017. DOI: 10.1002/anie.201708612.
• Li, G. et al. Toward Stable Superbenzoquinone Diradicaloids. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 5012-
5016.
• Datta, S. et al. Tuning Magnetoresistance in Molybdenum Disulphide and Graphene Using a
Molecular Spin Transition. Nat. Commun. [Online] 2017. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00727-w.
• Lu, X. et al. Stable 3,6-Linked Fluorenyl Radical Oligomers with Intramolecular Anti-Ferromagnetic
Coupling and Polyradical Characters. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 13049-13058.
• Huang, R. et al. Higher Order π-Conjugated Polycyclic Hydrocarbons with Open-Shell Singlet
Ground State: Nonazethrene versus Nonacene. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 10323-10330.
• Das, S. et al. Fully Fused Quinoidal/Aromatic Carbazole Macrocycles with Polyradical Characters. J.Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 7782-7790.
• Zeng, W. et al. Super-Heptazethrene. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 8816-8819.
• Hu, P. et al. Towards Tetraradicaloid: The Effect of Fusion Mode on Radical Character and Chemical
Reactivity. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 1065-1077.
• Ni, Y. et al. Diradical Approach towards BODIPY Based Near-Infrared Dyes with Intense Absorption
around 1100 nm. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 2815-2819.
• Zeng, Z. et al. Pro-aromatic and Anti-aromatic π-Conjugated Molecules: An Irresistible Wish to be
Diradicals. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2015, 44 , 6578-6596.
• Sun, Z. et al. Zethrenes, Extended p-Quinodimethanes, and Periacenes with a Singlet Biradical
Ground State. Acc. Chem. Res. 2014, 47, 2582-2591.
MAJOR RECOGNITION• NUS Young Investigator Award, NUS, 2007
• Singapore Young Scientist Award, 2010
• NUS Young Researcher Award, 2012
• BASF-SNIC Award on Materials Chemistry, 2012
• Dean’s Chair Professor, 2014
Novel aromatic systems and materials & Supramolecular Chemistry
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
25
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Professor XU Guo Qin
Postdoc., Univ. of Toronto, 1991; Postdoc., Brookhaven National Lab, 1989;Ph.D., Princeton Univ., 1987; B.Sc., Fudan Univ., 1982
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/xugq.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Surface chemistry
• Nanostructures and photocatalysis
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Mao, W.; He, J.H.; Gu, J.Q.; Chen, W.; Wu,
K.; Tok, E.S.; Xu, G.Q., Preservation of epoxy
groups on surfaces in the covalent attachment
of butadiene monoxide on Si(111)-(7 x 7): the
effect of a vinyl substituent. Chem. Commun.2015, 51, 14195-14198.
Adsorption of butadiene monoxide on Si(111)-
(7 x 7) has been scrutinized by high-resolution
electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS),
scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and
density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
The experimental results indicate that surface
reaction occurs through a [2+2]-like
cycloaddition, which is further supported by
the DFT studies.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Wang, F. G.; Xu, L .L.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, Y.; Li, H.; Li, H. X.; Wu, K.; Xu, G. Q.; Chen, W.,Tuning the Metal-
Support Interaction in Catalysts for Highly Efficient Methane Dry Reforming Reaction. Appl. Cat. B:
Env. 2016, 180, 511–520.
• Mao, W.; He, J.H.; Gu, J.Q.; Chen, W.; Wu, K.; Tok, E.S.; Xu, G.Q. Preservation of Epoxy Groups on
Surfaces in the Covalent Attachment of Butadiene Monoxide on Si(111)-(7 X 7): the Effect of a Vinyl
Substituent. Chem. Commun. 2015, 51, 14195-14198.
• He, J.H.; Mao, W.; Xu, G.Q.; Tok, E.S. Orbital Resolution of Molecules Covalently Attached to a Clean
Semiconductor Surface. Nat. Commun. 2014, 5, 5.
• Mao, W.; He, J.H.; Chen, W.; Wu, K.; Cheng, H.S.; Xu, G.Q. Resolving Molecular Orbitals Self-
Decoupled from Semiconductor Surfaces. Chem. Sci. 2014, 5, 4447-4452.
• Mao, W.; He, J.H.; Gu, J.Q.; Xu, G.Q.; Tok, E.S. Reaction Mechanism and Regioselectivity of Methyl
Oxirane on Si(111)-(7 X 7). J. Phys. Chem. C. 2014, 118 (37), 21509-21516.
• He, J.H.; Mao, W.; Gu, J.Q.; Xu, G.Q.; Tok, E.S. Self-Assembled Molecular Wires and Highly Ordered
Monolayer: Thiazole on Ge(100). J. Phys. Chem. C. 2013, 117 (37), 19115-19118.
• He, J.H.; Mao, W.; Gao, J.K.; Xu, G.Q. Theoretical Investigation of Ge(100) Nitridation by Nitric Oxide:
Monomeric or Dimeric Dissociation?. J. Phys. Chem. C. 2013, 117 (33), 17111-17118.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• National Youth Award for Excellence in Science and Technology, Singapore National Youth Council,
1997
Schematic representation of possible binding
configurations of butadiene monoxide on Si(111)-
(7x7)
26
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Professor YAO Shao Qin
Postdoc. 1998-2001, Scripps Research Institute & Univ. of California Berkeley;Ph.D., Purdue Univ., 1998; B.Sc., Ohio State Univ., 1993
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/yaosq.htm
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Member of the International Scientific Advisory Board, Angewandte Chemie,
• Dean’s Chair Professor, National University of Singapore (2009-2012)
• ASAIHL-Scopus Young Scientist Award (2008), international
• Outstanding Scientist Award, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapaore, 2007
• Mr & Mrs Sun Chan Memorial Award, International, 2006
• Young Research Award, National University of Singapore, 2005
• Young Investigator Award, A*STAR Singapore, 2002
RESEARCH INTERESTS
“Catalomics” - We are interested in developing powerful strategies in Chemical Biology and Chemical
Proteomics that enable organism-wide, high-throughput studies of enzymes. Specific foci are:
• Chemical Biology
• Medicinal Chemistry
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Ge, J.; Zhang, C.-W.; Ng, X.W.; Peng, B.; Pan, S.; Du, S. Wang, D.; Li, L.; Lim, K.-L.; Wohland, T.; Yao,
S.Q.*, “A Suite of Puromycin Analogs Capable of Multiplexed Imaging and Profiling of Protein Synthesis
and Dynamics in Live Cells and Neurons”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2016, 55, 4933-4937.
PREMIUM PUBLICATION
• Yu, C.; Qian, L.; Ge, J.; Fu, J.; Yuan, P.; Yao, S. Q. Cell-Penetrating Poly(disulfide)-Assisted Intracellular
Delivery of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Inhibition of miR-21 Functions and Detection of
Subsequent Therapeutic Effects. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 9272-9276.
• Li, Z.; Qian, L.; Li, L.; Bernhammer, J. C.; Huynh, H. V.; Lee, J.-S.; Yao, S. Q. Tetrazole Photoclick Chemistry:
Reinvestigating Its Suitability as a Bioorthogonal Reaction and Potential Applications. Angew. Chem. Int.Ed., 2016, 55, 2002-2006.
• Fu, J.; Yu, C.; Li, L.; Yao, S.Q. Intracellular Delivery of Functional Proteins and Native Drugs by Cell-
Penetrating Poly(disulfide)s. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137 (37), 12153-12160.
• Yu, C. M.; Qian, L. H.; Uttamchandani, M.; Li, L.; Yao, S. Q. Single-Vehicular Delivery of Antagomir and Small
Molecules to Inhibit miR-122 Function in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by using "Smart" Mesoporous
Silica Nanoparticles. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54 (36), 10574-10578.
• Li, L.; Zhang, C. W.; Ge, J. Y.; Qian, L. H.; Chai, B. H.; Zhu, Q.; Lee, J. S.; Lim, K. L.; Yao, S. Q. A Small-Molecule
Probe for Selective Profiling and Imaging of Monoamine Oxidase B Activities in Models of Parkinson's
Disease. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54 (37), 10821-10825.
• Na, Z. K.; Peng, B.; Ng, S. K.; Pan, S. J.; Lee, J. S.; Shen, H. M.; Yao, S. Q. A Small-Molecule Protein-Protein
Interaction Inhibitor of PARP1 that Targets Its BRCT Domain. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54 (8), 2515-
2519.
• Li, L.; Zhang, C. W.; Chen, G. Y. J.; Zhu, B. W.; Chai, C.; Xu, Q. H.; Tan, E. K.; Zhu, Q.; Lim, K. L.; Yao, S. Q. A
Sensitive Two-Photon Probe to Selectively Detect Monoamine Oxidase B Activity in Parkinson's Disease
Models. Nat. Commun. 2014, 5, 10.
“Tag” and “See”: We have developed a suite of
cell-permeable puromycin analogs capable of
multiplexed imaging of newly synthesized
proteins in live cells and neurons. For the first
time, diffusion dynamics of newly synthesized
proteins inside live neuron-like dendritic cells
were quantitatively measured, revealing a
heterogeneous behavior.
27
Professor ZHOU Weibiao
Postdoc., Univ. of Waterloo, 1991; Ph.D., Univ. of Queensland, 1991; M.Eng.,Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1985; B.Sc., Beijing Univ. of ChemicalTechnology, 1982
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/zhouwb.htmhttp://www.fst.nus.edu.sg/OurPeople/ZhouW.html
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Editor, Food Control, Elsevier, 2015-present; Int. Journal of Food Properties, Taylor & Francis, 2007-2015.
• Member, Editorial Boards of the following SCI-indexed journals: International Journal of Food Engineering,
De Gruyter, 2004-present; Food and Bioprocess Technology, Springer, 2007-present; Food EngineeringReviews, Springer, 2008-present; Czech Journal of Food Sciences, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences,
2012-present; Trends in Food Science & Technology, Elsevier, 2014-present; Scientific Reports, Nature
Publishing Group, 2014-present; Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, American Chemical Society
(ACS), 2015-present.
• Fellow, Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST), elected in 2007
• Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), UK, elected in 2013
• Fellow, International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST), elected in 2016
• Fellow, Singapore Institute of Food Science and Technology (SIFST), elected in 2017.
• MND Medallion, Ministry of National Development (MND), Singapore, November 2015.
• Board Member, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), 2008-2015
• Member-at-large, Executive Committee, International Society of Food Engineering (ISFE), 2006-present
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS• Gao, J.; Tay, S. L.; Koh, A. H. S.; Zhou, W. Dough and Bread Made from High- and Low- Protein Flours by
Vacuum Mixing: Part 2. Yeast Activity, Dough Proofing and Bread Quality. J. Cereal Sci. 2017, 77, 275-283.
• Huang, J.-Y.; Limqueco, J.; Chieng, Y. Y.; Li, X. and Zhou, W. Performance Evaluation of a Novel Food
Packaging Material Based on Clay/Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanocomposite. Innov. Food Sci. Emerging Technol.
2017, 43, 216-222
• Gao, J.; Koh, A. H. S.; Tay, S.L.; Zhou, W. Dough and Bread Made from High- and Low- Protein Flours by
Vacuum Mixing: Part 1: Gluten Network Formation. J. Cereal Sci. 2017, 74, 288-295.
• Kondakci, T.; Zhou, W. Recent Applications of Advanced Control Techniques in Food Industry. Food
Bioprocess Technol. 2017, 10(3), 522-542.
• Tham, T. W .Y.; Yeoh, A. T. H.; and Zhou, W. Characterisation of Aged Infant Formulas and Physicochemical
Changes. Food Chem. 2017, 219, 117-125.
• Tham, T. W. Y.; Xu, X.; Yeoh, A. T. H.; and Zhou, W. Investigation of Caking by Fat Bridging in Aged Infant
Formula. Food Chemi. 2017, 218, 30-39.
• Yu, H.; Seow, Y.-X.; Ong, P. K. C.; Zhou, W. Effects of High-intensity Ultrasound on Maillard Reaction in a
Model System of D-Xylose and L-Lysine. Ultrason. Sonochem. 2017, 34, 154-163.
Temporal dominance of sensation (TDS) curves
RECENT HIGHLIGHTRef. : Gao, J.; Ong, J.J.X.; Henry, J. Zhou, W. Physical breakdown of
bread and its impact on texture perception: a dynamic perspective.
Food Quality and Preference 2017, 60, 96-104.
Bolus hydrated sensation was largely used by the panellist to gauge
the swallowing point while bolus texture was used in a feedback
control to regulate the mastication behaviour.
RESEARCH INTERESTSMy interests are in food processing and food engineering; particularly baking processes, dairy processes,
drying processes, functional foods, food process modelling and optimisation, advanced process control, and
the effect of food processing on functional components such as antioxidants, isoflavones and probiotics.
Specific foci are:
• Innovative processing technologies for next-generation functional foods
• Modeling, optimisation, and advanced control of food processes
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
28
Associate Professor ANG Siau Gek
Ph.D., Cambridge Univ., 1987; M.Sc., National Univ. of Singapore, 1984; B.Sc.,National Univ. of Singapore, 1981
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/angsg.htm
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Chevalier in the Order of the Palmes Academiques, French Ministry of Youth, Education and
Research, 2004
• Public Administration Medal (Bronze), National Day Awards, Singapore, 2010.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We study structures of organometallic compounds using a variety of spectroscopic and other physical
techniques including X-ray diffraction and surface analytical methods. Our current main interest is in the
fabrication and study of organometallic nanostructures.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Gu, F.; Xu, G.Q.; Ang, S.G., Fabrication of CuTAPc polymer nanowires and nanotubes by
electropolymerization. Nanotechnology 2008, 19, 145606.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Yap, C.M.; Xu, G.Q.; Ang, S.G. Amperometric Nitric Oxide Sensor Based on Nanoporous Platinum
Phthalocyanine Modified Electrodes. Anal. Chem. 2013, 85, 107-113.
• Wu, J.; Xu, T.; Ang, S.G.; Xu, Q.-H.; Xu, G.Q. Radially-Oriented Anthracene Nanowire Arrays:
Preparation, Growth Mechanism, and Optical Fluorescence. Nanoscale 2011, 3, 1855-1860.
• Wu, J.; Binni, V.; Zhou, X.; Teo, S.Y.; Sow, C.H.; Ang, S.G.; Xu, G.Q. Interconnected Networks of
Zn(NO3)(2)center dot 6(H2O) Nanotubes and Its Solid-Phase Transformation into Porous Zinc
Oxide Architectures. Chem. Mater. 2010, 22 (4) , 1533-1539.
• Gu, F.; Sow, C.H.; Xu, G.Q.; Ang, S.G. Fabrication and Field Emission Properties of Poly-CuTAPc
Nanowires and Nanotubes. Aust. J. Chem. 2009, 62, 1-7.
• Gu, F.; Xu, G.Q.; Ang, S.G. Studies on CuTAPc-Nanotube-Modified Electrodes as Chemical Sensors
for NO. Nanotechnology 2009, 20, 305501.
• Gu, F.; Xu, G.Q.; Ang, S.G. Fabrication of CuTAPc Polymer Nanowires and Nanotubes by
Electropolymerization. Nanotechnology 2008, 19, 145606.
• Sun, B. W.; Zhang, M. S.; Yang, G. Y.; Ang, S. G.; Ang, H. G. Decacarbonyl-1K3C,2K3C,3K4C-(m-
Pentafluorophenyl – Hydrazine – 1KN : 2KN ) - Triangulo-Triosmium: a Hydrazino-Edge-Bridged
Triangular Triosmium Cluster. Acta Crystallogr. E. 2005, 61, M2419-M2420.
We are studying the fabrication of amine derivatives of
metal phthalocyanines (MTAPc) as organometallic
nanowires via electropolymerization using porous alumina
filters as templates. The characterization of these
nanowires is carried out using field-emission scanning
electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and the interaction of these
polymeric nanowires with oxidising gases is being
investigated for possible applications as chemical sensors.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
29
Associate Professor ANG Wee Han
Postdoc., Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 2009; Ph.D., Ecole PolytechniqueFédérale de Lausanne, 2007; B.Sc. (Hons), Imperial College of Science,Technology and Medicine, 1995
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/angwh.htmhttp://weehan.sgresearcher.net
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We are interested in the development of therapeutic metallopharmaceuticals and techniques to
investigate the interactions of transition metal-based drugs with their biological targets.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Chow, M. J.; Alfiean, M.; Pastorin, G.; Gaiddon, C.; Ang, W. H., Apoptosis-independent
organoruthenium anticancer complexes that overcome multidrug resistance: self-assembly and
phenotypic screening strategies. Chem. Sci. 2017, 8, 3641-3649.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Chow, M. J.; Alfiean, M.; Pastorin, G.; Gaiddon, C.; Ang, W. H. Apoptosis-Independent
Organoruthenium Anticancer Complexes that Overcome Multidrug Resistance: Self-assembly and
Phenotypic Screening Strategies. Chem. Sci. 2017, 8, 3641-3649.
• Chow, M. J.; Licona, C.; Pastorin, G.; Mellitzer, G.; Ang, W. H.; Gaiddon, C. Structural Tuning of
Organoruthenium Compounds Allows Oxidative Switch to Control ER Stress Pathways and Bypass
Multidrug Resistance. Chem. Sci. 2016, 7, 4117-4124.
• Wong, D. Y. Q.; Ong, W. W. F.; Ang, W. H. Induction of Immunogenic Cell Death by
Chemotherapeutic Platinum Complexes. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54 (22), 6483-6487.
• Wong, D. Y. Q.; Lim, J. H.; Ang, W. H. Induction of Targeted Necrosis with HER2-Targeted
Platinum(IV) Anticancer Prodrugs. Chem. Sci. 2015, 6 (5), 3051-3056.
• Chow, M. J.; Licona, C.; Wong, D. Y. Q.; Pastorin, G.; Gaiddon, C.; Ang, W. H. Discovery and
Investigation of Anticancer Ruthenium-Arene Schiff-Base Complexes via Water-Promoted
Combinatorial Three-Component Assembly. J. Med. Chem. 2014, 57 (14), 6043-6059.
• Wong, D. Y. Q.; Yeo, C. H. F.; Ang, W. H. Immuno-Chemotherapeutic Platinum(IV) Prodrugs of
Cisplatin as Multimodal Anticancer Agents. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53 (26), 6752-6756.
• Chin, C. F.; Yap, S. Q.; Li, J.; Pastorin, G.; Ang, W. H. Ratiometric Delivery of Cisplatin and Doxorubicin
Using Tumour-Targeting Carbon-Nanotubes Entrapping Platinum(IV) Prodrugs. Chem. Sci. 2014, 5(6), 2265-2270.
