Prof Jun Chen named UOW Vice-Chancellor’s Researcher of the Year

ACES Chief Investigator and University of Wollongong (UOW)’s Prof Jun Chen has been acknowledged as Researcher of the Year as part of the 2021 Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards.

Prof Jun Chen

Awarded for an outstanding contribution to UOW research outputs and reputation, Prof Chen will officially receive the honour of Researcher of the Year at the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards ceremony next month, held on Thursday, August 12.

“Receiving this prestigious award makes me feel proud and overwhelmed,” said Prof Chen.

Prof Chen, whose research focuses on electrofluidics, diagnostics and synthetic energy systems, is based at UOW’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI), the lead node for ACES. Prof Chen is also Head of Postgraduate Studies at IPRI and an Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

“This is a great recognition of research performance and contribution I do as part of the ACES and IPRI team at the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM) within the UOW. I do appreciate the award and am determined to move forward,” he said.

The impact of Prof Chen’s research in areas including 3D printing, biomaterials, conducting polymers, electrochemistry and renewable and sustainable energy was also recognised in last year’s Report for the Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers, demonstrated by the production of multiple highly-cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in the Web of Science.

“Jun exemplifies all that we at ACES strive to be – committed to fundamental research discoveries and equally committed to end-user engagement and impact,” said ACES Director Prof Gordon Wallace.

“Those that work alongside him cannot help but embrace the passion for excellence and innovation.”

Congratulations, Jun.

Find more information on the 2021 Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards and view the full list of winners here.