Keynote Speakers
Patricia Hunt
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Heng Zhang
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Kazuhide Ueno
Yokohama National University, Japan
Nirmala Deenadayalu
Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Cameron Weber
University of Auckland, New Zealand
Eden Tanner
University of Mississippi, USA
Karolina Matuszek
Monash University, Australia
John Slattery
University of York, UK
Patricia Hunt Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Patricia Hunt is a Professor of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry at Victoria University of Wellington following professorial roles at Imperial College London. Her research examines chemistry and physics of solvents and solvation, particularly ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. She developed the Effective MO Method for analyzing electronic structure of liquids and studies catalytic mechanisms, chemical decomposition for green fuels, and hydrogen-bonding interactions.
Heng Zhang Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Heng Zhang is a Professor at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. His research concentrates on polymer electrolytes and solid-state batteries, particularly lithium-sulfur batteries and single lithium-ion conducting solid polymer electrolytes. He brings industrial experience from his role as Research Line Manager at CIC EnergiGUNE.
Kazuhide Ueno Yokohama National University, Japan
Kazuhide Ueno is a Professor at Yokohama National University specializing in ionic liquids and energy storage applications. His work advances understanding of solvate ionic liquids and their implementation in lithium-sulfur batteries. He is currently working on a project on battery applications of lithium ionic liquids.
Nirmala Deenadayalu Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Nirmala Deenadayalu leads the Department of Chemistry at Durban University of Technology as Professor and Head of Department. Her research encompasses thermodynamics, ionic liquids, and biomass processing. She contributes to academic development through extensive postgraduate supervision.
Cameron Weber University of Auckland, New Zealand
Cameron Weber is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Centre for Green Chemical Science at the University of Auckland. He received the ACES-NZIC Early Career Award in 2023. His research explores the structure and use of alternative solvents including ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents and switchable solvents, with a focus on their application in green chemistry.
Eden TannerUniversity of Mississippi, USA
Eden Tanner serves as Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Mississippi. Following postdoctoral work at Harvard University, she applies ionic liquids and nanomaterials to biomedical challenges, with particular focus on drug delivery systems.
Karolina MatuszekMonash University, Australia
Karolina Matuszek holds an Australian Research Council Early Career Industry Fellowship as Research Fellow at Monash University. Her research addresses renewable energy storage and sustainable catalysis, working closely with industry partners on sustainable thermal energy storage materials.
John Slattery
University of York, UK
John Slattery is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Chemistry at the University of York. His research interests include ionic liquids and catalysis. His group, and wider collaborative network, focus on developing detailed fundamental insights into liquid and gas-liquid interfacial structure, alongside mechanistic understanding, to facilitate the rational design of more effective and sustainable catalytic processes.