• Montagner, D.; Yap, S. Q.; Ang, W. H. A Fluorescent Probe for Investigating the Activation of
Anticancer Platinum(IV) Prodrugs Based on the Cisplatin Scaffold. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52(45), 11785-11789.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
EPFL Doctorate Prize, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 2008.
Multidrug resistance is a major
impediment to chemotherapy
and limits the efficacies of
conventional anticancer drugs. A
phenotypic screening strategy
was developed to identify new
drug candidates capable of
inducing apoptosis-independent
programmed cell death and
therefore bypass multidrug
resistance is to develop.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
30
Associate Professor Ryan P. A. BETTENS
Postdoc., Australian National Univ., 1999; Postdoc., Ohio State Univ., 1996;Postdoc., ETH, 1994; Ph.D., Monash Univ., 1992; B.Sc., Univ. of Queensland, 1986
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/bettens.htm
Email: [email protected]
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Ng, Y.-H.; Bettens, R. P. A. Comparing Vibrationally Averaged Nuclear Shielding Constants by
Quantum Diffusion Monte Carlo and Second-Order Perturbation Theory. J. Phy. Chem. A. 2016, 120(8), 1297-1306.
• Ouyang, J. F.; Bettens, R. P. A. Many-Body Basis Set Superposition Effect. J. Chem. Theory Comput.2015, 11 (11), 5132-5143.
• Collins, M. A.; Bettens, R. P. A. Energy-Based Molecular Fragmentation Methods. Chem. Rev. 2015,
115 (12), 5607-5642.
• Collins, M. A.; Cvitkovic, M. W.; Bettens, R. P. A. The Combined Fragmentation and Systematic
Molecular Fragmentation Methods. Acc. Chem. Res. 2014, 47 (9), 2776-2785.
• Ouyang, J. F.; Cvitkovic, M. W.; Bettens, R. P. A. Trouble with the Many-Body Expansion. J. Chem.Theory Comput. 2014, 10 (9), 3699-3707.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Collins, M. A.; Bettens, R. P. A., Energy-Based Molecular Fragmentation Methods. Chem. Rev. 2015,
115 (12), 5607-5642.
In the highlighted review we surveyed the numerous energy-based molecular fragmentation methods
in the literature, including our own Combined Fragmentation Method. These fragmentation methods
allow for the theoretical study of large chemical systems, such as molecular clusters and biomolecules,
by decreasing the computational cost. The large chemical system is broken up into small fragments and
the fragments are selectively interacted to recover the energetics of the original system. The review
discusses how various fragmentation methods break up the molecule and the choice of interactions
between fragments. We also reviewed the possible applications including prediction of NMR, crystal
structures and reaction mechanisms.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research area is in the understanding and accurate description, via computational chemistry, of
inter- and intra-molecular interactions. Ultimately the understanding and description will be applied to
the dynamics of large systems like proteins and nucleic acids. Specific foci are:
• Accurately describe and predict enzyme-substrate interactions
• Accurately describe water and its interactions with large molecules
• Performance of first-principle molecular dynamics of an enzyme and substrate
Right: (A) Fragmentation methods
break up a molecule into small
fragments and interacts these
fragments to recover the original
system. (B) This allows for the study of
the properties of large chemical
systems, for example mapping out the
electrostatic potential of a large
protein to discover potential target
sites for drug design.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
31
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Associate Professor CHAN Yin Thai
Postdoc., Stanford Univ., 2006-2008; Ph.D., Massachusetts Inst. ofTechnology, 2006; B.Sc., Univ. of California at Berkeley, 2001
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/chanyt.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research interests generally lie in the development of novel hierarchically complex semiconductor
nanomaterials for optoelectronic , photocatalytic and biological imaging applications. Specific foci are:
• Biological and chemical sensing using nanoparticle-based multilayer microfluidics
• Synthesis and characterization of hybrid metal-semiconductor nanostructures
• Developing the surface chemistry of semiconductor nanoparticles for bio-imaging
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Chakrabortty, S.; Guchhait, A.; Ong, X.; Mishra, N.; Wu, W.; Jhon, M. H.; Chan, Y. Facet to Facet
Linking of Shape Anisotropic Inorganic Nanocrystals with Site Specific and Stoichiometric Control.
Nano Lett., 2016, 16 (10), pp 6431–6436
• Li, M.; Zhi, M.; Zhu, H.; Wu, W.-Y.; Xu, Q.-H.; Jhon, M. H.; Chan, Y. Ultralow-Threshold Multiphoton-
Pumped Lasing from Colloidal Nanoplatelets in Solution. Nat. Commun. 2015, 6.• Wu, W. Y.; Li, M. J.; Lian, J.; Wu, X. Y.; Yeow, E. K. L.; Jhon, M. H.; Chan, Y. Efficient Color-Tunable
Multiexcitonic Dual Wavelength Emission from Type II Semiconductor Tetrapods. ACS Nano 2014, 8(9), 9349-9357.
• Lian, J.; Xu, Y.; Lin, M.; Chan, Y. Aqueous-Phase Reactions on Hollow Silica-Encapsulated
Semiconductor Nanoheterostructures. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134 (21), 8754-8757.
• Liao, Y. L.; Xing, G. C.; Mishra, N.; Sum, T. C.; Chan, Y. Low Threshold, Amplified Spontaneous
Emission from Core-Seeded Semiconductor Nanotetrapods Incorporated into a Sol-Gel Matrix. Adv.Mater. 2012, 24 (23), OP159-OP164.
• Mishra, N.; Lian, J.; Chakrabortty, S.; Lin, M.; Chan, Y. Unusual Selectivity of Metal Deposition on
Tapered Semiconductor Nanostructures. Chem. Mater. 2012, 24 (11), 2040-2046 .
• Li, X. H.; Lian, J.; Lin, M.; Chan, Y., Light-Induced Selective Deposition of Metals on Gold-Tipped
CdSe-Seeded CdS Nanorods. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133 (4), 672-675.
• Chakrabortty, S.; Yang, J. A.; Tan, Y. M.; Mishra, N.; Chan, Y. Asymmetric Dumbbells from Selective
Deposition of Metals on Seeded Semiconductor Nanorods. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010, 49 (16),
2888-2892.
MAJOR RECOGNITION• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Postdoctoral Fellow , Stanford University , 2006-2008
• Excellent Young Teacher Award, Faculty of Science, NUS, 2012
• Distinguished Lectureship Award from the Chemical Society of Japan, 2014
32
Associate Professor CHEN Wei
Postdoc National University of Singapore, 2004-2008, Ph.D., NationalUniversity of Singapore., 2004; B.Sc., Nanjing Univ., 2001
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/chenwei.htmhttp://www.chenweilab.com/
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The broad objective of my research is to have molecular-scale understanding of the interface properties
for molecular, organic and graphene electronics, to provide design rules for effective interface
engineering approaches to improve device performance and materials efficiency, with particular
emphasis on the interface-controlled interface engineering for organic and 2D materials based
functional devices, and interface-controlled nanocatalysis for energy and environmental issues.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Surface Functionalization of Black Phosphorus via Potassium towards High Performance
Complementary Devices” Han C, Hu ZH, C. Gromes L, Bao Y, Carvalho A, Tan SJR, Lei B, Xiang D, Wu J,
Wang L, Huo FW, Huang W, Loh KP, Chen W, Nano Letter 17, 4122-4129 (2017)
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Hu, Z. H.; Li, Q.; Lei, B.; Zhou, Q. H.; Xiang, D.; Lyu, Z. Y.; Hu, F.; Wang, J. L.; Ren, Y. J.; Guo, R.; Goki, E.;
Wang, L.; Han, C.; Wang, J. L.; Chen, W. Water-Catalyzed Oxidation of Few-Layer Black Phosphorous
in Dark Environment. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 9131-9137.
• Zhang, J. L.; Zhao, S. T.; Han, C.; Wang, Z. Z.; Zhong, S.; Sun, S.; Guo, R.; Zhou, X.; Gu, C. D.; Yuan, K.
D.; Li, Z. Y.; Chen, W. Epitaxial Growth of Single Layer Blue Phosphorene: A New Phase of Two-
Dimensional Phosphorus. Nano Lett. 2016, 16, 4903-4908.
• Zhang, J. L.; Wang, Z. Z.; Zhong, J. Q.; Yuan, K. D.; Shen, Q.; Xu, L. L.; Niu, T. C.; Gu, C. D.; Wright, C. A.;
Tadich, A.; Qi, D. C.; Li, H. X.; Wu, K.; Xu, G. Q.; Li, Z. Y.; Chen, W. Single-Molecule Imaging of
Activated Nitrogen Adsorption on Individual Manganese Phthalocyanine. Nano Lett. 2015, 15 (5),
3181-3188 .
• Xiang, D.; Han, C.; Wu, J.; Zhong, S.; Liu, Y. Y.; Lin, J. D.; Zhang, X. A.; Hu, W. P.; Özyilmaz, B.; Castro, N.
A. H.; Wee, A. T. S.; Chen, W. Surface Transfer Doping Induced Effective Modulation on Ambipolar
Characteristics of Few-layer Black Phosphorus. Nat. Commun. 2015, 6, 8.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• NUS Dean’s Chair Professor, 2016
• Singapore Young Scientist Award, Singapore, 2012
• NUS Young Investigator Award, Singapore, 2010
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
33
Associate Professor CHI Chunyan
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We are interested in the development of novel pi-structures and synthesis of high performance
conjugated materials for organic electronics and sensors
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Wang, Q.; Gopalakrishna, T. Y.; Phan, H.; Herng, T. S.; Dong, S.; Ding, J.; Chi, C.*, Cyclopenta Ring
Fused Bisanthene and Its Charged Species with Open-Shell Singlet Diradical Character and Global
Aromaticity/ Anti-Aromaticity. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 55, 11415-11419.
Cyclopenta ring fused bisanthene and its charged species were synthesized. The neutral compound
has open-shell singlet ground state and displays global anti-aromaticity. The dication also exhibits
singlet diradical character but has a unique [10]annulenewithin-[18]annulene global aromatic
structure. The dianion is closed shell singlet in ground state and shows global aromaticity with 22 π
electrons delocalized along the periphery. Our research gave new insight into the design and
properties of global aromatic/anti-aromatic systems based on π-conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbons.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Wang, Q.; Gopalakrishna, T. Y.; Phan, H.; Herng, T. S.; Dong, S.; Ding, J.; Chi, C. Cyclopenta Ring
Fused Bisanthene and Its Charged Species with Open-Shell Singlet Diradical Character and Global
Aromaticity/ Anti-Aromaticity. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 55, 11415-11419.
• Dong, S.; Herng, T. S.; Gopalakrishna, T. Y.; Phan, H.; Lim, Z. L.; Hu, P.; Webster, R. D.; Ding, J.; Chi, C.
Extended Bis(benzothia)quinodimethanes and Their Dications: From Singlet Diradicaloids to
Isoelectronic Structures of Long Acenes. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 9316-9320. [Hot Paper]
• Dai, G.; Chang, J.; Luo, J.; Dong, S.; Aratani, N.; Zheng, B.; Huang, K.-W.; Yamada, H.; Chi, C. Z-
Shaped Pentaleno- Acene Dimers with High Stability and Low Band Gap. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.,2016, 55, 2693-2696. [Highlighted in SYNFACTS 2016, 12, 0360].
• Yang, X. Shi, X.; Aratani, N.; Gonçalves, T. P.; Huang, k.-W.; Yamada, H.; Chi, C.; Miao, Q.
Benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-b]fluorene: an isomeric motif for pentacene containing linearly fused five-
, six- and seven-membered rings. Chem. Sci. 2016, 7, 6176-6181. [Highlighted in SYNFACTS 2016,
12, 0916]
• Shi, X.; Kueh, W.; Zheng, B.; Huang, K.W.; Chi, C. Dipolar Quinoidal Acene Analogues as Stable
Isoelectronic Structures of Pentacene and Nonacene. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 14412-14416.
[Highlighted in SYNFACTS 2016, 12, 0034]
• Ye, Q.; Chi, C. Recent Highlights and Perspectives on Acene Based Molecules and Materials. Chem.Mater. 2014, 26, 4046-4056. [Invited Perspective]
Postdoc., Univ. California at Santa Barbara, 2007; Ph.D., Max-Planck-Inst. forPolymer Res., 2004.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/chicy.htm
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Distinguished Lectureship Award from Chemical Society of Japan, 2017
• Department Young Chemist Award, Department of Chemistry, NUS, 2016
• Asian Core Program Lectureship Award from Japan, China and Taiwan, 2013 & 2014
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
34
Associate Professor CHIN Wee Shong
Commewealth Fellowship., Univ. of Bristol, 1994; Ph.D., National Univ. ofSingapore, 1993; B.Sc.(Hons), National Univ. of Singapore, 1987
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/chinws.htm
Email: [email protected]
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Loh, P. Y.; Lee, K K.; Ng, Y.; Sow, C. H.; Chin, W. S.,
Co/Al Layered Double Hydroxides Nanostructures: A
Binderless Electrode for Electrochemical Capacitor.
Electrochem. Commun. 2014, 43, 9–12.
We prepare Co/Al layered double hydroxides (LDH)
nanoflakes supported on Co nanowires as a binderless
electrode for electrochemical capacitor. This is the first
report AAO template is used as a source of Al3+ to form
the LDH directly. Capacitance was found to increase with
the amount of Co/Al-LDH. This content is controllable by
varying the duration of alkaline treatment. High
capacitance of 0.510 F/cm2 was achieved for sample
containing 12% Al measured at current density 2.5
mA/cm2 in 1 M KOH. The electrodes also exhibited good
stability, maintaining more than 90% of their original
capacitance after 3000 continuous charge–discharge
cycles.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Subha, R.; Nalla, V.; Lim, E. J. Q.; Vijayan, C.; Huang, B. B. S.; Chin, W. S.; Ji, W. Slow Down of Charge
Transfer Owing to Auger Recombination and Two-Photon Action Cross-Section of CdS-CdSe-CdS
Segmented Nanorods. ACS Photonics 2015, 2 (1), 43-52.
• Lee, K. K.; Chin, W. S.; Sow, C. H. Cobalt-Based Compounds and Composites as Electrode Materials
for High-Performance Electrochemical Capacitors. J. Mater. Chem. A. 2014, 2 (41), 17212-17248.
• Lee, K. K.; Loh, P. Y.; Sow, C. H.; Chin, W. S. CoOOH Nanosheet Electrodes: Simple Fabrication for
Sensitive Electrochemical Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide and Hydrazine. Biosens. Bioelectron. 2013,39 (1), 255-260.
• Zhang, Z. H.; Lu, M. H.; Xu, H. R.; Chin, W. S. Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Zinc Oxide: a Simple
Method for the Preparation of Metal Oxide Nanocrystals in Non-Aqueous Medium. Chem. Eur. J.2007, 13 (2), 632-638.
• Chin, W.S.; Sow, C.H.; Wee, A.T.S. Science at the Nanoscale - An Introductory Textbook; Pan Stanford
Publishing, Singapore, 2010.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research focuses on the fabrication and applications of nanostructures and their hybrids. We
explore methodologies to synthesize size-, morphology- and phase-controllable nanomaterials, and to
fabricate them into heterostructured or hybrid materials for specific applications. Current projects
include synthesis of doped and layered oxide/hydroxide nanocomposites for energy, sensor and
photocatalytic applications.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• University Quality Service Award , NUS, 2005
• Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, Faculty of Science, NUS, 2007 & 2008
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
35
Associate Professor CHUA Lay Lay
Ph.D., Univ. of Cambridge, 2007; Research Fellow, ONDL, Physics, NUS (2004-2008); Research Associate, Cavendish Laboratory, Univ. of Cambridge (2002-2003); Member of Technical Staff, Bell Laboratories (2001-2002); Engineer, thenPrincipal Engineer, Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing (1995-2001); B.Sc.Computational Chemistry, NUS (1995)
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/chualaylay.htmhttp://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/~ondl/
Email: [email protected]
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Tang C.G., Ang M.C.Y., Choo K.K., Keerthi V., Tan J.K., Nur Syafiqah M., Kugler T., Burroughes J.H., Png
R.Q., Chua L.L., Ho P.K.H., “Doped polymer semiconductors with ultrahigh and ultralow work functions
for ohmic contacts”, Nature 2016, 539, 536 [Highlighted by Nature News & Views 2016 same issue]
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Kam, F. Y.; Png R. Q.; Ang M. C. Y.; Kumar, P.; Rubi, K.; Mahendiran, R.; Solomeshch, O.; Tessler, N.;
Lim, G. K.; Chua, L. L.; Ho, P. K. H. Solution-Processed 2-Dimensional Hole-Doped Ionic Graphene
Compound. Mater. Horiz. 2017, 4, 456.
• Seah, W. L.; Tang, C. G.; Png, R. Q.; Keerthi, V.; Zhao, C.; Guo, H.; Yang, J. G.; Zhou, M.; Ho, P. K. H.;
Chua, L. L. Interface Doping for Ohmic Organic Semiconductor Contacts Using Self-Aligned
Polyelectrolyte Counterion Monolayer. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2017, 1606291.
• Tang, C. G.; Ang, M. C. Y.; Choo, K. K.; Keerthi, V.; Tan, J. K.; Nur Syafiqah, M.; Kugler, T.; Burroughes,
J.H.; Png, R. Q.; Chua, L. L.; Ho, P. K. H. Doped Polymer Semiconductors with Ultrahigh and Ultralow
Work Functions for Ohmic Contacts. Nature 2016, 539, 536.
• Png, R. Q.; Ang, M. C. Y; Teo, M. H.; Choo, K. K.; Tang, C. G.; Belaineh, D.; Chua, L. L.; Ho, P. K. H.
Madelung and Hubbard Interactions in Polaron Band Model of Doped Organic Semiconductors. Nat.Commun. 2016, 7, 11948.
• Yang, J. G.; Seah, W. L.; Guo, H.; Tan, J. K.; Zhou, M.; Matsubara, R.; Nakamura, N.; Png, R. Q.; Ho, P. K.
H.; Chua, L. L. Characterization of Ohmic Contacts in Polymer Organic Ffield-Effect Transistors. Org.Electron. 2016, 37, 491.
RECENT INTERESTS
My research program focuses on materials and processing development to advance the science and
technology of polymer organic semiconductors including organic polymer−graphene hybrids. Several
device chemistry aspects that is central to Organic Electronics, including structure-morphology–
property relations and energy-level engineering.
