Robin Chi Research Group

Organic Catalysis, Chemical Synthesis, Agrochemicals and Medicines

Robin Chi: Full Professor, President’s Chair in Chemistry, Singapore NRF Investigator.

School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Biotechnology, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371. Email: robinchi@ntu.edu.sg

Prof. Chi received undergraduate training from Tsinghua University and Hong Kong Baptist University (1998-2002), a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2002-2007) under the guidance of Prof. Samuel H. Gellman, and postdoctoral training from the University of California-Berkeley (2007-2009) under the guidance of Prof. Jean M. J. Fréchet. He began his independent career at Nanyang Technological University under the Singapore NRF fellowship scheme and was quickly promoted to the ranks of associate professor with tenure, full professor, and president’s chair in chemistry. Prof. Chi has received tens of significant awards and recognitions; served on various committees and advisory boards of international journals, funding agencies, academic institutes, public and private organizations; and led several major competitive research programs of both fundamental and industrial significance.

The Chi research group, composed of students, researchers, visiting scholars, and collaborators from both academic and industrial sectors, is committed to addressing significant challenges concerning chemical synthesis and functional molecules in the areas of chemistry, agrochemicals, medicines, and materials. For science/curiosity-driven research, we focus on developing original activation and reaction modes enabled by N-heterocyclic carbene and other organic molecules as key catalysts, creating sophisticated catalysis and chemo/site-selective reactions to address challenges in complex molecule synthesis and editing, designing concise synthetic strategies for rapid access to functional molecules, and advancing fundamental knowledge on catalysis and chemical synthesis. For user-inspired research, we are committed to creating bioactive molecules for medicinal and agricultural applications; innovating chemical methods as enabling tools for biomedical and materials research; and developing green synthesis and sustainable manufacturing processes for functional molecules. Our research in this direction has led to large-scale industrial applications at various stages.

More details can be found in our PUBLICATIONS and PATENTS.

Prof. Chi is committed to nurturing young generations of scientific minds, innovative entrepreneurs, and responsible leaders. The Chi lab welcomes highly self-motivated and creative individuals from diverse backgrounds in the above research areas, broadly defined. We keep openings for exceptional candidates-applicants can submit a CV with a research summary for initial consideration.

Selected Awards and Recognitions for Prof. Chi include President’s Chair Professorship, lead PI of NRF Competitive Research Program， Industrial Award in Synthetic Chemistry SNIC and TCI, Chemical Society of Japan Lectureship, Aldrich-Yale Lectureship, Singapore NRF Investigatorship, Nanyang Research Award, Singapore Young Scientist Award, GSK-EDB Award on Sustainable Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Singapore NRF Fellowship, and Abbott Laboratories Fellowship in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.