MOTIVATION

I dove into the world of nanomaterials to answer my inane questions when I first picked up Chemistry in secondary school, for example, I love asking why some materials (such as carbon and diamond) have the same composition but are so different in the way they look like and perform? Such questions kindled me to pursue my Bachelor, Master and PhD in material science and engineering to learn about nanomaterials, what makes them special and how to make them. Despite the challenges I faced along the way, the wonder of exploring the realm of nanomaterials always inspired me to dig deeper, culminating in a thorough investigation of a more sustainable approach to synthesizing novel nanomaterials with tailored pore characteristics.

I also love the dynamic environment in that scientists work to find new ways of dealing with global problems such as climate change, water pollution and pandemic. After finishing my PhD in October 2019, I decided to stay to further my research on porous materials, exploring new methodologies to make them even better for some useful applications.

My passion for teaching has allowed me to share my knowledge of chemical synthesis and inorganic material characterization with a focus on sustainability. I have also demonstrated my ability to work across disciplines, bringing my engineering skills in porous materials to a new field.

In recognition of my potential as a future research leader, I was awarded a highly competitive Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Prize Fellowship at the University of Bristol, UK. This fellowship has allowed me to conduct independent research and further demonstrate my ability to contribute to the field.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

EDUCATION

Porous materials synthesis and characterisation

Metal-organic frameworks, zeolites and activated carbons

Green chemistry

Using recycled and naturally available precursors, non-harmful solvents and upscalable synthesis

Molecular modelling and simulation

Using Monte Carlo (MC) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations

Energy Conversion and Storage

Using hierarchical structured porous materials

Innovative catalyst technologies

Using functional composites

2014 - 2019

University of Bristol (2016-2019)

Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

University of Bath (2014-2016)

Chemical Engineering (PhD - 1st year)

Sustainable Chemical Technologies (MRes)

2010 - 2012

Hanoi University of Mining and Geology

Petrochemical Engineering (MSc)

2004 - 2009

Hanoi University of Mining and Geology

Oil Refining and Petrochemistry (BSc)

ACADEMIC AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS

2020

Honourable Mention Award at the UK-wide Doctoral Researcher Award competition for the presentation of Novel hierarchical copper-based metal-organic frameworks for improved catalytic performance.

2019

Inspirational Bristol Scientist by the University of Bristol. This Award recognised my research contributions to the university and to the wider community. I have been an inspiration to others by being distinguished for academic excellence, outreach activities and promotion of STEM subjects.

Best Student Poster Prize by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for the presentation of Defective macroporous metal-organic frameworks with improved catalytic performance at the Second Joint NSFC-RSC Symposium on Sustainable Chemistry and Processes in York, UK.

2018

Materials Horizons Prize by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for the presentation of Tailorable porous metal-organic frameworks at the Emerging Material Technologies Summit (EMTS) in Hanoi, Vietnam.

2017

Best Student Poster Prize the MacDiarmid Institute for the presentation of A hierarchical porous material synthesised in a green solvent system at the 8th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (AMN8) in Queenstown, New Zealand.

2016

Dalton Transactions Prize by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for the presentation of Synthesis of hierarchical metal-organic frameworks in CO2 expanded solvent systems at the 39th British Zeolite Association Meeting in Bath, UK.

RESEARCH GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

I have successfully applied for more than £500k of fellowship, studentships, and research funding through various internal and external sources to develop my research career. This includes a highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship (£150k) and prestigious EPSRC scholarships (£100k) to carry out my PhD and postdoc research in the UK. I have also received ~£15k in awarded travel grants to present my research at international conferences, and more than £20k for seed funding projects (2019-2021) to initiate new collaborations and develop my research ideas.

2023

Seed Funding - Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) (Co-I)
Development of a MOF-plasmonic composite for direct CO2 capture and conversion

GEM neutron beamtime - UK Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) (Co-I)

Probing influence of structure and temperature on H2 and D2 adsorption in trapdoor zeolites via neutron diffraction (2310530)

2022

Emerging Innovations - Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) (Co-I)

Collaborated with Uplift360 in the project: Low carbon chemical recycling technology for para-aramids and high-value polymer composites

2021

Impact Acceleration Account Funding - EPSRC (PI)
Led a research project: Testing of metal-organic frameworks with advanced porous structures for industrial CO2 reduction technologies

Seed Funding - Worldwide University Network (Co-I)
Collaborated with National Cheng Kung University in a research project: High-capacity energy storage based on affordable and environmentally friendly materials

Research Fund - Royal Society of Chemistry (PI)
Led a research project: Novel porous materials for highly efficient photocatalytic applications

2020

Doctoral Prize Fellowship - Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (PI)
Led a research project: Development of new porous materials for electrochemical energy storage

Researcher Development Grant - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Pump Priming - University of Bristol (PI)

Led a funded research project: Development of defective porous materials for enhanced catalytic performance.

Seed Funding - UK Directed Assembly Network (PI)

Led a funded research project: Scalable fabrication of defective materials with hierarchical porous structures for enhanced mass transport in catalysis.

2019

GEM neutron beamtime - UK Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) (Co-I)

Experimental validation of solid hydrogen phases in porous materials via neutron diffraction (1910448)

Colston Research Society Travel Award - Bristol Doctoral College (BDC)

Presented my research at the 3rd International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks and Porous Polymers (EuroMOF 2019) in Paris, France.

Travel Grant - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Presented my research at the IUPAC Congress 2019 in Paris, France.

Student Funding - UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Presented my research at the European Conference on Neutron Scattering (ECNS 2019) in St Petersburg, Russia.

2018

International Strategic Funding (ISF) - University of Bristol (Co-I)

Established sustainable international research partnerships with RMIT, Australia in the project: Testing of novel hierarchical metal-organic frameworks for innovative catalyst technologies.

Travel Grants for PhD Students and Early Career Scientists - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Presented my research at the 85th IUVSTA Workshop on Nanoporous Materials for Green Energy Conversion and Storage in Graz, Austria.

Research Student Conference Fund - Institute of Physics (IOP)
Presented my research at the 8th International Workshop in Characterization of Porous Materials (CPM8) in Florida, USA.

Travel Bursaries for PhD students - International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)

Presented my research at the Emerging Material Technologies Summit (EMTS) in Hanoi, Vietnam.

2017

Alumni Foundation Conference Travel Award - University of Bristol
Presented my research at the 11th International Symposium on the Characterization of Porous Solids (COPS-XI) in Avignon, France.

2016

TOSCA INS neutron beamtime - UK Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) (Co-I)
Effects of pore geometry of nanoporous carbons on hydrogen densification using INS (1610401)

2014

Studentship - Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Award Holder)

Successfully applied for highly competitive scholarships to carry out a PhD project: Characterisation and properties testing of dynamic porous materials.

2012

Research Grant - Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (PI)

Pioneered and incorporated the industrial project: Regeneration of spent reforming catalysts from Dung Quat Refinery and using the synthesised catalyst in the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide.

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

I have demonstrated the impact of my research through participation in a diverse range of activities including grant applications, knowledge exchange and public engagement. Through disseminating my results in conferences (including 4 invited talks, 10 oral and over 10 poster presentations), I have expanded my network of academic contacts to pursue future collaborations. I have demonstrated my work via the production of short, accessible, research-based videos and public web-based YouTube channels to develop translation with the wider goal of increasing the Technology Readiness Level of my research.