To make high-performance semiconductor
devices, good ohmic contacts between the
electrode and the semiconductor layer are
required to enable the maximum current
density across the contact. Hole-doped
polymer organic semiconductors are
available in a limited workfunction range
but hole- and electron doped materials with
ultralow and ultrahigh work functions are
not yet available. The key challenges are
stabilizing the thin films against de-doping
and suppressing dopant migrants. Here we
report a general strategy to overcome these
limitations and achieved solution-
processable doped films over a wide range
of workfunction (3.0-5.8 eV.
high density of mobile holes on p-conjugated OSC core for injection
h+
M+
–tethered counter-ion for self-compensation
–spectator ion and tethered counter-ion for processability
e−X−+ +
Self-compensated p-doped polymer OSC
Self-compensated n-doped polymer OSC
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
36
Associate Professor CHUAH Gaik Khuan
Postdoc., Fritz-Haber-Institüt, 1987; Ph.D., Texas A&M Univ., 1987; B.Sc., Univ.of Singapore, 1984
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/chuahgk.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our main research area is on heterogeneous catalysis :
• Applications of zeolites in fine chemicals synthesis
• Green chemistry and catalysis
• Synthesis and applications of materials with tunable textural properties
• Photocatalysts in water remediation
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Zirconium phosphates are used as cation exchangers in the treatment of nuclear wastes and radioactive
wastewater, acid catalysts and catalyst supports, intercalation host for drugs and other molecules, fast
ion conductors and in chromatography. Zirconium phosphate exists in various crystal structures. In the
a-form, planes of zirconium atoms are bridged by phosphate groups which are alternately located
above and below the planes. Each zirconium atom is six-coordinated with oxygen atoms from six
different phosphate groups. For each phosphate group, three of the oxygen atoms are bonded to three
different zirconium atoms while the fourth oxygen atom is protonated. This proton, being
exchangeable, gives the material its ion-exchange property with exchange capacity. However, synthesis
methodologies to form crystalline -zirconium phosphate (Zr(HPO4)2·H2O) typically involve the use of
excess phosphoric acid, addition of HF or oxalic acid and long reflux times or hydrothermal conditions.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Cheng, Y.; Wang, X.; Jaenicke, S.; Chuah, G. K. Minimalistic Liquid-Assisted Route to Highly
Crystalline a-Zirconium Phosphate. ChemSusChem 2017, 10, 3235-3242.
• Yanxiu Gao, Y. X.; Wang, J.; Han, A. J.; Jaenicke, S.; Chuah, G. K. Chemoselective TransferHydrogenation of α, β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds Using Potassium Formate Over Amine-
Grafted Ru/AlO(OH) Catalysts. Catal. Sci. Technol. 2016, 6, 3806 – 3813.
• Wang, J.; Okumura, K.; Jaenicke, S.; Chuah, G. K. Post-Synthesized Zirconium-Containing Beta Zeolite
in Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley Reduction: Pros and Cons. Appl. Catal. A. 2015, 493, 112-120.
• Han, A. J.; Sun, J. L.; Lin, X. H.; Yuan, C.-H.; Chuah, G. K.; Jaenicke, S. Influence of Facets and
Heterojunctions in Photoactive Bismuth Oxyiodide. RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 88298-88305.
• Fan, A.; Jaenicke, S.; Chuah, G. K. A Heterogeneous Pd-Bi/C Catalyst in the Synthesis of L-Lyxose and
L-Ribose from Naturally Occurring D-Sugars. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2011, 9 (22), 7720-7726. [Hot
paper].
• Radhakrishnan, R.; Wu, J. A.; Jaenicke, S.; Chuah, G. K. Effects of Acidity and Pore Size Constraints on
Supported Niobium Oxide Catalysts for the Selective Formation of Glycerol Monolaurate.
ChemCatChem 2011, 3 (4), 761-770.
• Radhakrishan, R.; Do, D. M.; Jaenicke, S.; Sasson, Y.; Chuah, G. K. Potassium Phosphate as a Solid
Base Catalyst for the Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Aldehydes and Ketones. ACS Catal. 2011,
1 (11), 1631-1636.
We have developed a minimalistic sustainable
route using only zirconium oxychloride and
concentrated phosphoric acid to form highly
crystalline -zirconium phosphate within hours.
The morphology can be changed from platelets
to rod-shaped particles. Key features of this
minimal solvent synthesis are the excellent
yields obtained with high atom economy under
mild conditions and ease of scalability .
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
37
Associate Professor FAN Wai Yip
Postdoc., Univ. of California at Berkeley, 2000; Ph.D., Univ. of Cambridge, 1998;B.Sc., Univ. of London, 1994
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/fanwy.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Two primary areas : (1) Earth-abundant transition metal complexes as catalysts for electrochemical
proton reduction and organic transformations such as dehydrogenative coupling. (2) Molecular and
nanomaterials for catalysis and photochemical processes.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Yap, C.P.; Hou, K.P.; Bengali, A; Fan, W. Y. A Robust Penta-Coordinated Fe(II) Proton Reduction
Catalyst Stabilized by a Tripodal Phosphine. Inorg. Chem. 2017, in press.
• Teo, A. K. L.; Fan, W. Y. A Novel Iron Complex for Highly Efficient Catalytic Hydrogen Generation
from fhe Hydrolysis of Organosilanes. Chem. Commun. 2014, 50 (54), 7191-7194.
• Hou, K. P.; Poh, H. T.; Fan, W. Y. Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Generation by a Trithiolato-Bridged
Dimanganese Hexacarbonyl Anion with a Turnover Frequency Exceeding 40 000 s(-1). Chem.
Commun. 2014, 50 (50), 6630-6632.
• Ng, C. H. B.; Fan, W. Y. Reuleaux Triangle Disks: New Shape on the Block. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014,
136 (37), 12840-12843.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Yap, C.P.; Hou, K.P.; Bengali, A; Fan, W. Y., A Robust Penta-Coordinated Fe(II) Proton Reduction
Catalyst Stabilized by a Tripodal Phosphine, Inorg. Chem. 2017, ASAP article.
We report the preparation of a robust iron complex capable of sustaining the catalysis of
electrochemical proto reduction at a low overpotential and catalytic efficiency. The design on the
complex is inspired by the distal Fe center of the [FeFe] hydrogenase..
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
38
Associate Professor GAO Zhiqiang
B.Sc. Ph.D., Wuhan University; Feinberg Postdoctoral Fellow, Weizmann Institute
of Science; Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Fellow, National University of Singapore.
https://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/Gaozhiqiang.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Analytical Chemistry. Electrochemistry, Nanobiotechnology, Renewable Energy and Medical Devices.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Yang, X.; Gao, Z. Q. Enzyme-Catalyzed Deposition of Ultrathin Silver Shells on Gold Nanorods: A
Universal and Highly Efficient Signal Amplification Strategy for Translating Immunoassay into
Litmus-Type Test. Chem. Commun. 2015, 51, 6928-6931.
• Lim, S. Y.; Shen, W.; Gao, Z. Q. Carbon Quantum Dots and Their Applications. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2015,44 (1), 362-381.
• Yang, X. J.; Yu, Y. B.; Gao, Z. Q. A Highly Sensitive Plasmonic DNA Assay Based on Triangular Silver
Nanoprism Etching. ACS Nano 2014, 8 (5), 4902–4907.
• Shen, W.; Deng, H. M.; Gao, Z. Q. Gold Nanoparticle-Enabled Real-Time Ligation Chain Reaction for
Ultrasensitive Detection of DNA. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134 (36), 14678−14681.
• Shen, W.; Deng, H.; Teo, A. K. L.; Gao, Z. Colorimetric Detection of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms
with a Real-Time PCR-Like Sensitivity. Chem. Commun. 2012, 48 (82), 10225–10227.
• Peng, Y. F.; Gao, Z. Q. Amplified Detection of MicroRNA Based on Ruthenium Oxide Nanoparticle-
Initiated Deposition of an Insulating Film. Anal. Chem. 2011, 83 (3), 820–827.
• Yi, G. S.; Peng, Y. F.; Gao, Z. Q. Strong Red-Emitting Near-Infrared-to-Visible Upconversion
Fluorescent Nanoparticles. Chem. Mater. 2011, 23 (11), 2729–2734.
• Roy, S.; Chen, X.; Li, M.-H.; Peng, Y.; Anariba, F.; Gao, Z. Mass-Produced Nanogap Sensor Arrays for
Ultrasensitive Detection of DNA. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131 (34), 12211–12217.
• Fan, Y.; Chen, X.; Trigg, A. D.; Tung, C.-h.; Kong, J.; Gao, Z. Detection of MicroRNAs Using Target-
Guided Formation of Conducting Polymer Nanowires in Nanogaps. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129(17), 5437–5443.
• Fan, Y.; Chen, X. T.; Kong, J. M.; Tung, C. H.; Gao, Z. Q. Direct Detection of Nucleic Acids by Tagging
Phosphates on Their Backbones with Conductive Nanoparticles. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2007, 46 (12),
2051–2054.
PRIMERY US PATENT GRANTED
• Somenath, R.; Gao, Z. Transistor Arrangement and a Method of Forming a Transistor Arrangement.
U.S. Patent 8,963,118, February 24, 2015.
• Gao, Z.; Zhang, J. Immunoassay. U.S. Patent 8,679,772, March 25, 2014.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Yang, X. J.; Yu, Y. B.; Gao, Z. Q., A Highly Sensitive
Plasmonic DNA Assay Based on Triangular Silver
Nanoprism Etching. ACS Nano 2014, 8 (5), 4902–4907.
A facile DNA detection platform based on a plasmonic
silver nanoprism etching process, in which the shape
and size of the nanoprisms were altered accompanied
by a substantial surface plasmon resonance shift.
Through the combination of enzyme-linked
hybridization chain reaction amplification and inherent
sensitivity of plasmonic silver nanoprims, this assay
could detect as low as 6.0 fM target DNA.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
39
Associate Professor HUANG Dejian
Postdoc., MIT, 2001; Ph.D., Indiana Univ. Bloomington, 1999; M.Sc., ChineseAcad. of Sciences, 1990; B.Sc., Fujian Teachers Univ., 1987
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/huangdj.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Transition metal complex-based fluorescent probes for ultrasensitive detection of small molecules of
biological importance, such as H2S, NO, NO2, and 1O2.
• High throughput assay-guided isolation and characterizations of natural products with alpha-
amylase inhibitory activity and anti-aging activity (using yeast as a model), induced phytoalexins
from plant seeds
• Chemistry of dietary organosulfur compounds with regard to their activity as a natural H2S donors in
biology.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Liang, D.; Wu, H. X.; Wong, M. W.; Huang, D. J. Diallyl Trisulfide is a Fast H2S Donor, but Diallyl
Disulfide is a Slow One: the Reaction Pathways and Intermediates of Glutathione with
Polysulfides. Org. Lett. 2015, 17(17), 4196-4199.
• Yan, Y.; Krishnakumar, S.; Yu, H.; Ramishetti, S.; Deng L. W.; Wang, S. H.; Huang, L., Huang, D. J.
Nickel (II) Dithiocarbamate Complexes Containing Sulforhodamine B as Fluorescent Probes for
Selective Detection of Nitrogen Dioxide. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135(14), 5312-5315.
• Liu, T. T.; Song, L. X.; Wang, H. Y.; Huang, D. J. A High-Throughput Assay for Quantification of Starch
Hydrolase Inhibition Based on Turbidity Measurement. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2011, 59 (18), 9756-
9762.
• Wang, S. H.; Han, M. Y.; Huang, D. J. Nitric Oxide Switches on the Photoluminescence of Molecularly
Engineered Quantum Dots. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131 (33), 11692-11694.
• Huang, D. J.; Ou, B. X.; Prior, R. L. The Chemistry behind Antioxidant Capacity Assays. J. Agric. FoodChem. 2005, 53 (6), 1841-1856.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Liang, D., Wang, C., Tocmo, R., Wu, H., Deng, L. W., Huang, D.J. Hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S)
releasing capacity of essential oils isolated from organosulphur rich fruits and vegetables. J. Funct.Foods. 2015, 14, 634-640.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Highly cited researcher (in Agricultural Sciences) by Thomson Reuters, 2014, 2015.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous
signaling molecule with multiple biological
functions in human body. A fluorescent
probe based method for H2S releasing
capacity assay in cell lines was developed,
and the H2S releasing capacities of 10
organosulfur rich foods (garlic, red onion,
yellow onion, scallion, shallot, leek, spring
onion, Chinese chives, durian, and stinky
beans) were evaluated and ranked. Stinky
beans (a vegetable from South East Asia)
topped the ranking with incredible H2S
releasing capacity, followed by garlic and
yellow onion.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
40
Associate Professor HUYNH Han Vinh
Dr. rer. nat (magna cum laude), Univ. Münster (WWU), Germany, 2002; Dipl. Chem., Univ. Münster (WWU), Germany, 1999
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/huynh.htm
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 2003-2004
• Asian Core Program Lectureship Award for Hong Kong 2010
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research involves ligand design for applications in organometallic and classical coordination
Chemistry. Specific foci are:
• Development of unprecedented and non-classical carbenes and related strong donor ligands
• Applications of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) complexes in catalysis and bioorganometallic
chemistry
• Physical organic chemistry
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Bernhammer, J.C.; Frison, G.; Huynh, H. V., Electronic Structure Trends in N-Heterocyclic Carbenes
(NHCs) with Varying Number of Nitrogen Atoms and NHC[BOND]Transition-Metal Bond Properties.
Chem. Eur. J. 2013, 19 (38), 12892−12905.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Bernhammer, J. C.; Singh, H.; Huynh, H. V. Amine-Functionalized Indazolin-3-Ylidene Complexes of
Palladium(II) by Postmodification of a Single Precursor. Organometallics 2014, 33 (16), 4295–4301.
• Yuan, D.; Teng, Q. Q.; Huynh, H. V. Template-Directed Synthesis of Palladium(II) Sulfonate-NHC
Complexes and Catalytic Studies in Aqueous Mizoroki-Heck Reactions. Organometallics 2014, 33 (7),
1794−1800.
• Liu, Y.; Ganguly, R.; Huynh, H. V.; Leong, W. K. Direct Evidence for the Attack of a Free N-Heterocyclic
Carbene at a Carbonyl Ligand: A Zwitterionic Osmium Carbonyl Cluster. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013,52 (46), 12110−12113.
• Huynh, H. V.; Teng, Q. Q. Highly Modular Access to Functionalised Metal-Carbenes via Post-
Modifications of a Single Bromoalkyl-Substituted NHC-Pd(II) Complex. Chem. Commun. 2013, 49(39), 4244–4246. [Invited contribution for the special issue “Emerging Investigators 2013”].
• Guo, S.; Sivaram, H.; Yuan, D.; Huynh, H. V. Gold and Palladium Hetero-Bis-NHC Complexes:
Characterizations, Correlations, and Ligand Redistributions. Organometallics 2013, 32 (13),
3685−3696.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
41
Dr rer. nat., 1981, University of Karlsruhe; B.Sc. (Vordiplom), 1973, University ofCologne;
https://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/jaenicke.htm
Email: [email protected]
Associate Professor Stephan JAENICKE
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The Jaenicke Research Group conducts studies in heterogeneous catalysis with the aim to understand
the origins of catalytic activity, and to use that fundamental understanding for the design of improved
catalysts. Reactions are followed by steady state measurements in flow reactors, and by determining
the concentration profiles in batch reactions. With these data, the chemical kinetic are determined and
the catalytic performance evaluated. We also use spectroscopic measurements to identify species on
the catalyst surfaces. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, solid state NMR, UV-vis reflectance and
infrared spectroscopy reveal further details of the chemical state of the surface and the bonding of
adsorbed species. The acid catalysis by zeolites, hydrodeoxygenation of biomass derived molecules,
and the photochemical degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants over semiconductor surfaces are
catalytic systems of current interest. Particularly the conversion of sugars and other biomaterial into
platform molecules for the chemical economy of the future, which will be based on renewable raw
materials (bio-refinery concept), is central to our research program.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTSingle-crystalline nanosheets with either {001} or {110} planes as the dominant facets were formed by
tuning the pH during synthesis. The {001}-facetted BiOI consisted of large crystallites with low surface
areas in contrast to the thinner and smaller {110}-facetted platelets. The specific activity per m2 for the
photodegradation of p-cresol was ~ 5 times higher over the {001} than over the {110}-facetted BiOI of
p-cresol. The specific activity per m2 for the photodegradation of p-cresol was ~ 5 times higher over
the {001} than over the {110}-facetted BiOI which can be correlated to the stronger adsorption of the
substrate at the oxygen-rich {001} surface.
However, the low surface area of < 1 m2 g-1 is a drawback
for practical use. Instead, by simple calcination of {110}-
facetted BiOI at structures were formed. Instead, by
simple calcination of {110}-facetted BiOI at 350 oC,
composites of different BixOyIz phases with closely related
crystalline structures were formed. The intimate contact
between the phases results in the formation of
heterojunctions which greatly improve the photoactivity,
even over that of {001}-facetted BiOI.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS• Han, A. J.; Sun, J. L.; Chuah, G. K.; Jaenicke, S, Enhanced p-Cresol Photodegradation over BiOBr/Bi2O3 in
the Presence of Rhodamine B. RSC Adv. 2017, 7, 145–152.
• Roslan, I. I.; Ng, K.-H.; Chuah, G. K.; Jaenicke, S. 2-Aminopyridines as an a-Bromination Shuttle in a
Transition Metal-Free One-Pot Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2-]pyridines. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2016, 358, 364-
369.
• Liu, H.; Chuah, G. K.; Jaenicke, S. Alumina-Entrapped Ag Catalyzed Nitro Compounds Coupled with
Alcohols using Borrowing Hydrogen Methodology. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2015, 17, 15012-15018.
• Han, A. J.; Sun, J. L.; Lin, X. H.; Yuan, C.-H.; Chuah, G. K.; Jaenicke, S. Influence of Facets and
Heterojunctions in Photoactive Bismuth Oxyiodide. RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 88298-88305.
• Wang, J.; Do, D. M.; Chuah, G. K.; Jaenicke, S. Core-Shell Composite as the Racemization Catalyst in the
Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols. ChemCatChem 2013, 5 (1), 247-254.
• Liu, H. H.; Chuah, G. K.; Jaenicke, S. N-Alkylation of Amines with Alcohols over Alumina-Entrapped Ag
Catalysts using the “Borrowing Hydrogen" Methodology. J. Catal. 2012, 292, 130-137.
• Fan, A.; Jaenicke, S.; Chuah, G. K. A Heterogeneous Pd-Bi/C Catalyst in the Synthesis of L-Lyxose and L-
Ribose from Naturally Occurring D-sugars. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2011, 9 (22), 7720-7726.
• Ng, J. F.; Weil, T.; Jaenicke, S. Cationized Bovine Serum Albumin with Pendant RGD Groups forms Efficient
Biocoatings for Cell Adhesion. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. B. 2011, 99B (2), 282-290.
