Professor Wang Yong Joins HKU as Chair of Catalysis for Sustainability

Professor Yong Wang, a world renowned chemical engineer, has joined HKU as Chair of Catalysis for Sustainability within its newly established Department of Materials and Energy.

Professor Wang will also serve as Associate Dean (Industry Engagement) in the Faculty of Engineering, a role designed to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application.

Professor Wang is globally recognised for his pioneering work in converting carbon resources — including fuels, biomass, CO₂, and plastic waste — into sustainable chemicals and fuels with minimal environmental impact. His research directly addresses the urgent need for decarbonization technologies and green materials.

His track record reflects a proven ability to translate scientific discovery into real-world solutions. Holding 111 U.S. patents, more than 90% of which have been licensed to industry, Professor Wang has published nearly 500 papers in leading journals such as Nature and Science.

At HKU, Professor Wang will leverage his extensive experience to foster strategic collaborations between academia and industry. His appointment marks a significant step in strengthening HKU’s position as a global leader in sustainable energy and chemical engineering, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and developing environmentally friendly materials.

Professor Wang is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

He has published nearly 500 papers in leading journals including Nature, Science, and Nature Catalysis, achieving an H-index of 110 and more than 55,000 citations.