Ruikun Zhao

Dr. Ruikun Zhao is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He obtained his PhD in Biophysical Chemistry from the University of East Anglia (UK) in 2013, an MSc in Material Science/Polymer Technology (2008), and a BSc in Applied Chemistry (2006) from Loughborough University (UK). He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PgCHE) from the UK (2015) and is a Fellow of the UK Advanced Higher Education (FHEA) since 2015.

• PhD: Biophysical Chemistry, University of East Anglia (2013)
• MSc: Material Science/Polymer Technology, Loughborough University (2008)
• BSc: Applied Chemistry, Loughborough University (2006)
• PgCHE: Higher Education Teaching, UK (2015)

Dr. Zhao's research spans two major domains: Biophysical Chemistry (spectroscopy of flavoproteins, ultrafast transient spectroscopy, green fluorescent protein) and Materials Science (2D nanomaterials, polymer rheology, protein crystallization). He also focuses on pedagogical research in chemistry education, employing innovative teaching methods like video-enabled activity-based learning.

His recent publications highlight applications of nano-layer materials in energy storage (e.g., supercapacitors, water splitting) and environmental treatment, alongside educational studies analyzing visualization techniques and pedagogical effectiveness. Collaborations include institutions in the UK, US, UAE, and China.

• Fellow of the UK Advanced Higher Education (FHEA)
• College Annual Journal Award (2019)

Dr. Zhao teaches General Chemistry (CHEM115) and contributes to pedagogical research via publications in the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. He is affiliated with the Petroleum Institute Research and emphasizes interdisciplinary collaborations.