• Ng, J. F.; Nie, Y. T.; Chuah, G. K.; Jaenicke, S. A Wall-Coated Catalytic Capillary Microreactor for the Direct
Formation of Hydrogen Peroxide. J. Catal. 2010, 269 (2), 302-308.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
42
Associate Professor KANG Hway Chuan
Ph.D., Caltech, 1989; B.Sc., Yale Univ., 1983
https://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/kanghc.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Surface chemistry and physics and computational chemistry are my main interests. My specific foci
include:
• Silicon-germanium surfaces/interfaces
• Electronic structure and reactivity of nanoclusters of pure and mixed transition metals
• Sputtering dynamics
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
My research focuses upon the use of simulations grounded in statistical and quantum mechanics to
provide molecular scale "pictures" of physical and chemical processes in molecules, clusters, surfaces
and bulk materials. We are interested in modelling the kinetics of catalytic reactions, the structure and
properties of solid and cluster surfaces, reaction energetics, the interactions and reactions of molecules
adsorbed on surfaces, and the energetics of defects on surfaces and in the bulk.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Ng, R. Q. M.; Tok, E. S.; Kang, H. C. Disilane Chemisorption on SixGe1-x(100)-(2x1): Molecular
Mechanisms and Implications for Film Growth Rates. J. Chem. Phys. 2009, 131 (4), 8.
• Ong, W.; Tok, E. S.; Johll, H.; Kang, H. C. Self-Assembly, Dynamics, and Structure of Si Magic Clusters.
Phys. Rev. B. 2009, 79 (23), 9.
• Johll, H.; Kang, H. C.; Tok, E. S. Density Functional Theory Study of Fe, Co, and Ni Adatoms and
Dimers Adsorbed on Graphene. Phys. Rev. B. 2009, 79 (24), 18.
• Ng, R. Q. M.; Tok, E. S.; Kang, H. C. Molecular Mechanisms for Disilane Chemisorption on Si(100)-
(2x1). J. Chem. Phys. 2009, 130 (11), 11.
Li, Q.; Tok, E. S.; Kang, H. C. Energetics of Adsorbed Hydrogen and Surface Germanium on Stepped
Si(x)Ge(1-x)(100)-(2 X 1) Surfaces. Phys. Rev. B. 2008, 77 (20), 10.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
43
Associate Professor LAI Yee Hing
Postdoc., Univ. of California at Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, 1982;Ph.D., Univ. of Victoria, 1980; B.Sc., Nanyang Univ., 1978
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/laiyh.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My primary interest lies on organic chemistry.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Our research interests are centred mainly on the studies of conjugated aromatic systems going from
theoretically interesting molecules to organic materials for specific applications.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Wang, W. L.; Xu, J. W.; Sun, Z.; Zhang, X. H.; Lu, Y.; Lai, Y. H. Effect of Transannular p-p Interaction on
Emission Spectral Shift and Fluorescence Quenching in Dithia 3.3 Paracyclophane-Fluorene
Copolymers. Macromolecules 2006, 39 (21), 7277-7285.
• Wang, F.; Han, M. Y.; Mya, K. Y.; Wang, Y. B.; Lai, Y. H. Aggregation-Driven Growth of Size-Tunable
Organic Nanoparticles using Electronically Altered Conjugated Polymers. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005,
127 (29), 10350-10355.
• Ting, Y. H.; Lai, Y. H. Extreme Projection of a Proton into the p-cloud of an Aromatic Ring: Record
Shielding of an Aromatic Proton in Trans-10b-Methyl-10c-(1-Naphthyl)-10b,10c-Dihydropyrene. J.Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126 (3), 909-914.
• Zhang, Y. P.; Yong, K. S.; Lai, Y. H.; Xu, G. Q.; Wang, X. S. Formation of Order Molecular
Nanostructures on the Si(111)-(7x7) Surface by Patterned Assembly. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2004, 85 (14),
2926-2928.
• Wang, F.; Lai, Y. H.; Han, M. Y. Post-Coordination of Multinuclear Transitional Metal Clusters to
Azulene-Based Polymers: A Novel Strategy for Tuning Properties in p-conjugated Polymers. Org.Lett. 2003, 5 (25), 4791-4794.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
44
Associate Professor LAM Yulin
Research Fellow, Inst. of Molecular and Cell Biology, 1994-1996; Research Fellow,The Scripps Research Inst., 1992-1994; Ph.D., National Univ. of Singapore, 1992;B.Sc.(Hons), National Univ. of Singapore, 1987
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/lamyl.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research interests include (i) bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, and (ii) green chemical synthesis.
Specific foci are:
• Synthesis and biological evaluations of novel organic compounds and natural product derivatives as
potential anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and neurological agents;
• Development of recyclable, fluorous reagents and catalysts for organic transformations in water.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Ng, C. Y.; Kwok, T. X. W.; Tan, F. C. K.; Low, C.-M.; Lam, Y. Fluorogenic Probes to Monitor Cytosolic
Phospholipase A2 Activity. Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 1813.• Poh, Z. W.; Gan, C. H.; Lee, E. J.; Guo, S.; Yip, G. W.; Lam, Y. Divergent Synthesis of Chondroitin Sulfate
Disaccharides and Identification of Sulfate Motifs that Inhibit Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Sci. Rep.2015, 5, 14355.
• Ang, W. J.; Lam, Y. Allylic and Benzylic sp(3) C-H Oxidation in Water. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2015, 13 (4),
1048-1052.
• Huang, H.; Ng, C. Y.; Yu, D. J.; Zhai, J.; Lam, Y.; Soong, T. W. Modest CaV1.342-Selective Inhibition by
Compound 8 is β-Subunit Dependent. Nat. Commun. 2014, 5 , 7.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTRef. : Ng, C. Y.; Kwok, T. X. W.; Tan, F. C. K.; Low, C.-M.; Lam, Y, Fluorogenic Probes to Monitor Cytosolic
Phospholipase A2 Activity. Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 1813.
Cytosolic phospholipase A2
(cPLA2) is an ubiquitous enzyme
which is highly selective for
glycerophospholipids containing
arachidonic acid (AA). There has
been much interest to
understand the molecular
mechanism regulating this
enzyme and to develop
therapeutics for the treatment of
cPLA2-upregulated diseases.
Herein we have developed AA
derivatives equipped with either
one or two fluorescent groups
which function as inhibitor and
substrate probes of cPLA2. The
inhibition was demonstrated to
perform dual functions of
inhibition and imaging while the
substrate probe could be used
for activity assay.
Figure show the targeting of cPLA2 by the newly-designed inhibitor
and substrate probes. Left: Identifying differences in cPLA2 level in
untreated and Trichostatin A (TSA)-treated SHSY5Y cells. Right:
FRET-based assay with the use of substrate probe that demonstrate
higher selectivity for cPLA2 against sPLA2.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
45
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Associate Professor LIU Shao Quan
Postdoctoral Fellow, New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, 1994-1997; Ph.D,Massey University, New Zealand, 1994; M.S., Massey University, New Zealand1990; B.S., South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China, 1985
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/liusq.htm
E-mail: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
General interests are food science and technology. Specific foci are:
• Flavour modulation (e.g. tea, coffee, palm kernel oil)
•Food and beverage fermentation (e.g. probiotic beer, fruit wine, meat sauce)
• Valorisation of food processing side streams (e.g. okara, tofu whey)
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Lee, L. W. W.; Liu, X. S.; Wong, W. S. E.; Liu, S.-Q. Effects of Sucrose Monopalmitate (P90), Tween 80
and Modified Starch on Coffee Aroma Retention and Release in Coffee Oil-Based Emulsions. FoodHydrocolloids 2017, 66, 128-135.
• Lu, Y. Y.; Chua, J. Y.; Huang, D. J.; Lee, P. R.; Liu, S.-Q. Chemical Consequences of Three Commercial
Strains of Oenococcus oeni Co-Inoculated with Torulaspora Delbrueckii in Durian Wine
Fermentation. Food Chem. 2017, 215, 209-218.
• Toh, M. Z.; Liu, S.-Q. Influence of Commercial Inactivated Yeast Derivatives on the Survival of
Probiotic Lactobacillus Rhamnosus HN001 in an Acidic Environment. AMB Express 2017, 7, 156.
• Vong, W. C.; Lim, X. Y.; Liu, S.-Q. Biotransformation with Cellulase, Hemicellulase and YarrowiaLipolytica Boosts Health Benefits of Okara. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2017, 101, 7129-7140
• Zhang, W.; Zhao, F.; Yang, T.; Zhao F.; Liu, S.-Q. Pentopan Mono MG Pretreatment Modified the
Aroma of Palm Kernel Oil after Kernel Roasting. LWT – Food Sci. Technol. 2017, 86, 577-585.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Toh, M.Z., and Liu, S.-Q.
(2017). Influence of commercial
inactivated yeast derivatives on
the survival of probiotic
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001
in an acidic environment. AMB
Express 7, 156.
Reduction of L. rhamnosusHN001 viability after 10-h
exposure to PBS adjusted to pH
3.0 with lactic acid at 30 °C in
the presence of whole extract,
water-soluble (supernatant) and
insoluble fraction (pellets) of
0.3% IYDs. Different lowercase
letters indicate significant
differences (P < 0.05). Values
are the mean of triplicate
experiments (n = 3), with error
bars representing the standard
deviations of the mean values.
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46
Associate Professor Christian A. NIJHUIS
Postdoc., Harvard University, 2007; Ph.D., University of Twente, 2002; M. Sc.,University of Groningen, 1996
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/Nijhuis.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My general research interests include molecular electronics, plasmonic-electronics, supramolecular
chemistry & self-assembly, quantum plasmonics, micro/nano-fabrication
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Du W; Wang T; Chu HS; Nijhuis CA, “Highly Efficient On-Chip
Direct Electronic-Plasmonic Transducers” NATURE PHOTONICS. DOI:
10.1038/s41566-017-0003-5.
Photonic elements have a data transport capacity that far exceeds
(more than 1,000 times) that of electronic systems, however, they are
usually large in size and this greatly limits their use in many advanced
nano-electronics systems. Surface plasmon polaritons, which are light-
confined to sub-wavelength dimensions, function like photonic
elements but they are usually excited by optical means. We developed
plasmonic-electronic transducers that can efficiently convert electrical
signals into plasmonic signals eliminating the need for bulky optical
elements. These devices are efficient and based on tunnelling
junctions, and have the potential to be integrated with existing
technologies.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Chen, X.; Roemer, M.; Yuan, L.; Du, W.; Thompson, D.; del Barco, E.; Nijhuis, C. A. Nat. Nanotech. 2017, 12,
797–803.
• Loh, D.; Sen, S.; Bosman, M.; Tan, S. F.; Zhong, J.; Nijhuis, C. A.; Král, P.; Matsudaira, P.; Mirsaidov, U Nat.Chem. 2017, 9, 77–82
• Du, W.; Wang, T.; Chu, H.; Wu, L.; Liu, R.; Sun, S.; Phua, W.K.; Wang, L.; Tomczak, N.; Nijhuis, C. A. Nat.Photon. 2016, 10, 274 – 280.
• Yuan, L.; France, C.; Crivillers, N.; Mas-Torrent, M.; Cao, L.; Sangeeth, C. S. S.; Rovira, C.; Veciana, J.; Nijhuis,
C. A. Nat. Commun. 2016, 7, 12066.
• Garrigues, A. R.; Wang, L.; del Barco, E.; Nijhuis, C. A. Nat. Commun. 2016, 7, 11595.
• Song, P.; Suchand Sangeeth, C. S.; Thompson, D.; Du, W.; Loh, K. P.; Nijhuis, C. A. Adv. Mater. 2016, 28,
631–639
• Wang, D.; Fracasso, D.; Nurbawono, A.; Annadata, H. V.; Sangeeth, C. S. S.; Yuan, L.; Nijhuis, C. A. Adv.Mater. 2015, 27, 6689–6695 .
• Jiang, L.; Sangeeth, C. S. S.; Yuan, L.; Thompson, D.; Nijhuis, C. A. Nano Lett. 2015, 15 (10), 6643–6649.
• Yuan, L.; Nerngchamnong, N.; Cao, L.; Hamoudi, H.; del Barco, E.; Roemer, M.; Sriramula, R.; Thompson, D.;
Nijhuis, C. A. Nat. Commun. 2015, 6, 6324.
• Yuan, L.; Nerngchamnong, N.; Cao, L.; Hamoudi, H.; del Barco, E.; Roemer, M.; Sriramula, R. K.; Thompson,
Yuan, L.; Jiang, L.; Thompson, D.; Nijhuis, C. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136 (18), 6554-6557.
• Tan, S. F.; Wu, L.; Yang, J. K. W.; Bai, P.; Bosman, M.; Nijhuis, C. A. Science 2014, 343 (6178), 1496-1499.
• Nerngchamnong, N.; Yuan, L.; Qi, D.-C.; Li, J.; Thompson, D.; Nijhuis, C. A. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2013, 8, 113-
118.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Head of the Molecular Electronics & Nanofabrication laboratory (2010 – present)
• NRF research fellowship award (2010)
• Young Scientist Award (2014)
• University Young Researcher Award, NUS (2016)
• Department Outstanding Chemist Award, Department of Chemistry, NUS (2016)
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
47
Associate Professor Suresh VALIYAVEETTIL
Ph.D.- Univ of Victoria, BC, Canada. BSc/MSc. Calicut University, Kerala, India,MTech. - Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, IndiaPost doc. - Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Cornell University.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/suresh.htm
Email: [email protected]
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Hao, L.; Desai, M. K.; Wang, P.; Valiyaveettil S. Successive Extraction of As(V), Cu(II), and P(V) Ions
from Water using Surface Modified Ghee Residue Protein. ACS Sustain. Chem. 2017, 5, 3742-3750.
• Hao, L.; Wang, P.; Valiyaveettil S. Successive Extraction of As(V), Cu(II) and P(V) Ions from Water
using Spent Coffee Powder as Renewable Bioadsorbents. Sci. Rep. 2017, 7, 42881.
• Sen, C. P.; Valiyaveettil, S. Soluble Graphene Nanoribbons from Planarization of Oligophenylenes.
Chem. Eur. J. 2017, 23, 1686-1693
• Sen, C. P.; Valiyaveettil, S. Synthesis, Characterization, and Structure-Property Investigation of
Conformationally Rigid Regioisomers of Poly(p-Phenylene Ethynylene)s. J. Polymer Sci. A 2016, 54,
3652 – 3662.
• Sen, C. P., Goud, V. D., Shrestha, R. G., Shrestha, L. K., Ariga, K., Valiyaveettil, S. BODIPY Based
Hyperbranched Conjugated Polymers for Detecting Organic Vapors. Polymer Chem. 2016, 7, 4213 –
4225.
• Sriramulu, D., Turaga, S. P., Yi, A. X ., Bettiol, A. A., Valiyaveettil, S. Synthesis, Characterization and
Application of Luminescent Silica Nanomaterials. J. Mater. Chem. C, 2016, 4 (47), 11190 – 11197.
• Murali, M. G., Wang, X. Z., Wang, Q., Valiyaveettil, S. New Banana Shaped A-D-p-D-A Type Organic
Dyes Containing Two Anchoring Groups for High Performance Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Dyes andPigments, 2016, 134, 375-381.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research interests are:
• Cellulose and Biomaterials
• Functional polymers
• Nanomaterials, Nanosafety/Nanotoxicity
• Materials for environmental applications
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Synthesis of optically active hydrophobic silica particles: We reported a correlation between optical
properties with the molecular alignment and aggregation of perylene molecules inside and outside
the silica nanoparticles, See Scientific Reports, 2017, 7, Article Number: 7842.; Scientific Reports, 2016,
6, Article Number: 35993; J. Mater. Chem. C, 2016, 4 (47), 11190 – 11197.
Polymers with well defined architectures
Regioirregular PPE1, R =
Regioirregular PPE2, R =
Regioregular PPE3, R = PPE4, R =
Super hydrophobic
hard silica coatings
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
48
Associate Professor Thomas WALCYZK
Postdoc., Swiss Federal Inst. of Technology (ETH Zurich), 1996; Ph.D. (Dr. rer.nat.), Univ. of Regensburg (D), 1994; Dipl. Chem., Univ. of Regensburg (D), 1991
Joint appointment with Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Dept. of Biochemistry
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/walczyk.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Research at our lab is directed towards a better understanding of mineral and trace element metabolism
in humans and their role in health and disease with a special focus on iron and calcium. Specific foci are:
• Factors affecting absorption, utilization and excretion of essential elements by the human body
• Development and application of stable isotope techniques for element tracing in animal and human
studies
• Exploration of natural isotope signatures in the human body for essential elements
• Inorganic trace analysis and elemental speciation analysis by isotope dilution mass spectrometry
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Hotz, K.; Walczyk, T. Natural Iron Isotopic Composition of Blood is an Indicator of Dietary Iron
Absorption Efficiency in Humans. J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 2013, 18 (1), 1-7.
• Chew, G.; Walczyk, T. Measurement of Isotope Abundance Variations in Nature by Gravimetric
Spiking Isotope Dilution Analysis (GS-IDA). Anal. Chem. 2013, 85 (7), 3667-3673.
• Hotz, K.; Augsburger, H.; Walczyk, T. Isotopic Signatures of Iron in Body Tissues as a Potential
Biomarker for Iron Metabolism. J. Anal. Atom. Spectrom. 2011, 26 (7), 1347-1353.
• Bullen, T. D.; Walczyk, T. Environmental and Biomedical Applications of Natural Metal Stable Isotope
Variations. Elements 2009, 5 (6), 381-385.
• Hoppler, M.; Zeder, C.; Walczyk, T. Quantification of Ferritin-Bound Iron in Plant Samples by Isotope
Tagging and Species-Specific Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry. Anal. Chem. 2009, 81 (17), 7368-
7372.
• Denk, E.; Hillegonds, D.; Vogel, J.; Synal, A.; Geppert, C.; Wendt, K.; Fattinger, K.; Hennessy, C.;
Berglund, M.; Hurrell, R. F.; Walczyk, T. Labeling the Human Skeleton with Ca-41 to Assess Changes
in Bone Calcium Metabolism. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2006, 386 (6), 1587-1602. [ABC Best Paper Award
2007].
• Krayenbuehl, P. A.; Walczyk, T.; Schoenberg, R.; von Blanckenburg, F.; Schulthess, G. Hereditary
Hemochromatosis is Reflected in the Iron Isotope Composition of Blood. Blood 2005, 105 (10),
3812-3816.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
References:
• Chen, J.; Singh, N.N.; Tay, H.; Walczyk, T., Imbalance of iron influx and efflux causes brain iron
accumulation over time in the healthy adult rat. Metallomics 2014, 6, 1417-1426.
