About the H. J. Jiang Group
We use chemistry and materials science to create innovative solutions for energy, sustainability, and climate-related challenges. We train the next generation of scientists and conduct cutting-edge research that solves world's pressing problems.
Our Culture
“When I draw a molecule in China or in Argentina, it is the same molecule. People understand immediately without knowing Spanish or Chinese. That is beautiful. Our common goal is not about power or borders of the country, it is about bringing forward human knowledge.” – Ben Feringa (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 2016)
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Our group supports diversity, promotes equality, and considers inclusion as a culture,
where every voice is welcome, heard, and respected.
The People
Our team members bring a diverse range of perspectives, skills and expertise to the lab.
We value creativity, simplicity and impact. We work together to solve interdisciplinary problems.
Haihui Joy Jiang, Ph.D.
Group Leader / Chief Investigator
Joy is a USyd alum, completed B.Sci. Adv. in Chemistry and Math, followed by Honours I and Ph.D. in Chemistry (Warr Lab). She then moved to the United States, where she did postdoc research at Harvard University, in the Whitesides lab (Chemistry) and the Sasselov lab (Astronomy). Joy returned to USyd in 2024 as a Sydney Horizon Fellow to build her own research group.
William McLeod, Ph.D.
William is a postdoc scientist in the group. He completed PhD in Chemistry (J.G. Bell Lab) at Washington State University in the USA. He is currently interested in how magnetic fields can affect electrochemical systems,
including electro-organic synthesis and high-voltage plasma driven redox reactions.
Jack Coleman
Jack is currently doing his Honours degree, joint with Prof. Marcela Bilek's group in Physics & Engineering. He's thesis research is on the use of plasmas in chemical synthesis, and probing reaction mechanisms and kinetics in the gas phase.
Jack completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney majoring in Physics and Maths.
Priya Mehta
Priya is a Denison scholar and undergraduate research student, currently working on how lightning contributed to the chemical origin of life. At USyd, Priya is completing B.Sci. Adv. with double majors in Chemistry and Physics. She plans to start Honours research degree next year, and aspires to become an experimental researcher.
Masa Lurie
Masa is a 3rd year student at USyd, pursuing B.Sci. Adv. with Chemistry and Data Science double majors. He joined the group with the Denison scholarship to work on zero-carbon polymers for environmental remediation. Masa is passionate about combining chemistry with big data analysis, to develop innovative solutions to global sustainability challenges.
Jahan McLeod
Jahan is an undergrad research student and Dalyell scholar at USyd, completing a B.Sci. Adv. degree in Chemistry and Physics. Jahan is working on the contribution of minerals to nitrogen fixation on the early Earth. He has previously done research in quantum chemistry and condensed matter physics, and he plans to commence Honours research next year.
Zac Heydon
Zac is a 4th-year Dalyell student studying Biomed. Eng. and Med. Chemistry. He joined the group to research functional zero-carbon polymers and has a broader interest in the medical applications of materials. Next year, Zac plans to undertake Honours in Biomedical Engineering, with a focus on tissue engineering.
Alexis Au
Alexis is a 2nd-year Dalyell Scholar at the University of Sydney, pursuing a double Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Law. Her research focuses on the removal of harmful PFAS contaminants using plasma electrochemical systems. Alexis aspires to integrate chemistry with policy to drive meaningful change in addressing global sustainability issues.
Alumni
We had a great time doing science together, and we thank their contributions to the group!
And our USYD undergraduate researchers:
Rose Haran (2025; Med. Chem. and Med. Sci.)