معرفی
Michael S. Wong is the Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and holds the Tina and Sunit Patel Professorship in Molecular Nanotechnology at Rice University. He has joint appointments in the Departments of Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Materials Science and NanoEngineering within the George R. Brown School of Engineering. Educated at Caltech (B.S.), MIT (M.S., Ph.D.), and UCSB (postdoctoral training), Dr. Wong has built an internationally recognized research program focused on applying materials chemistry to solve chemical engineering problems, particularly in energy and environmental applications.
Dr. Wong's research program broadly addresses chemical engineering problems using the tools of materials chemistry, with a particular interest in energy and environmental applications, especially "catalysis for clean water." His work emphasizes understanding synthesis-structure-property relationships in heterogeneous catalysis. Current research activities include structure-property analysis of palladium-on-gold catalysts, metal-on-metal nanoparticle synthesis, treatment of dioxane, nitrate, fluorocarbons, and chlorocarbons from water, sugar upgrading chemistry, and nanoparticle assembly. His lab has made significant contributions to PFAS destructive removal technologies, as evidenced by recent publications in Nature Water and other high-impact journals.
Dr. Wong leads the Catalysis and Nanomaterials Laboratory, which develops catalytic systems for clean water, clean energy, and clean chemistry. He serves as research thrust leader on multifunctional nanomaterials in the NSF-funded NEWT (Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment) Engineering Research Center and directs the Rice PFAS Alternatives and Remediation Center (R-PARC). His research has attracted significant funding from government agencies including the U.S. Department of the Interior and EPA.
- MIT TR35 Young Innovator Award
- AIChE Nanoscale Science and Engineering Young Investigator Award
- Smithsonian Magazine Young Innovator Award
- North American Catalysis Society Excellence in Applied Catalysis Award
- Lawrence K. Cecil Award
- Henry J. Albert Award from International Precious Metals Institute
- AIChE Fellow and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Dr. Wong has successfully mentored numerous PhD and Master's students, many of whom have gone on to faculty positions and research careers. His lab has received significant research funding, including from the NSF, DOE, and EPA. The Catalysis and Nanomaterials Laboratory, located in the Ralph S. O'Connor Building for Engineering and Science, fosters a culture of inclusion, respect, and excellence, believing diversity in thought and experience is critical to success in science and engineering.