• Chen, J.; Shinavas, S.; Singh, N.N.; Ong, W.Y.; Walczyk, T., Stable iron isotope tracing reveals
significant brain iron uptake in adult rats. Metallomics 2013, 5, 167–173.
Iron deposits in brain are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative
disorders including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease. Earlier short-
term experiments in rodents using radiotracers showed that uptake of
injected iron by the healthy brain is only marginal after closure of the
blood brain barrier early in life (< 0.001% of dose). In a series of rat
studies we pioneered stable isotope tracing of iron from diet to brain
in the first ever long-term in vivo experiment involving continuous
tracer feeding. In agreement with earlier studies we found that only a
minor fraction of administered iron entered the brain. However, due to
the low concentration of iron in brain, this fraction amounted to ca. 10% of brain iron which challenges
current textbook knowledge. In a second experiment we could show that iron influx exceeds iron efflux
in the long-term and that iron accumulation in brain over lifetime is apparently inevitable.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
49
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Associate Professor Simon WATTS
B.Sc. [Hons]: (1981) Bradford, UK; Ph.D. (1985) : Royal School of Mines, ImperialCollege, UK
Postdoctoral: Universities at Norwich (UK), Leeds (UK), Oxford (UK), Wellington(NZ); Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (NZ); KiwicareCorporation (NZ).
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/Watts.htm
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Chair of the (UK) Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences, 2006-2007
• Member of Council of the Institute of Environmental Sciences, 2005-2007
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Atmospheric biogeochemistry of Sulfur, and its effects on health and climate. Development of passive
samplers for hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide and a range of atmospheric pollutants. Particular foci
are:
• outdoor urban air quality and health
• Indoor urban air quality, cultural artefacts and health
• Passive samplers (particularly for reduced sulfur) to assess air quality
• emissions of reduced sulfur from engine exhaust systems
• reduced sulfur and climate change
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Sekine, Y.; Watts, S.F.; Rendell, A.; Butsugan, M., Development of highly sensitive passive sampler
for nitrogen dioxide using porous polyethylene membrane filter as turbulence limiting diffuser. Atmos.Env. 2008, 42 (18), 4079-4088.
The new class of multi analyte high speed passive samplers.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Sekine, Y.; Watts, S. F.; Butsugan, M. The Use of Passive Samplers for Assessing Personal Exposure
and Air Concentrations of Nitrogen Oxides, Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbonyl Compounds in Indoor,
Outdoor and Workplace Environments. In Advance in Chemistry Research, Taylor, J. C., Ed. Nova
Science Publisher Inc: New York, 2012; Vol. 11, pp 255-275.
• Watts, S. F. The Mass Budgets of Carbonyl Sulfide, Dimethyl Sulfide, Carbon Disulfide and Hydrogen
Sulfide. Atmos. Env. 2000, 34 (5), 761-779.
• Hipkins, S.; Watts, S. F. Estimates of Air Pollution in York: 1381-1891. Env. Hist. 1996, 2 (3), 337-345.
• Watts, S. F.; Brimblecombe, P.; Watson, A. J. Methane Sulfonic Acid, Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Dimethyl
Sulfone in the Marine Atmosphere. Atmos. Env. 1990, 24A, 353-359.
50
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Associate Professor XU Qing-Hua
Postdoc., UC Santa Barbara, 2005; Postdoc., Stanford Univ., 2002; Ph.D., UCBerkeley, 2001; M.Sc. Univ. of Chicago, 1997; M.Sc. Peking Univ., 1996; B.Sc.,Zhejiang Univ., 1993
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/xuqh.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We are mainly interested in development of various light based applications, such as sensing, imaging,
photo-sensitization and optoelectronics using nano-materials and organic/polymer materials, as well as
investigation of the underlying fundamental mechanisms and photophysical processes using various
novel optical spectroscopy and imaging techniques to understand their working principles, which
provide insights for device design of better performance. Specific foci are:
• Nanophotonics, plasmonics, bophotonics and optoelectronics
• Optical spectroscopy and imaging
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Yuan, P. Y.; Ding, X.; Guan, Z. P.; Gao, N. Y.; Ma, R.; Jiang, X. F.; Yang, Y. Y.; Xu, Q. H. Plasmon-Coupled
Gold Nanospheres for Two-Photon Imaging and Photoantibacterial Activity. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2015, 4(5), 674-678.
• Shen, X. Q.; Li, S.; Li, L.; Yao, S. Q.; Xu, Q. H. Highly Efficient, Conjugated-Polymer-Based Nano-
Photosensitizers for Selectively Targeted Two-Photon Photodynamic Therapy and Imaging of Cancer
Cells. Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21 (5), 2214-2221.
• Gao, N. Y. et al. Shape-Dependent Two-Photon Photoluminescence of Single Gold Nanoparticles. J. Phys.Chem. C. 2014, 118 (25), 13904-13911.
• Yuan, P. Y.; Ma, R. Z.; Guan, Z. P.; Gao, N. Y.; Xu, Q. H. Tuning Two-Photon Photoluminescence of Gold
Nanoparticle Aggregates with DNA and Its Application as Turn-on Photoluminescence Probe for DNA
Sequence Detection. ACS Appl. Mater. Interf. 2014, 6 (15), 13149-13156.
• Zhao, T. T. et al. Gold Nanorod Enhanced Two-Photon Excitation Fluorescence of Photosensitizers for
Two-Photon Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interf. 2014, 6 (4), 2700-2708.
• Guan, Z. P.; Gao, N. Y.; Jiang, X. F.; Yuan, P. Y.; Han, F.; Xu, Q. H. Huge Enhancement in Two-Photon
Photoluminescence of Au Nanoparticle Clusters Revealed by Single-Particle Spectroscopy. J. Am. Chem.Soc. 2013, 135 (19), 7272-7277.
• Fang, C. H.; Lee, Y. H.; Shao, L.; Jiang, R. B.; Wang, J. F.; Xu, Q. H. Correlating the Plasmonic and Structural
Evolutions during the Sulfidation of Silver Nanocubes. ACS Nano 2013, 7 (10), 9354-9365.
• Yu, K.; Zijlstra, P.; Sader, j.; Xu, Q. H.; Orrit, M. Damping of Acoustic Vibrations of Immobilized Single Gold
Nanorods in Different Environments. Nano Lett. 2013, 13 (6), 2710-2716.
• Tian, N.; Xu, Q. H. Enhanced Two-Photon Excitation Fluorescence by Fluorescence Resonance Energy
Transfer using Conjugated Polymers. Adv. Mater. 2007, 19 (15), 1988-1991.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Young Scientist Award, Faculty of Science, NUS 2008
RECENT HIGHLIGHTOur group recently found that aggregation of
noble metal nanoparticles resulted in significantly
enhanced two-photon photoluminescence. The
enhancement factor reached up to a few hundreds
of times in solution and five orders of magnitude
on the single particle level. This phenomenon has
been further utilized to develop various
applications in two-photon sensing, imaging, and
phototherapy. Ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy
and single particle spectroscopy have been
performed to understand the underlying
enhancement mechanisms.
thrombinAg NP
TBA15: 5’-GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG-3’
folded TBA15
400 500 600 7000
100
200
300
400
500
TP
PL
In
ten
sity
(a.u
.)
Wavelength (nm)
[Target DNA] (nM)
0 0.8
0.025 1.0
0.1 1.5
0.2 2.0
0.3 3.0
0.5 3.5
400 500 600 700
0
20
40
60
TP
PL
Inte
nsi
ty (
a.u
.)
Wavelength (nm)
[Target DNA] (nM)
0
0.005
0.025
0.050
0.075
0.100
A
C D
0.01 0.1 11
10
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.081.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
TP
PL
/TP
PL
0
[Target DNA] (nM)
TP
PL
/TP
PL
0
Wavelength (nm)
Probe ssDNAa: 5’-TCCATGCAACTCAAAAAAAAAA-SH-3’
Probe ssDNAa: 5’-SH-AAAAAAAAAAAAGAGGAGTTAA-3’
Target ssDNA: 5’- GAGTTGCATGGATTAACTCCTCTT-3’
[Target DNA] (nM)
0 1.0
0.2 1.5
0.3 2.0
0.5 3.0
0.8 3.5
400 500 600 700 800 900
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
Ex
tin
cti
on
Wavelength (nm)
B
E
Ultrafast Spectroscopic Studies Single Particle Spectroscopic Studies
Chemical and Biological Sensing Bio-imaging and Phototherapy
51
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
Associate Professor YIP Hon Kay John
Ph.D., Univ. of Hong Kong, 1993; B.Sc., Univ. of Hong Kong, 1989
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/yipjohn.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We design and synthesize inorganic and organometallic molecules for photocatalytic CO2 reduction, H2
formation and multichromophoric supramolecular assemblies for light harvesting and energy transfer.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Hu, J.; Yip, J. H. K.; Ma, D. L.; Wong, K. Y.; Chung, W. H. Switching on the Phosphorescence of Pyrene
by Cycloplatination. Organometallics 2009, 28 (1), 51-59.
• Wang, Y. Y.; Lin, R.; Yip, J. H. K. Templated Assembly of a Pseudorotaxane of Gold Rectangles. DaltonT. 2008, (21), 2806-2808. [Selected as Hot paper and cover page].
• Heng, W. Y.; Hu, J.; Yip, J. H. K. Attaching Gold and Platinum to the Rim of Pyrene: a Synthetic and
Spectroscopic Study. Organometallics 2007, 26 (27), 6760-6768.
• Hu, J.; Lin, R.; Yip, J. H. K.; Wong, K. Y.; Ma, D. L.; Vittal, J. J. Synthesis and Electronic Spectroscopy of
Luminescent Cyclometalated Platinum-anthracenyl Complexes. Organometallics 2007, 26 (26), 6533-
6543.
• Lin, R.; Yip, J. H. K.; Zhang, K.; Koh, L. L.; Wong, K. Y.; Ho, K. P. Self-Assembly and Molecular
Recognition of a Luminescent Gold Rectangle. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126 (48), 15852-15869.
• Yip, J. H. K.; Wu, J. G.; Wong, K. Y.; Ho, K. P.; Pun, C. S. N.; Vittal, J. J. Electronic Communication
Mediated by a Pt-I-Pt-I Sigma-Bond. Organometallics 2002, 21 (24), 5292-5300.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Nguyen, M.-H.; Yip, J. H. K., Gold(I) and
Platinum(II)-Tetracenes and Tetracenyl-diacetylides:
Structural and Fluorescence Color Changes
Induced by σ-Metalation. Organometallics 2010,
29, 2422–2429.
Nguyen, M.-H.; Yip, J. H.K., Platinum-Conjugated
Homo- and Heterobichromophoric Complexes of
Tetracene and Pentacene. Organometallics 2012,
31, 7522–7531.
Nguyen, M.-H.; Yip, J. H.K., Pushing Pentacene-
Based Fluorescence to the Near-Infrared Region
by Platination. Organometallics 2011, 30, 6383–
6392.
52
Associate Professor ZHANG Chun
Postdoc., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-2008; Ph.D., University ofFlorida, 2004; M.S., Fudan University, 2000 ; B.S., Fudan University, 1996
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/zc.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research interests are theoretical modeling and simulation of materials at nanoscale Specific foci are:
• Molecular electronics
• Nanocatalysis
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Zhang, C.; Barnett, R. N.; Landman, U. Bonding, Conductance, and Magnetization of Oxygenated Au
Nanowires. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2008, 100 (4).
• Zhang, C.; Yoon, B.; Landman, U. Predicted Oxidation of CO Catalyzed by Au Nanoclusters on a Thin
Defect-Free MgO Film Supported on a Mo(100) Surface. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129 (8), 2228-2229.
• Marchenkov, A.; Dai, Z. T.; Zhang, C.; Barnett, R. N.; Landman, U. Atomic Dimer Shuttling and Two-
level Conductance Fluctuations in Nb Nanowires. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2007, 98 (4).
• Zhang, C.; Wang, L. L.; Cheng, H. P.; Zhang, X. G.; Xue, Y. Spin-Dependent Transport through a
Magnetic Carbon Nanotube-Molecule Junction. J. Chem. Phys. 2006, 124 (20).
• Zhang, C.; Du, M. H.; Cheng, H. P.; Zhang, X. G.; Roitberg, A. E.; Krause, J. L. Coherent Electron
Transport through an Azobenzene Molecule: A Light-Driven Molecular Switch. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2004,
92 (15).
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Zhang, C.; Barnett, R. N.; Landman, U., Bonding, conductance, and magnetization of oxygenated
Au nanowires. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2008, 100 (4).
Spin-density-functional calculations of tip-suspended gold chains, with molecular oxygen, or dissociated
oxygen atoms, incorporated in them, reveal structural transitions for varying lengths.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
CNMS Research Scholar Award, Oak Ridge National Lab (US), 2005
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
53
Associate Professor ZHAO Yu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• To develop simple (asymmetric) catalytic systems to address key problems in chemistry
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reported the first enantioselective synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines using borrowing hydrogen:
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Lim, C. S. et al. Enantioselective Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines Using Borrowing Hydrogen.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 7176 (VIP).
• Liu, T.-L. et al. Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Isomerization of Secondary Allylic Alcohols. J.Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 3643.
• Yang, L.-C. et al. Construction of Nine-Membered Heterocycles through Palladium-Catalyzed
Formal [5 + 4] Cycloaddition. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 2927.
• Lee, J. T. D. et al. Access to Acyclic (Z)-Enediynes via Alkyne Trimerization: Cooperative Bimetallic
Catalysis Using Air as the Oxidant. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55 , 13872.
• Pan, H.-J. et al. Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Imines using Alcohol: Efficiency and
Selectivity Are Affected by Hydrogen Donor. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55 , 9615.
• Huang, Y. et al. Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective Vinylation of Activated Ketones and Imines. J.Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 6571.
• Huang, Y. et al. Cobalt-Catalyzed Allylation of Heterobicyclic Alkenes: Ligand-Induced Divergent
Reactivities. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 13696.
• Rong, Z. Q. et al. Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Amination of Alcohols: From A Mixture of Four
Isomers to Diastereo- and Enantiopure a-Branched Amines. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 4944.
• Liao, J. Y. et al. Catalytic Divergent Synthesis of 3H or 1H Pyrroles by 3+2 Cyclization of Allenoates
with Activated Isocyanides. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 628.
• Lu, S. C. et al. Kinetic Resolution of 1,1 '-Biaryl-2,2 '-Diols and Amino Alcohols through NHC-
Catalyzed Atroposelective Acylation. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 11041.
• Shao, P. L. et al. Highly Diastereo-and Enantioselective Silver-Catalyzed Double 3+2 Cyclization of
a-Imino Esters with Isocyanoacetate. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 5435.
• Zhang, Y. et al. Catalytic Enantioselective Amination of Alcohols by the Use of Borrowing Hydrogen
Methodology. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 1399.
• Zhao, Y. et al. Enantioselective silyl protection of alcohols catalysed by an amino-acid-based small
molecule. Nature 2006, 443, 67.
Assist Prof., NUS, 2011-2017; Postdoc., MIT, 2008-2011Ph.D., Boston college, 2008; B.S., Peking University, 2002
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/ZHAOYu.htmhttp://zhaoyugroup.sg
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Thieme Chemistry Journals Award, 2016
• Young Scientist Award, NUS Faculty of Science, 2015
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
54
Assistant Professor CHNG Shu Sin
Postdoc., Harvard Medical School, 2011; Ph.D., Harvard University, 2010;B.Sc.(Hons), National University of Singapore, 2003
Website: www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/ChngShuSin.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My group focuses on understanding how biological membranes are assembled in cells using bacterial
outer membranes as models. Specifically, we are interested to elucidate the mechanisms of inter-
membrane lipid trafficking in Gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria and to identify protein targets
in these bacteria for antibiotics discovery.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
The defining feature of the mycobacterial outer
membrane (OM) is the presence of mycolic acids
(MAs), which in part render the bilayer extremely
hydrophobic and impermeable to external insults,
including many antibiotics. While the biosynthetic
pathway of MAs is well studied, the mechanism(s)
by which these lipids are transported across the cell
envelope is(are) much less known. MmpL3, an
essential inner membrane (IM) protein, is
implicated in MA transport, but its exact function
has not been elucidated. It is believed to be the
cellular target of several anti-mycobacterial
compounds; however, evidence for direct inhibition
of MmpL3 activity is also lacking. Here, we establish
that MmpL3 is the MA flippase at the IM of
mycobacteria, and is the molecular target of
BM212, a 1,5-diarylpyrrole compound.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Shrivastava, R.; Jiang, X. E.; Chng, S.-S. Bacterial Outer Membrane Homeostasis via Retrograde
Phospholipid Transport in Escherichia Coli. Mol. Microbiol. 2017, in press.
• Xu, Z. J.; Meshcheryakov, V. A.; Poce, G.; Chng, S.-S. MmpL3 is the Flippase for Mycolic Acids in
Mycobacteria. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2017, 114(30), 7993-7998.
• Thong, S. H.; Ercan, B.; Torta, F.; Fong, Z. Y.; Wong, H. Y.; Wenk, M.R.; Chng, S.-S. Defining Key Roles
for Auxiliary Proteins in an ABC Transporter that Maintains Bacterial Outer Membrane Lipid
Asymmetry. eLife 2016, 5 , e19042.
• Chong, Z.-S.; Woo, W.-F.; Chng, S.-S. Osmoporin OmpC Forms a Complex with MlaA to Maintain
Outer Membrane Lipid Asymmetry in Escherichia Coli. Mol. Microbiol. 2015, 98, 1133-1146.
We develop assays that selectively access mycolates on the surface of Mycobacterium smegmatisspheroplasts, allowing us to monitor flipping of MAs across the IM. Using these assays, we establish
the mechanism-of-action of BM212 as a potent MmpL3 inhibitor, and employ it as a molecular probe
to demonstrate the requirement for functional MmpL3 in the transport of MAs across the IM. Finally,
we show that BM212 binds MmpL3 directly and inhibits its activity. Our work provides fundamental
insights into OM biogenesis and MA transport in mycobacteria. Furthermore, our assays serve as an
important platform for accelerating the validation of small molecules that target MmpL3, and their
development as future anti-tuberculosis drugs.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
55
Assistant Professor Goki EDA
Postdoc, Imperial College LondonPh.D., Rutgers University ; M.Sc., Worcester Polytechnic Institute ; B.A.,International Christian University
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/Eda.htmhttp://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/~phyeda/index.html
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Graphene and other 2-dimensional solids
• Optical and vibrational spectroscopy
• Charge transport
• Electronic and optoelectronic devices
• Intercalation chemistry and colloidal processing
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Our studies have recently found that layered tungsten dichalcogenides such as WS2 and WSe2
undergo indirect-to-direct band gap transition when thinned to a monolayer. The transition results in
strongly enhanced photoluminescence from monolayer WS2 and WSe2.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Zhao, W. J.; Ghorannevis, Z.; Chu, L. Q.; Toh, M. L.; Kloc, C.; Tan, P. H.; Eda, G. Evolution of Electronic
Structure in Atomically Thin Sheets of WS2 and WSe2. ACS Nano 2013, 7 (1), 791-797.
