The 2023 APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) was won by Dr. Zheng Liu from Nanyang Technological University Singapore, with a total of six researchers from five APRU member universities making it into the group of sixteen nominees. The announcement was made in Seattle in late-August on the margins of the APEC 22nd Policy Partnership on Science and Technology Partnership Meeting (PPSTI) and the Third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting.

The science prize recognizes researchers who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in transformative scientific research through collaboration with other scientists from APEC member economies. This year’s prize theme, selected by the United States as the APEC 2023 host, was “Inclusive Science, Technology, and Innovation for a Resilient and Sustainable Environment” with a focus on promoting diverse perspectives and an inclusive scientific ecosystem.

Dr Lui’s outstanding research focuses on enhancing semiconducting electrocatalysts and photocatalysts for sustainable energy. Referring to himself as a gardener, Dr. Liu and his team develop 2D materials, specifically an extremely thin, flexible and strong film that conducts heat and electricity, in a campus laboratory of the National Technology University of Singapore. The other APRU member finalists were National Taiwan University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Science and Technology of China, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

For this innovation and the potential impact to help address climate risk, Dr Zheng was awarded a USD 25,000 prize supported by Wiley and Elsevier in a ceremony held in Seattle earlier this month.

Meet the 2023 Aspire Prize nominees.