David Young

Professor David Young serves as Executive Dean (Academic) at Glasgow College, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), with primary affiliation at the University of Glasgow. A distinguished chemist specializing in materials science, he has held leadership roles including Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Technology and Director of the Confucius Institute at Charles Darwin University.

His educational journey includes a PhD from the University of Queensland, followed by postdoctoral training at University College of North Wales and Oxford University. Career progression spans Senior Tutor at University of Sydney, academic positions at Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University, Dean of Graduate Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Head of School at Monash University Malaysia, and Head of School at University of the Sunshine Coast.

Research focuses on metal-organic complexes, electroactive polymers, and catalysis, evidenced by approximately 300 publications. His recent work explores stimuli-responsive luminescent materials, photomechanical coordination polymers, and catalytic C-H functionalization. As Managing Editor of the Journal of Molecular and Engineering Materials, he bridges fundamental research with practical applications in energy conversion and sensing technologies.

Publication trends reveal strong emphasis on gold-phosphine complexes for mechanochromic materials (2024-2025), photocatalytic C-H activation methodologies, and nanomedicine applications of iron complexes. The research portfolio demonstrates consistent innovation in molecular design for functional materials.

• National Research Medal (Royal Australian Chemical Institute) ×2

Professor Young actively supervises PhD candidates including Wu Yixiao at Charles Darwin University. His leadership extends to journal editorship and strategic academic administration across multiple international institutions. Current research integrates coordination chemistry with materials engineering to develop next-generation optical sensors and energy materials.

He maintains laboratory collaborations focused on luminescent coordination polymers and photocatalytic systems, with ongoing projects exploring pressure-responsive optical switches and heavy metal detection platforms. The research team employs advanced crystallography, spectroscopy, and computational modeling to characterize novel materials.