• Eda, G.; Fujita, T.; Yamaguchi, H.; Voiry, D.; Chen, M. W.; Chhowalla, M. Coherent Atomic and
Electronic Heterostructures of Single-Layer MoS2. ACS Nano 2012, 6 (8), 7311-7317.
• Eda, G.; Yamaguchi, H.; Voiry, D.; Takeshi, F.; Chen, M.; Chhowalla, M. Photoluminescence from
chemically exfoliated MoS2. Nano Lett. 2011, 11 (12), 5111-5116.
• Eda, G.; Chhowalla, M. Graphene Patchwork. ACS Nano 2011, 5 (6), 4265-4268.
• Wobkenberg, P. H.; Eda, G.; Leem, D. S.; de Mello, J. C.; Bradley, D. D. C.; Chhowalla, M.;
Anthopoulos, T. D. Reduced Graphene Oxide Electrodes for Large Area Organic Electronics. Adv.Mater. 2011, 23 (13), 1558-1562.
• Eda, G.; Chhowalla, M. Chemically Derived Graphene Oxide: Towards Large-Area Thin-Film
Electronics and Optoelectronics. Adv. Mater. 2010, 22 (22), 2392-2415.
• Loh, K. P.; Bao, Q. L.; Eda, G.; Chhowalla, M. Graphene Oxide as a Chemically Tunable Platform for
Optical Applications. Nat. Chem. 2010, 2 (12), 1015-1024.
• Eda, G.; Fanchini, G.; Chhowalla, M. Large-Area Ultrathin Films of Reduced Graphene Oxide as a
Transparent and Flexible Electronic Material. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2008, 3 (5), 270-274.
Photoluminescence spectra of 1~5 layer WS2 and WSe2.
Bright field and corresponding photoluminescence images
of exfoliated sheets of WS2 and WSe2.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
56
Assistant Professor GE Shaozhong
Singapore Millenn. Found. Fellow, National Univ. of Singapore, 2002-2004;Postdoc., Univ. of Cambridge, 2002; Ph.D., Univ. of Cambridge, 1997; M.A., Univ.of Cambridge, 1996; B.A., Univ. of Cambridge, 1992
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/GeShaozhong.html
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Organometallic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Homogeneous Catalysis, Asymmetric Catalysis
The GE Research Group at NUS aims to discover and understand transition-metal-catalyzed reactions
of organic molecules. We will focus on the development of practical first-row metal-catalyzed reactions
that address problems encountered in the synthesis of complex organic molecules and drug discovery.
Our approaches to reaction discovery will involve identification and synthesis of potential
organometallic intermediates, the systematic study of their reactivity, and the detailed kinetic and
mechanistic study. Ultimately, our goal is to provide synthetic organic chemists with new catalysts and
new organic reactions of practical applications in chemical and pharmaceutical industry.
Our focus on both fundamental and practical aspects of our reaction discovery provides an opportunity
for students in my group to get trained and expertized in various aspects of organometallic chemistry,
synthetic organic chemistry, and physical organic chemistry.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Ge, S. Z.; Arlow, S. I.; Mormino, M. G.; Hartwig, J. F. Pd-Catalyzed -Arylation of Trimethylsilyl
Enolates of ,-Difluoroacetamides. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136 (41), 14401-14404. [Highlighted by
C&EN 2014, 92, pp. 25].
• Ge, S. Z.; Chaladaj, W.; Hartwig, J. F. Pd-Catalyzed -Arylation of , -Difluoroketones with Aryl
Bromides and Chlorides. A Route to Difluoromethylarenes. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136 (11), 4149-
4152. [Highlighted by C&EN 2014, 92, pp. 25].
• Ge, S. Z.; Green, R. A.; Hartwig, J. F. Controlling First-Row Catalysts: Amination of Aryl and Heteroaryl
Chlorides and Bromides with Primary Aliphatic Amines Catalyzed by a BINAP-Ligated Single-
Component Ni(0) Complex. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136 (4), 1617-1627.
• Ge, S. Z.; Hartwig, J. F. Highly Reactive, Single-Component Nickel Catalyst Precursor for Suzuki-
Miyuara Cross-Coupling of Heteroaryl Boronic Acids with Heteroaryl Halides. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
2012, 51 (51), 12837-12841. [Highlighted by Synfacts 2013, 9, 0143].
• Ge, S. Z.; Hartwig, J. F. Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric -Arylation and Heteroarylation of Ketones with
Chloroarenes: Effect of Halide on Selectivity, Oxidation State, and Room-Temperature Reactions. J.
Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133 (41), 16330-16333. [Highlighted by Synfacts 2012, 8, 0055].
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
57
Assistant Professor Kim Jung Eun
Post-doc, Purdue University; Dietetic Intern, Yale-New Haven Hospital; Ph.D.,Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut; M.S., Nutritional Science andFood Management, Ewha Womans University; B.S., Food and Nutrition, EwhaWomans University.
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
As a nutrition scientist with advanced training in dietetics and human clinical research, my long-term
goal is to develop and validate dietary strategies that effectively protect against age-associated
morbidities, including obesity; cardiovascular disease; gastro-intestinal disease; sarcopenia; and
osteoporosis. To fulfill my long-term research goal, my short-term research objectives include
investigating the effects of dietary constituents (including bioactive compounds and dietary
macronutrients) on body composition and other cardio-metabolic health parameters in middle-aged
and older adults from human clinical studies.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• O'Connor, L.E.; Kim, J.E.; Campbell, W.W. Reply to A Satija et al. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2017,105 (6), 1568-
1569.
• Kim, J.E.; Dunville, K.; Li, J.; Cheng, J.; Conley, T.B.; Couture, C.; Campbell, W.W. Intermuscular
Adipose Tissue Content and Intramyocellular Lipid Fatty Acid Saturation are Associated with Fasting
State Glucose Homeostasis in Middle-Aged and Older Adults. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) [Online]
2017. Doi: 10.3803/EnM.2017.32.2.257.
• Kim, J.E.; Lin, G.; Zhou, J.; Case, J.; Campbell, W.W. The Effect of Higher Protein Intake During Weight
Loss on Monocyte Subpopulations and Their Relations to Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins in
Overweight and Obese Adults. Nutr. Res. 2017, 40, 75-84.
• O'Connor, L.E.; Kim, J.E.; Campbell, W.W. Total Red Meat Intake ≥0.5 Servings per Day does not
Negatively Influence Cardiovascular Disease Risk: a Systemically Searched Meta-Analysis of
Randomized Controlled Trials. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2017,105 (1), 57-69.
• Song, J.K.; Jin, H.M.; Kim, J.E. A Study on Happiness in Massage Therapists with Visual Impairment
According to Their Work Type. Journal of Wellness 2016, 20 (3),1-16.
• Kim, J.E.; Ferruzzi, M.G.; Campbell, W.W. Egg Consumption Increases Vitamin E Absorption from Co-
Consumed Raw Mixed Vegetables in Healthy Young Men. J. Nutr. 2016, 146 (11), 2199-2205.
• Kim, J.E.; Moon, H.; Jin, H.M. The Effects of Exercise Training and Type of Exercise Training on
Changes in Bone Mineral Density in Korean Postmenopausal Women: a Systematic Review. J. Exerc.Nutrition Biochem. 2016, 20 (3), 7-15.
• Song, J.K.; Jin, H.M.; Kim, J.E. The Status of Health-Related Lifestyle in Massage Therapists with
Visual Impairment. Journal of Rehabilitation and Welfare 2016, 20 (3),1-16.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
58
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/Kim%20Jung%20Eun.htm
Assistant Professor LU Jiong
Postdoctoral fellow, 2011-2014 National University of Singapore and Universityof California at Berkeley; Ph.D., 2011, National University of Singapore; B.Sc.,2007, Fudan University.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/LuJiong.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our group will conduct interdisciplinary research on low-dimensional materials for optoelectronic,
energy and environmental related applications. We aim to understand and control the chemical and
physical processes from the atomic to the macroscopic scale for creating novel functional materials and
devices. In particular, we are interested in exploring nanoscale chemical and physical phenomena with
an aim towards understanding the basic properties of single atoms and molecules at surfaces in a
device environment.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Liu, Y.; Qiu, Z.; Carvalho, A.; Bao, Y.; Xu, H.; Tan, S. J. R.; Liu, W.; Castro Neto, A. H.; Loh, K. P.; Lu, J.
Gate-Tunable Giant Stark Effect in Few-Layer Black Phosphorus. Nano Lett. 2017, 17, 1970-1977.
• Wickenburg, S.; Lu, J.; Lischner, J.; Tsai, H. Z.; Omrani, A. A.; Riss, A.; Karrasch, C.; Bradley, A.; Jung, H.
S.; Khajeh, R.; Wong, D.; Watanabe, K.; Taniguchi, T.; Zettl, A.; Castro Neto, A. H.; Louie, S. G.;
Crommie, M. F. Tuning Charge and Correlation Effects for a Single Molecule on a Graphene Device
Nat. Commum. 2016, 13553, 7.
• Tsai, H. Z.; Omrani, A. A.; Coh, S.; Oh, H.; Wickenburg, S.; Son, Y. W.; Wong, D.; Louie, S. G.; Lu, J.;
Cohen, M. L.; Crommie, M. F. et al. Molecular Self-assembly in a Poorly Screened Environment:
F4TCNQ on Graphene/BN. ACS Nano 2015, 9, 12168-12173.
• Lu, J.; Gomes, L. C.; Nunes, R. W.; Neto, A. H. C.; Loh, K. P., Lattice Relaxation at the Interface of Two-
Dimensional Crystals: Graphene and Hexagonal Boron-Nitride. Nano Lett. 2014, 14 (9), 5133-5139.
• Yang, B.; Xu, H.; Lu, J.; Loh, K. P., Periodic Grain Boundaries Formed by Thermal Reconstruction of
Polycrystalline Graphene Film. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136 (34), 12041-12046.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Best Graduate Researcher in Chemistry, NUS (2011)
• Wang Gungwu Medal and Prize, NUS (2012)
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Two-dimensional black phosphorus has sparked
enormous research interest due to its high carrier
mobility, layer-dependent direct bandgap and
outstanding in-plane anisotropic property. It is one
of the few 2D materials where it is possible to tune
the bandgap over a wide energy range from the
visible to the IR spectrum. A team led by Assistant
professor Lu Jiong has demonstrated an electrical
field-controlled giant Stark effect in black
phosphorus for potential applications in advanced
electro-optic devices. This work has recently been
published in Nano Letters (DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.
6b05381) and highlighted in Nature Photonics
(doi:10.1038/nphoton.2017.102).
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
59
Assistant Professor TAN Zhi Kuang
Postdoc. (2015): University of Cambridge; Ph.D. (2014): University of Cambridge;B.Sc., Honours 1st Class (2010): National University of Singapore
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/tanzk.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Materials chemistry and physics of optoelectronic devices
• New hybrid and organic semiconductors
• Spectroscopy and charge dynamics in semiconductors
• Nano-materials, structures and quantum dots
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Li, G.; Rivarola, F. W. R.; Davis, N. J. L. K.; Bai, S.; Jellicoe, T. C.; Peña, F. d. l.; Hou, S.; Ducati, C.; Gao, F.;
Friend, R. H.; Greenham, N. C.; Tan, Z.-K. Highly-Efficient Perovskite Nanocrystal Light-Emitting Diodes
Enabled by a Universal Cross-linking Method. Adv. Mater. 2016, 28, 3528.
• Tan, Z. K.; Moghaddam, R. S.; Lai, M. L.; Docampo, P.; Higler, R.; Deschler, F.; Price, M.; Sadhanala, A.; Pazos,
L. M.; Credgington, D.; Hanusch, F.; Bein, T.; Snaith, H. J.; Friend, R. H. Bright Light-Emitting Diodes Based
on Organometal Halide Perovskite. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2014, 9 (9), 687.
• Tan, Z. K.; Vaynzof, Y.; Credgington, D.; Li, C.; Casford, M. T. L.; Sepe, A.; Huettner, S.; Nikolka, M.; Paulus, F.;
Yang, L.; Sirringhaus, H.; Greenham, N. C.; Friend, R. H. In-Situ Switching from Barrier-Limited to Ohmic
Anodes for Efficient Organic Optoelectronics. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2014, 24 (20), 3051.
• Tan, Z. K.; Johnson, K.; Vaynzof, Y.; Bakulin, A. A.; Chua, L. L.; Ho, P. K. H.; Friend, R. H. Suppressing
Recombination in Polymer Photovoltaic Devices via Energy-Level Cascades. Adv. Mater. 2013, 25 (30),
4131.
• Li, G. R.; Tan, Z. K.; Di, D. W.; Lai, M. L.; Jiang, L.; Lim, J. H. W.; Friend, R. H.; Greenham, N. C. Efficient Light-
Emitting Diodes Based on Nanocrystalline Perovskite in a Dielectric Polymer Matrix. Nano Lett. 2015, 15(4), 2640.
• Wang, J. P.; Wang, N. N.; Jin, Y. Z.; Si, J. J.; Tan, Z. K.; Du, H.; Cheng, L.; Dai, X. L.; Bai, S.; He, H. P.; Ye, Z. Z.;
Lai, M. L.; Friend, R. H.; Huang, W. Interfacial Control Toward Efficient and Low-Voltage Perovskite Light-
Emitting Diodes. Adv. Mater. 2015, 27 (14), 2311.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
NUS Early Career Research Award
National Research Foundation PhD Overseas Scholarship
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
In 2014, we successfully demonstrated bright electroluminescence in new hybrid perovskites (Tan, Z.-K.
et al., Nature Nanotechnology 9, 687), thereby opening up possibilities of their application in large-
area colour displays and lighting. Our group aims to build on this initial success to achieve high-
performance perovskite-based light-emitting diodes and photovoltaics through materials and device
engineering as well as fundamental optical and structural investigations. As perovskite semiconductors
possess low exciton binding energy, it is necessary to confine electronic charges within quantum dots
or charge-wells for efficient exciton formation and radiative recombination. We chemically synthesize
luminescent perovskite nanoparticles and nanorods, and work on surface defect passivation to
enhance their luminescence yield. We analyse our new nano
materials using advanced structural techniques such as x-ray
diffraction, atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy
to investigate their crystallinity and polydispersity. We also use
optical spectroscopic techniques to determine luminescence
efficiency and spectral characteristics, which could provide
clues towards defect density and the extent of exciton
confinement. Successes in the development of this new
material class could bring real commercial benefits towards the
growing large-panel display industry.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
60
Assistant Professor WU Jie
Postdoc., Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 2012-2015; Ph.D., BostonUniversity, 2012; B.Sc. Beijing Normal University, 2006
https://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/Wu%20Jie.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The research program in WU group will leverage recent advances in organic synthesis with continued
development of engineered continuous-flow reactors to provide new chemical transformations and
technologies with relevance to contemporary problems. The field of flow chemistry is rapidly expanding
and has the potential to revolutionize the synthesis of organic molecules. It has also been identified as
a key research area for sustainable manufacturing in industry. Our long-term goal is to advance
otherwise difficult or ineffective chemical reactions using continuous-flow techniques, as well as to
develop new chemical strategies to aid the multistep flow process. Our group’s research is truly
multidisciplinary including both organic chemistry and engineering aspects, which provides
opportunities to learn areas of research outside of traditional organic synthesis. Students in my group
will get trained on continuous-flow synthesis, multi-
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Wu, J.; Yang, X., He, Z.; Mao, X.; Hatton, T. A.; Jamison, T. F. Continuous Flow Synthesis of Ketones
from Carbon Dioxide and Organolithium or Grignard Reagents. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53(32),
8416-8420.
• Wu, J.; Kozak, J. A.; Simeon, F.; Hatton, T. A.; Jamison, T. F. Mechanism-Guided Design of Flow
Systems for Multicomponent Reactions: Conversion of CO2 and Olefins to Cyclic Carbonates. Chem.
Sci. 2014, 5 (3), 1227-1231.
• Kozak, J. A.; Wu, J.; Su, X.; Simeon, F.; Hatton, T. A.; Jamison, T. F. Bromine-Catalyzed Conversion of
CO2 and Epoxides to Cyclic Carbonates under Continuous Flow Conditions. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013,
135 (49), 18497-18501.
• Wu, J.; Pu, Y.; Panek, J. S. Divergent Synthesis of Functionalized Carbocycles through Organosilane-
Directed Asymmetric Alkyne-Alkene Reductive Coupling and Annulation Sequence. J. Am. Chem.
Soc. 2012, 134 (44), 18440-18446.
• Wu, J.; Becerril, J.; Lian, Y. J.; Davies, H. M. L.; Porco, J. A.; Panek, J. S. Sequential Transformations to
Access Polycyclic Chemotypes: Asymmetric Crotylation and Metal Carbenoid Reactions. Angew.
Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50 (26), 5938-5942.
• Wu, J.; Panek, J. S. Total Synthesis of (-)-Virginiamycin M-2. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010, 49 (35),
6165-6168.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
SkolTech Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013-2014
Step synthesis, green chemistry, and
microfluidics. They will build in-depth
chemistry background and strong problem-
solving techniques. The advantages of
continuous flow processing are increasingly
being appreciated both by industry and
academia, and students expertized in this
field will find enormous job opportunities.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
61
Assistant Professor YANG HongshunPost-doc, University of Maryland, 2013; Auburn University, 2006-2008; Ph.D., Food
Science, University of Minnesota, 2012; Ph.D., Refrigeration & Cryogenics
Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2005; M.S., Henan University of
Technology, 2002; B.S., Anhui Science and Technology University, 1998.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/Yanghongshun.htm
http://www.fst.nus.edu.sg/OurPeople/YangHS.html
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Member of Editorial Board, LWT-Food Science and Technology, Elsevier, 2017-present• NJC Partner Award, National Junior College, Singapore, 2017
• The Most Valuable Partner Award, Guangzhou Welbon Biological Technology Co., Ltd, 2017
• Outstanding Collaborator Award, Guangzhou Welbon Biological Technology Co., Ltd, 2016
• Certificate of Appreciation, Y G C Group (S) Pte. Ltd, 2015
• PepsiCo Global Research Competition Award, PepsiCo., Inc., 2011
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My overall research interests are food processing and safety engineering. Specific foci are: Organic
and/or Sustainable Food Processing; Food Safety Engineering.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Yu, X.; Yang, H. Pyrethroid Residue Determination in Organic and Conventional Vegetables using
Liquid-solid Extraction Coupled with Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction based on Polystyrene-coated
Magnetic Nanoparticles. Food Chem. 2017, 217, 303-310.
