Chiara Neto

Professor Chiara Neto is a physical chemist at the University of Sydney, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and the University of Sydney Nano Institute. Her career spans roles from Lecturer (2007-2010) to Professor (2020-present), with an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2019-2023) and leadership in the Nano Institute's Molecular Nanoscience domain (2016-2018).

• Education: BSc (1998) and PhD (2001) from the University of Florence; Postdoctoral Fellowships in Germany and Australia

Research Interests focus on interfacial chemistry, superhydrophobic surfaces, and slippery liquid-infused coatings. She explores how nature-inspired surfaces can reduce drag in shipping, enable water self-cleaning, and harvest atmospheric water sustainably. Her work also addresses antifouling materials and biomedical surface optimization.

Recent Publications highlight nanobubble-mediated interfacial slip, water-harvesting coatings, and biocompatible liquid-infused surfaces, aligning with environmental sustainability and fluid dynamics.

Awards & Roles

• 2022 - Co-Founder, Dewpoint Innovations
• 2021 - Fellow, Royal Society of NSW
• 2015-2018 - President, Australasian Colloid and Interface Society
• Editorial roles in Langmuir, Advanced Materials Interfaces

Teaching includes CHEM3122-Molecular Self-Assembly and CHEM1901-Chemistry 1A. She actively supervises PhD students and leads international collaborations with institutions in Canada, Germany, and Italy.