• Yang, H.; Wu, Q.; Ng, L.Y.; Wang, S. Effects of Vacuum Impregnation with Calcium Lactate and Pectin
Methylesterase on Quality Attributes and Chelate-soluble Pectin Morphology of Fresh-cut
Papayas. Food and Bioprocess Tech. 2017, 10, 901-913.
• Feng, X.; Zhu. Y.; Liu, Q.; Lai, S.; Yang, H. Effects of Bromelain Tenderisation on Myofibrillar Proteins,
Texture and Flavour of Fish Balls Prepared from Golden Pomfret. Food and Bioprocess Tech. 2017,
10, 1918-1930.
• Feng, X.; Fu, C.; Yang, H. Gelatin Addition Improves Nutrient Retention, Texture and Mass Transfer of
Fish Balls without Altering Their Nanostructure during Boiling. LWT-Food Sci. Technol. 2017, 77, 142-
151.
• Liu, Q.; Wu, J.; Lim, Z.Y.; Aggarwal, A.; Yang, H.; Wang, S. Evaluation of the Metabolic
Response of Escherichia Coli to Electrolysed Water by 1H NMR Spectroscopy. LWT-Food Sci. Technol.2017, 79, 428-436 .
• Zhang, J.; Zhou, S.; Chen, R.; Yang, H., Development of a Portable Electrolytic Sanitising Unit for the
Production of Neutral Electrolysed Water. LWT-Food Sci. Technol. 2017, 82, 207-215.
Ref. : Lin, M.; Tay, S.H.; Yang, H.; Yang, B., Li, H., Development of eggless cakes suitable for lacto-
vegetarians using isolated pea proteins. Food Hydrocolloid. 2017, 69, 440-449.
Eggs are important components of cakes. However, some consumers cannot enjoy traditional cakes
made with eggs due to religious beliefs and health concerns. Isolated pea protein (PPI), xanthan gum
(XN), and emulsifier mixtures were investigated to prepare eggless cakes. The eggless cake recipe
containing PPI+0.1% XN+1% soy lecithin was considered as a potential candidate recipe for
substituting eggs in cakes.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
62
Assistant Professor Rowan Drury YOUNG
BSc (UNSW), PhD (ANU), Postdoc (Oxon), Postdoc (Edin)
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/youngdr.html
RESEARCH INTERESTSMy group’s chemistry is focused on developing and understanding catalytic chemical transformations.
The ability to streamline the efficiency of current and future industrial catalytic processes is a key
element in societies’ reduction of energy usage for a greener future. This research field encompasses
more traditional redox active metal based catalysis to recently developed Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP)
catalysis. In particular I am interested in accessing alternate reaction pathways and reaction products
through the use of Z-type ligands (electron pair acceptors) and carbocation Lewis acids.
2.. Carbon-boron activation chemistry
Carbon-carbon coupling reactions are seen as fundamental
towards building complex organic motifs, and are a
foundation of organic chemistry. Increasingly, inorganic
chemists are developing catalytic C-C bond forming reactions
that are proving to be more efficient and economical in
generating a range of organic compounds. A number of these
reactions rely upon transmetallation. For example, the Suzuki-
Miyaura cross-coupling reaction (Figure 2). This reaction is
already used industrially as a convenient route to high
demand commercial chemicals such as biaryls and polyaryls.
My research interests lie in exploring the activation chemistry
of carbon-boron bonds to better understand the mechanism
of transmetallation. Figure 2. Left – Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling mechanism
(see: J. Organomet. Chem., 1999, 576, 147).
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS• Shuttleworth, T. A.; Huertos, M. A.; Pernik, I.; Young, R. D.; Weller, A. S. Bis(Phosphine)Boronium Salts.
Synthesis, Structures and Coordination Chemistry. Dalton Trans. 2013, 42 (36), 12917-12925. [Elected as
a ‘Hot Article’].
• Young, R. D.; Hill, A. F.; Cavigliasso, G. E.; Stranger, R. [(µ-C){Re(CO)2(η-C5H5)}2]: A Surprisingly Simple
Bimetallic Carbide Complex. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52 (13), 3699-3702. [Featured in “Research
Highlights” in Chem. Aust. (June 2013 issue, page 9)].
• Hooper, J. F.; Young, R. D.; Pernik, I.; Weller, A. S.; Willis, M. C. Carbon-Carbon Bond Construction using
Boronic Acids and Aryl Methyl Sulfides: Orthogonal Reactivity in Suzuki-type Couplings. Chem. Sci. 2013,
4 (4), 1568-1572. [Featured in Synfacts: Swagger, T. M.; Sletten, E. M., Synfacts, 2013, 9, 495].
• Young, R. D.; Lawes, D. J.; Hill, A. F.; Ball, G. E. Observation of a Tungsten Alkane Sigma-Complex Showing
Selective Binding of Methyl Groups Using FTIR and NMR Spectroscopies. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134(20), 8294-8297.
- Cover art for issue 20, volume 134, May 2012
- Featured in “Spotlights on recent JACS publications”: J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, 134, 8293-8293
- Work featured in JACS Cover Artpodcast #38
• Young, R. D.; Hill, A. F.; Hillier, W.; Ball, G. E. Transition Metal-Alkane Sigma-Complexes with Oxygen
Donor Co-Ligands. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133 (35), 13806-13809.
Email: [email protected]
Figure 1. Imine hydrogenation catalysed by a
Frustrated Lewis Pair (see: Org. Biomol.
Chem., 2008, 6, 1535).
1. Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP) Small molecule activationand catalysis.
The emergence of Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs) has led to the
activation of small molecules using group 13 and 15 centres.
This chemistry has been developed into useful chemical
transformations, where the group 15 molecule has been
transformed (Figure 1). I am currently exploring catalytic
reactivity of customised FLPs..
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
63
Dr CHAN Sau Han Edith
Lecturer
Ph.D., The University of Hong Kong; M.Phil., The Chinese University of HongKong; B.Sc.(Hons), The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/chansh.htm
Email: [email protected]
TEACHING AND RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Teaching interests include coordination chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, medicinal inorganic
chemistry and spectroscopic applications in inorganic chemistry.
• Teaching experiences in transition metal chemistry, general inorganic chemistry, biomolecules,
spectroscopic applications in inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry, coordination chemistry,
bioinorganic chemistry, general organic chemistry, material science, and a number of practical
courses including the topics of environmental science, spectroscopic applications, inorganic
chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry and physical chemistry.
• Research interests and experience include chemical biology and coordination chemistry.
• Educational research interests in medicinal inorganic chemistry and spectroscopic applications in
inorganic chemistry, and blended teaching and learning methods in inorganic chemistry.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Pavlova, S. V.; To, H. L.; Chan, E. S. H.; Li, H. W.; Mak, T. C. W.; Lee, H. K.; Chan, S. I. Synthesis,
Structure and Dioxygen Reactivity of a Bis(m-Iodo)Di-Copper(I) Complex Supported by the N-(3,5-di-
Tert-Butyl-2-Hydroxybenzyl)-N,N-di-(2-Pyridylmethyl) Amine Ligand. Dalton Trans. 2006, 18, 2232-
2243.
• Tong, Y. L.; Yan, Y.; Chan, E. S. H.; Yang, Q. C.; Mak, T. C. W.; Ng, D. K. P. Cis-Dioxo-Tungsten(VI) and -
Molybdenum(VI) Complexes with N2O2 Tetradentate Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, Electrochemistry
and Oxo-transfer Properties. Dalton Trans. 1998, 18, 3057-3064.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Organising committee member, 9th Asian Biological Inorganic Chemistry Conference (AsBIC9), 2018.
• Departmental Student Exchange Programme (SEP) Coordinator, NUS, 2008(Jan.)-2014(Aug.), & 2016
(April) – present.
• Judge, Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF), 2013-2017.
• Judge, 12th Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge, 2016.
• Organizing committee member, International Conference on Coordination Chemistry (ICCC-41),
2014.
• Hon. Treasurer and Scientific Co-Chair, International Conference on Green & Sustainable Chemistry
(ICGSC), 2009.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
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Dr CHUI Sin Yin, StephenLecturerChair of teaching laboratory
Ph.D., Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 1999. University ofHong Kong, 2001-2011.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/chuiSY.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Structure-Property Relation of Functional Molecules
Fundamental understanding of this concept is of interests for both basic and applied research. New
crystalline condensed and open framework materials exhibiting interesting solid-state properties such
as selective gaseous adsorption, charge-transport, magnetism, ferroelectricity, vapoluminescence,
liquid-crystal behaviours are of academic, scientific and technological impacts to our society.
Crystallography for Chemical Education
Commercial and open-access crystallographic database such as CSD, ICSD-FIZ, COD and AMCSD are
the world’s repository of experimental crystal structures of various organic and inorganic compounds.
Subsequent strategic exploration, innovations, analysis and transformations with all these useful
experimental evidence or resources for educational or pedagogical purpose would enhance a variety
of teaching and learning outcomes for our undergraduate core and advanced elective modules, which
are beneficial to teachers and students. Crystallography in Undergraduate Classrooms is of interest as
implemented by using freely downloadable software – OLEX2 for teaching structure determination of
X-ray structures of molecular and polymeric organic, inorganic and organometallics compounds.
Furthermore, exploring the uses of qualitative and quantitative phase analyses by X-ray powder
diffraction for teaching undergraduate practical modules are of current interests and in progress.
TEACHING AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
CM2111 – Inorganic Chemistry 2CM2191 – Experiment in Chemistry 2CM3291 – Advanced Experiments Organic and Inorganic ChemistryCM4214 – Structural Methods in Inorganic ChemistryChair of Teaching Laboratories
Departmental Coordinator of Undergraduate Research Opportunities Projects in Science (UROPS)
Chemistry Safety Committee Member – Educator-Track Representative
Chairperson of CHEMDAYCAMP of NUS CHEM WEEK 2013 2015 2017
Deputy Mentor of Singapore Team for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2014
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Tang, Y. Y.; Chui, S. S. Y.; Shih, K.; Zhang, L. R. Copper Stabilization via Spinel Formation during the
Sintering of Simulated Copper-Laden Sludge with Aluminum-Rich Ceramic Precursors. Env. Sci.Technol. 2011, 45 (8), 3598-3604.
• Kui, S. C. F.; Chui, S. S. Y.; Che, C. M.; Zhu, N. Y. Structures, Photoluminescence, and Reversible
Vapoluminescence Properties of Neutral Platinum(ii) Complexes Containing Extended pi-
conjugated Cyclometalated Ligands. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128 (25), 8297-8309.
• Chui, S. S. Y.; Chen, R.; Che, C. M. A Chiral [2] Catenane Precursor of the Antiarthritic Gold(I) Drug
Auranofin. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2006, 45 (10), 1621-1624
• Chui, S. S. Y.; Ng, M. F, Y.; Che, C. M. Structure Determination of Homoleptic AuI, AgI, and CuI
aryl/alkylethynyl Coordination Polymers by X-ray Powder Diffraction. Chem. Eur. J. 2005, 11(6),
1739-1749. [Front Cover Page].
• Lo, S. M. F.; Chui, S. S. Y.; Shek, L. Y.; Lin, Z. Y.; Zhang, X. X.; Wen, G. H.; Williams, I. D. Solvothermal
Synthesis of a Stable Coordination Polymer with Copper-I-copper-II Dimer units: [Cu4{1,4-
C6H4(COO)2}3(4,4'-bipy)2]n. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122 (26), 6293-6294.
• Chui, S. S. Y.; Lo, S. M. F.; Charmant, J. P. H.; Orpen, A. G.; Williams, I. D. A Chemically
Functionalizable Nanoporous Material [Cu3(TMA)2(H2O)3]n. Science 1999, 283 (5405), 1148-1150.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
65
Dr FOO Maw Lin
Lecturer
Special Appointed Assistant Professor: Kyoto University and Tokyo University(2012-2015); Post-doctoral Associate: UC Berkeley and Kyoto University (2008-2012); Ph.D. Princeton University (2005); B.Sc. (Hons) and M.Sc. NationalUniversity of Singapore (2000)
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/FooML.htm
Email: [email protected]
PEDAGOGICAL AND RESEARCH INTERESTS
Pedagogical interests include employment of Socratic methods to teach physical/inorganic chemistry
with focus on real-life applications. Application of technology to facilitate laboratory teaching and
learning.
Research interest include physical properties (photocatalytic, electrical, magnetic and gas adsorption) of
2D solid-state inorganic compounds and metal organic frameworks. Structural elucidation of crystal
structures via single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Foo, M. L.; Matsuda, R.; Hijikata, Y.; Krishna, R.; Sato, H.; Horike, S.; Hori, A.; Duan, J. G. ; Sato, Y.;
Kubota, Y.; Takata, M.; Kitagawa, S. An Adsorbate Discriminatory Gate Effect in a Flexible Porous
Coordination Polymer for Selective Adsorption of CO2 over C2H2. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138 (9),
3022-3030.
• Foo, M. L.; Matsuda, R.; Kitagawa, S. Functional Hybrid Porous Coordination Polymers. Chem. Mater.2014, 26 (1), 310-322.
• Foo, M. L.; Horike, S.; Inubushi, Y.; Kitagawa, S. An Alkaline Earth I3O0 Porous Coordination Polymer:
Ba2TMA(NO3)(DMF). Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51 (25), 6107-6111.
• Schaak, R. E.; Klimczuk, T.; Foo, M. L.; Cava, R. J. Superconductivity phase diagram of
NaxCoO2∙1.3H2O. Nature 2003, 424 (6948), 527-529.
• Foo, M. L.; Wang, Y. Y.; Watauchi, S.; Zandbergen, H. W.; He, T.; Cava, R. J.; Ong, N. P. Charge
ordering, commensurability, and metallicity in the phase diagram of the layered NaxCoO2. Phys. Rev.Lett. 2004, 92 (24), 247001.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
Dodds University Honorific Fellowship, Princeton University (2004-2005)
Senior Chemist, Air Products and Chemicals (2006-2008), commercialized one amine curing agent
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
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Dr HOANG Truong Giang
Lecturer
B.Sc., National University of Singapore (2004, First Class Honors) Ph.D.,University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA (2012)
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/Giang.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Chemical Education: we are interested in designing new chemistry experiments to advance education
in undergraduate laboratory. Our focus are organic and medicinal chemistry experiments that
incorporate guide-inquiry pedagogy and modern concept of green chemistry.
Organic Synthesis: Development of new reaction methodologies via transition metal catalyzed bond
activation processes.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS• Hoang, G. T.; Kubo, T.; Young, V. G.; Kautzky, J. A.; Wissinger, J. E. Illustrating the Utility of X-ray
Crystallography for Structure Elucidation through a Tandem Aldol Condensation/Diels-Alder
Reaction Sequence. J. Chem. Educ. 2015, 92 (8), 1381-1384.
• Hoang, G. T.; Pan, Z. D.; Brethorst, J. T.; Douglas, C. J. Intramolecular Oxyacylation of Alkenes Using a
Hydroxyl Directing Group. J. Org. Chem. 2014, 79 (23), 11383-11394.
• Hoang, G. A. T.; Reddy, V. J.; Nguyen, H. H. K.; Douglas, C. J. Insertion of an Alkene into an Ester:
Intramolecular Oxyacylation Reaction of Alkenes through Acyl C-O Bond Activation. Angew. Chem.Int. Ed. 2011, 50 (8), 1882-1884. [Selected by the Editorial Board as a “Hot Paper”].
• Chng, S. S.; Hoang, T. G.; Lee, W. W. W.; Tham, M. P.; Ling, H. Y.; Loh, T. P. Synthetic studies towards
anti-SARS agents: application of an indium-mediated allylation of alpha-aminoaldehydes as the key
step towards an intermediate. Tetrahedron Lett. 2004, 45 (52), 9501-9504.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
New experiments were designed based on the Diels–Alder reaction of 2,3,4,5-
tetraphenylcyclopentadienone, which is synthesized prior to or in a one-pot reaction, with styrene.
Students are presented with three possible products, the endo and exo diastereomers and the
decarbonylated product. Both versions of the synthesis introduce students to two important and atom
economical reactions, use of the Karplus relationship for 1H NMR interpretation, and the power of X-
ray crystallography for molecular structure determination.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
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Dr Adrian Michael, LEE
Senior Lecturer
Singapore Millenn. Found. Fellow, National Univ. of Singapore, 2002-2004;Postdoc., Univ. of Cambridge, 2002; Ph.D., Univ. of Cambridge, 1997; M.A., Univ.of Cambridge, 1996; B.A., Univ. of Cambridge, 1992
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/aml.htm
Email: [email protected]
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• NASA Achievement Award, NASA, 1996
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We study the development and application of fragment-based quantum chemical methods to
accurately describe the properties and interactions of very large molecules. Specific foci are:
• Calculating the interaction energy between a neuraminidase substrate and several inhibitors,
including tamiflu and relenza.
• Optimisation of molecules within the energy-based fragmentation approximation and the
application of such techniques to nmr structure elucidation.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : ettens, R. P. A.; Lee, A. M., On the accurate reproduction of ab initio interaction energies between
an enzyme and substrate. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2007, 449 (4-6), 341-346.
This study reports the fragmentation of an entire enzyme and substrate and shows that the majority of
the small fragment molecule interactions can be accurately evaluated without the need to compute the
ab initio interaction energy. The perturbation approach presented in this work indicates the possibility
to perform accurate first principles molecular dynamics in systems as large as proteins.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Lee, A. M.; Bettens, R. P. A. First Principles NMR Calculations by Fragmentation. J. Phys. Chem. A.2007, 111 (23), 5111-5115.
• Bettens, R. P. A.; Lee, A. M. A New Algorithm for Molecular Fragmentation in Quantum Chemical
Calculations. J. Phys. Chem. A. 2006, 110 (28), 8777-8785.
• Lee, A. M.; Roscoe, H. K.; Jones, A. E.; Haynes, P. H.; Shuckburgh, E. F.; Morrey, M. W.; Pumphrey, H.
C. The Impact of the Mixing Properties within the Antarctic Stratospheric Vortex on Ozone Loss in
Spring. J. Geophys. Res. 2001, 106 (D3), 3203-3211.
• Roscoe, H. K.; Jones, A. E.; Lee, A. M. Midwinter Start to Antarctic Ozone Depletion: Evidence from
Observations and Models. Science 1997, 278 (5335), 93-96.
• Wales, D. J.; Lee, A. M. Structure and Rearrangements of Small Trapped-Ion Clusters. Phys. Rev. A.1993, 47 (1), 380-393.
The −0.018 a.u. isosurface of the electrostatic potential
for the influenza neuraminidase tetramer computed
from first principles via energy-based molecular
fragmentation. This isosurface reveals that the most
energetically favorable approach of an anion to the
tetramer is only along a path that leads to a region of
the enzyme that includes the active site and secondary
binding site for sialic acid.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
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Dr LEONG Lai Peng
Senior Lecturer
Ph.D., Univ. of Leeds, 2000; M.Sc., Univ. of Leeds, 1996; B.Sc.(Hon), UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia, 1995
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/leonglp.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Main interest is in kinetics of chemical reactions in application to foods either during processing or
involving the development of methods for the analysis of foods. Specific foci are:
• Analysis of antioxidants in foods especially in relation to synergistic effect of antioxidants in micro
and nanoemulsion.
• Kinetics of Maillard reaction and antioxidant reactions in foods and in model system.
• Shelf life study of foods.
Also involved in the development of new food products for the food industry, sensory analysis of foods
and consumer perception studies. Other research area includes the migration of toxic contaminants in
foods and the authenticity of indigenous foods.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Ref. : Chua, Y. G.; Chan, S. H.; Bloodworth, B. C.; Li, S. F. Y.; Leong, L. P., Identification of Edible Bird's Nest
with Amino Acid and Monosaccharide Analysis. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2015, 63 (1), 279-289.
The paper aims to identify Edible Bird's Nest based in the composition of amino acid and
monosaccharide. Such techniques can be used to authenticate foods for the prevention of food frauds.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Chua, Y. G.; Chan, S. H.; Bloodworth, B. C.; Li, S. F. Y.; Leong, L. P. Identification of Edible Bird's Nest
with Amino Acid and Monosaccharide Analysis. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2015, 63 (1), 279-289.
• Goh, F. X. W.; Itohiya, Y.; Shimojo, R.; Sato, T.; Hasegawa, K.; Leong, L. P. Using Naturally Brewed Soy
Sauce to Reduce Salt in Selected Foods. J. Sens. Stud. 2011, 26 (6), 429-435.
• Thavasi, V.; Bettens, R. P. A.; Leong, L. P. Temperature and Solvent Effects on Radical Scavenging
Ability of Phenols. J. Phys. Chem. A. 2009, 113 (13), 3068-3077.
• , S. P.; Leong, L. P.; Koh, J. H. W. Antioxidant Activities of Aqueous Extracts of Selected Plants. Food
Chem. 2006, 99 (4), 775-783.
• Sun, C. L.; Leong, L. P.; Barlow, P. J.; Chan, S. H.; Bloodworth, B. C. Single Laboratory Validation of a
Method for the Determination of Bisphenol A, Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether and its Derivatives in
Canned Foods by Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography. J. Chromatogr. A. 2006, 1129 (1), 145-
148.
• Shui, G. H.; Leong, L. P. Analysis of Polyphenolic Antioxidants in Star Fruit using Liquid
Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry. J. Chromatogr. A. 2004, 1022 (1-2), 67-75 .
• Shui, G. H.; Leong, L. P. Separation and Determination of Organic Acids and Phenolic Compounds in
Fruit Juices and Drinks by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. J. Chromatogr. A. 2002, 977
(1), 89-96.
• Leong, L. P.; Shui, G. An Investigation of Antioxidant Capacity of Fruits in Singapore Markets. Food
Chem. 2002, 76 (1), 69-75.
• Leong, L. P.; Wedzicha, B. L. A Critical Appraisal of the Kinetic Model for the Maillard Browning of
Glucose with Glycine. Food Chem. 2000, 68 (1), 21-28.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
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Dr LIU Mei Hui
Lecturer
BSc (Hons), National University of Singapore, Food Science and Technology,2003; Ph.D. ,National University of Singapore (Molecular Biology), 2007
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/lmh.html
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Molecular Nutrition- Diet induced transcription regulation of Nuclear Receptors, their co-regulators
and non-coding RNAs in clinically relevant pathways using Genomics and Molecular approaches
• Nutrigenetics- Modulation of individual susceptibility to insulin resistance
• Nutrigenomics- Stratified nutritional strategies for the Asian population
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Liu, M.H.; Cheung, E. Systems Biology of Nuclear Hormone Signalling and Gene Regulation. In
Signaling Gene Regulation and Cancer; Singh, S.R.; Mishra, M.K., Ed.; Nova Science Publishers Inc. :
New York, 2012; pp 173-198.
• Mason, C. E.; Shu, F. J.; Wang, C.; Session, R. M.; Kallen, R. G.; Sidell, N.; Yu, T. W.; Liu, M. H.; Cheung,
E.; Kallen, C. B. Location Analysis for the Estrogen Receptor-Alpha Reveals Binding to Diverse ERE
Sequences and Widespread Binding within Repetitive DNA Elements. Nucleic Acids Res. 2010, 38
(7), 2355-2368.
• Fullwood, M. J.; Liu, M. H.; Pan, Y. F. et al. An Estrogen-Receptor-Alpha-Bound Human Chromatin
Interactome. Nature 2009, 462 (7269), 58-64.
• Pan, Y. F.; Wansa Kd Fau - Liu, M. H.; Liu Mh Fau - Zhao, B.; Zhao B Fau - Hong, S. Z.; Hong Sz Fau -
Tan, P. Y.; Tan Py Fau - Lim, K. S.; Lim Ks Fau - Bourque, G.; Bourque G Fau - Liu, E. T.; Liu Et Fau -
Cheung, E.; Cheung, E. Regulation of Estrogen Receptor-Mediated Long Range Transcription via
Evolutionarily Conserved Distal Response Elements. J. Biol. Chem. 2008, 283 (47), 32977- 32988 .
• Yong, E. L.; Li J Fau - Liu, M. H.; Liu, M. H. Single Gene Contributions: Genetic Variants of Peroxisome
Proliferator-Activated Receptor (Isoforms Alpha, Beta/Delta and Gamma) and Mechanisms of
Dyslipidemias. Curr. Opin. Lipidol. 2008, 19(2), 106- 112.
• Liu, M.H.; Li, J.; Shen, P.; Tai, E.S.; Yong, E.L. A Natural Polymorphism in Peroxisome Proliferator-
Activated Receptor-Alpha Hinge Region Attenuates Transcription due to Defective Release of
Nuclear Receptor Corepressor from Chromatin. Mol. Endocrinol. 2008, 22 (5), 1078-1092.
• Shen, P.; Liu, M.H.; Ng, T.Y.; Chan, Y.H.; Yong, E.L. Differential Effects of Isoflavones, from Astragalus
Membranaceus and Pueraria Thomsonii, on the Activation of PPARα, PPARγ, and Adipocyte
Differentiation In Vitro. J. Nutr. 2006, 136(4), 899-905.
• Loy, C. J.; Evelyn S Fau - Lim, F. K.; Lim Fk Fau - Liu, M. H.; Liu Mh Fau - Yong, E. L.; Yong, E. L. Growth
Dynamics of Human Leiomyoma Cells and Inhibitory Effects of the Peroxisome Proliferator-
Activated Receptor-Gamma Ligand, Pioglitazone. Mol. Hum. Reprod. 2005, 11, 561-566.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Visiting Fellow, Cornell University, 2010
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Genome Institute of Singapore, 2007-2013
A*STAR Graduate Scholar (2004); A*STAR Postdoctoral Fellow (2010)
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
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Dr Linda SELLOU
Lecturer
Ph.D. (2008): Bristol University, UK, M.Sc. [Hons] (2004): Lille, France
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/Sellou.html
Email: [email protected]
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS• Sellou, L.; Harrison T. G. Big smile! Toothpaste Chemistry. Chem. Rev. 2008, 17, 2.
• Shallcross, D. E.; Harrison, T. G.; Henshaw, S.; Sellou. L. Fuelling Interest: Climate Change
Experiments. Sci. Sch. 2009, 11, 38-43.
• Shaw, A. J.; Harrison, T. G.; Medley, M. I.; Sellou, L.; Shallcross, K. L.; Croker, S. J.; Williams, S. J.,
Shallcross, D. E. University-School Partnerships: Polymer Chemistry Days Run at a University for 14-
15 year Olds and Their Impact on Attitudes to Science’. Acta Didact. Napocensia 2010, 3 (1), 9-26.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Colloidal chemistry, Structure in Colloidal Silica and its influence on abrading surfaces
Characterise the physical properties of silica particles on surfaces and relate them to their internal
structures. Understand the relationship between the physical properties of the particles and the
abrasion produced on surfaces by brushing. This research was in collaboration with Professor Martin
Addy from Bristol’s Department of Oral & Dental Science, because the types of silica involved in the
study are used in the manufacture of toothpaste and Professor Rob Richardson from the Physics
Department, Bristol for the X-rays scattering facilities.
Recipient of the University Engagement Awards for 2008 for International Outreach, University of Bristol.
MAJOR RECOGNITION
CURRENT INTEREST IN OUTREACH AND CHEMICAL EDUCATION• Developing chemistry outreach and awareness amongst school students and general public in
Singapore and South East Asia and pedagogy to teach chemistry at the undergraduate level.
• Outreach Experience: Teaching Fellowship, Bristol ChemLabS, Centre for Excellence in Teaching and
Learning (CETL). Invited Speaker at Rhodes University (South Africa), National University of Malaysia
(UKM) and Chemistry workshops for both public and schools’ engagement in UK, Jersey, Ireland,
Singapore, Brunei, France and South Africa.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
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Dr TAN Sue Qing Emelyn
Senior Lecturer
Ph.D., Univ. of Canterbury, 2006; B.Sc. (Hons), Univ. of Canterbury, 2002
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/tansq.htm
Email: [email protected]
TEACHING, EDUCATION RESEARCH AND OTHER INTERESTS
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Faculty Teaching Excellence Award AY2012/2013
• Excellent Young Teacher Award AY2010/2011
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Lee, G. Y. P.; Chang, L.; Tan, W. Y.; Tan, J. Y. C.; Tan E. S. Q. “Are Chemistry Educational Apps Useful?”
– A Quantitative Study with Three In-House Apps. Chem. Ed. Res. Prac. 2018, Advance Articlepublished.
• Tan, E. S. Q.; Soo, Y. J. Creating Apps: A Non-IT Educator’s Journey Within a Higher Education
Landscape. In Mobile Learning in Higher Education in the Asia Pacific: Harnessing Trends and
Challenging Orthodoxies, ed. Murphy, A., Farley, H., Dyson, L. E. and Jones, H.; Springer : Asia, 2017;
pp 213-238.
• Tan, E. S. Q.; Teo, J. L. D. Appsolutely Smartphones: Usage and Perception of Apps for Educational
Purposes. Asian J. Scholar. Teach. Learn. 2015, 5, 55-75.
• Chin, C. F.; Tian, Q.; Setyawati, M. I.; Fang, W.; Tan, E. S. Q.; Leong, D. T.; Ang, W. H. Tuning the
Activity of Platinum(IV) Anticancer Complexes through Asymmetric Acylation, J. Med. Chem. 2012,
55, 7571-7582.
• Rong, J.; Dao, T. K. L.; Xu, B. X.; Xu, J. W.; Goh, B. L.; TAN, E. S. Q.; Xie H. Q.; Liew, T. Lubricant Pickup
Under Laser Irradiation. IEEE Trans. Magn. 2011, 47, 1988-1991.
• Tan, E. S. Q.; Ridha, W.; Toh, C. S. Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Aptamer-Based
Electrochemical Sensors for Thrombin. Electroanalysis 2009, 21, 749-754.
Screenshot from 3D Sym Op
(above) and ARMolVis (below).
• Teach analytical, general, physical and material chemistry
modules.
• Educational research include development of technology
enhanced teaching tools focusing on molecular animations
media and mobile apps, and evaluating their educational
impact.
Tools aim to enable 3D spatial visualisation at a molecular
scale.
• Media at YouTube channel NUS Chem Emelyn Tan.
• Mobile apps published on Apple App Store and Google
Play Store to date are SYM MO, SM2 Chem, Animol, 3D
Sym Op and ARMolVis.
• Chair for Outreach Committee
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
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Dr XU Hairuo
Lecturer
B.Sc., 2003, Peking University; Ph.D., 2009, National University of Singapore
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/xuhr.htm
Email: [email protected]
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Synthesis and characterization of semiconductor nanomaterials with tunable optical properties
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Xu, H. Adopting a Paperless Laboratory Report Management System: A Feasibility Study. CDTL Brief2015, 18 (1), 14-18.
• Lim, X.; Xu, H.; Chew, Y. H. N.; Phua, Y. H.; Sie, E. J.; Sum, T. C. ; Chia, G. H.; Chin, W. S. ; Sow, W. S.
Nanoparticle Fractionation using an Aligned Carbon Nanotube Array. Nanotechnology 2010, 21,
295702.
• Liu, T.; Xu, H.; Chin, W. S.; Yang, P.; Yong, Z.; Wee, A.T.S., Local Structures of Zn1-xTMxO (TM=Co,
Mn, and Cu) Nanoparticles Studied by X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy and Multiple
Scattering Calculations. J. Phys. Chem. C. 2008, 112, 13410-13418.
• Feng, X.; Ang, Y. L.; He, J.; Beh, C. W. J.; Xu, H.; Chin, W. S.; Ji, W. Three-Photon Absorption in
Semiconductor Quantum Dots: Experiment. Opt. Express 2008, 16, 6999-7005.
• Liu, T.; Xu, H.; Chin, W.S.; Yong, Z.; Wee, A.T.S Local Structural Evolution of Co-doped ZnO
Nanoparticles upon Calcination Studied by In Situ Quick-Scan XAFS. J. Phys. Chem. C. 2008, 112,
3489-3495.
• Zhang, Z. H. ; Lu, M. H.; Xu, H.; Chin, W. S., Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Zinc Oxide: a Simple
Method to Prepare Metal Oxide Nanocrystals in Nonaqueous Medium. Chem. Eur. J. 2007, 13, 632-
638.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
• Coordinator of Graduate Teaching Assistant assignment and training
TEACHING
• CM1131 Physical Chemistry 1
• CM2192 Experiments in Chemistry 3
• CM3232 Physical Chemistry of the Solid State and Interfaces
• CM3292 Advanced Experiments in Analytical and Physical Chemistry
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
73
Dr ZHANG Sheng
Lecturer
Ph.D., National University of Singapore, 2008; B.Sc., Peking University, 2003
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/zhangs.htm
Email: [email protected]
TEACHING
• CM1121 Organic Chemistry I
• CM1401 Chemistry for Life Sciences
• CM1191 Experiments in Chemistry I
• CM2121 Organic Chemistry II
• CM2191 Experiments in Chemistry II
• CM3291 Advanced Experiments in Organic & Inorganic Chemistry
• CM5121 Graduate Organic Chemistry
RESEARCH INTEREST
Chiral Separation by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
• Excellent Young Teacher Award
• Mentor of Singapore Team for International Chemistry Olympiad
• Mentor of Singapore Chemistry Olympiad
• Judge of Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF)
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS 2017/2018
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Dr. Michael Yudistira PATUWO
Instructor
B.Sc. (Hons), 2007, National University of Singapore
Ph.D., 2011, National University of Singapore
Email: [email protected]
Mr. FUNG Fun Man
Instructor
B.Sc. (Hons), 2010, National University of Singapore
M.Sc., 2012, National University of Singapore & Technische Universität München
Ph.D., National University of Singapore (in progress)
Email: [email protected]
Dr. TAN Wee Boon
Instructor
B. Sc. (Hons), 2005, National University of Singapore
Ph.D., National University of Singapore, 2015
Email: [email protected]
Dr. CHONG Yuan Yi
Instructor
B.Sc. (Hons) 1st Class, 2009, National University of Singapore
Ph.D., 2014, National University of Singapore
Email: [email protected]
Dr. CHEN Litai, Jeremiah
Instructor
B.Sc (Hons) 2008, National University of Singapore
Ph.D. 2016, National University of Singapore
Email: [email protected]
TEACHING STAFF
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Ms. THYAGARAJAN Saradha
Instructor
M.Sc., 1992, University of Madras
M.Ed., 1998, University of Madras
M.Phil., 2005, Bharadhidasan University, India
Email: [email protected]
Dr. ONG Yue Ying
Teaching Assistant
B.Sc. (Hons), 2005, National University of Singapore
Ph.D. 2016, National University of Singapore
Email: [email protected]
TEACHING STAFF
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Chemical, Molecular and Materials Analysis Centre (CMMAC)
Established in 1998, the Chemical, Molecular and Materials Analysis Centre (CMMAC)
at the Department of Chemistry, NUS, is a central instrumentation facility providing
professional support to teaching and research in the academia and industry.
The instruments in the CMMAC laboratories encompass a wide range of analytical
techniques. Combined with the knowledge of the Department's academic staff,
CMMAC is well positioned to provide solutions in chemical, molecular and materials
analyses.
Our extended vision is to be a premier knowledge resource in providing solutions to
local and regional enterprises. We promote close research interactions among
scientists, establish collaborative research programmes, provide training in chemical
instrumentation and conduct courses of current interests.
The Centre is headed by Associate Professor Chin Wee Shong and consists of a
consortium of eight laboratories:
1. Chromatography Laboratory
2. Electron Microscopy Laboratory
3. Electron Spin Resonance Laboratory
4. Elemental Analysis Laboratory
5. Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
6. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory
7. Thermal Analysis Laboratory
8. X-ray Diffraction Laboratory
9. Specialised Instruments
CHEMICAL, MOLECULAR AND MATERIALS ANALYSIS CENTRE
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NUS Chemical Sciences Society (CSS)
NUS ACS Student Chapter (ACSSC)
STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS
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ACSSC President: Mr Tan Jin Hui, Max
ACSSC Vice President: Ms Wong Shuyii
ACSSC Advisor: Assoc Prof Chin Wee Shong
CSS President: Mr Ismail Samsudin
CSS Vice President: Ms Huang Rui Ting and Mr Lin Qi Hao, Leroy
CSS Advisor: Asst Prof Chng Shu Sin
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NUS Chemistry Graduate Society (CGS)
CGS President: Ms Deepshikha Arora
CGS Advisor: Dr Foo Maw Lin
STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS
Department of Chemistry
National University of Singapore
Block S8 level 3
3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543
www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg