Education
PhD in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University
Staff title
Assistant Professor
With interests in combatting climate change and environmental pollution, Dr. Lam’s research direction focuses on applying electrocatalysis to transform renewable feedstock, such as biomass, into chemicals and fuels. Dr. Lam is also interested in designing electrocatalyst to degrade persistent organic pollutants in wastewater.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University, he developed a protocol to convert crude glycerol, a biodiesel refinery waste product, into lactic acid, a building block for biodegradable plastics. For his doctoral work at Michigan State University, Dr. Lam published a number of electrochemical strategies to convert biomass into liquid fuels.
Outside of lab work, Dr. Lam is an educator and an environment enthusiast. He has mentored numerous undergraduate researchers at MSU and Yale, as well as high school students in the MSU High School Honours Science Program (HSHSP). Dr. Lam has also been invited to design and teach an online certificate program on the practice of green chemistry for professional students at University of Washington. Then he taught at Wesleyan University before joining City University of Hong Kong.
Other Information
Research InterestsDr. Lam’s research focuses on turning industrial waste and non-edible biomass into useful liquid fuel and materials through chemical and electrochemical catalysis. He is also interested in exploring creative means to replace harmful chemicals with benign alternatives, and in promoting the use of recyclable or biodegradable materials that may be returned to nature with minimal or no post-treatment at the end of their useful lives.
Electrocatalysis for Organic Transformation
Industrial Waste and Biomass Valorisation
Renewable Energy Production from Biomass
E-Waste Recycling and Valuable Resource Extraction
Green Chemistry
Course TaughtSEE6214 Solid Waste Treatment and Management
SEE3003 Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies
Positions AvailablePhD candidatePotential graduate students interested in the topics of renewable energy and/or sustainable chemical production are welcome to contact Dr. Lam.
Applicants will have to go through a centralized admission process through the City University of Hong Kong with Dr. Lam's recommendation.
Postdoctoral Researcher in the field of Electrocatalysisor General CatalysisDutiesThe appointee will conduct routine research duties in the one of projects listed in Research Direction. Trainingwill be provided.
RequirementsA PhD degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related discipline. Knowledge in electrocatalysis is preferred.
At least 2 first-author papers in SCI-indexed journals.
Salary and Conditions of ServiceSalary offered will be highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include leave, medical and dental consultations at the campus clinic.
ApplicationApplications will be accepted until all the positions are filled. Please send the most current CV and 2 papers to Dr. Lam’s email atjason.lam@cityu.edu.hk. Suitable candidates will be invited for an online interview within 2 weeks.
City University of Hong Kong is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to the principle of diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, especially applicants who will enhance the diversity of our staff.
Selected PublicationsGaredew, M.;?Lam, C. H.*; Petitjean, L.; Huang, S.Q.; Song, B.; Lin, F.; Jackson, J.E.; Saffron, C. M.; Anastas, P. T.* “Electrochemical Upgrading of Depolymerized Lignin: A Review of Model Compound Studies” Green Chem., 2021, 23, 2868-2899.
Peng, Y.; Ruan, Q.;??Lam, C. H.;? Meng, F.;? Guan, C.-Y.;? Santoso, S. P.;? Zou, X.;? Yu, E. T.;? Chu, P. K.; Hsu, H.-Y., Plasma-implanted Ti-doped hematite photoanodes with enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance. J. Alloys Compd. 2021, 870, 159376.
Tu, Q.; Parvatker, A.; Garedew, M.; Harris, C.; Eckelman, M.; Zimmerman, J.; Anastas, P. T.;?Lam, C. H.*, Electrocatalysis Demonstrates Significant Climate Change Mitigation Potential for Chemical and Fuel Production, Environ. Sci. Technol. 2021, 55(5), 3240-3249.
Song, B.; Lin, R.;?Lam, C. H.; Wu, H.; Tsui, T.-H.; Yu, Y., Recent Advances and Challenges of Inter-disciplinary Biomass Valorization by Integrating Hydrothermal and Biological Techniques. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 2021, 135, 110370.
Xin, J.; Liu, M.; Zhang, G.; Wang, J.; Xia, Q.; Sun, Y.; Zhou, Z.; Zhang, W.; Wang, S.;?Lam, C. H.*; Yang, C.; Shen, J.; Chaudhari, R., Chemical Synthesis of Adipic Acid from Glucose and Derivatives: Challenges for Nanocatalyst Design. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2020, 8, 51, 18732–18754.
Garedew, M.; Lin, F.; Song, B.; de Winter, T. M.; Jackson, J.E.; Saffron, C. M.;?Lam, C. H.*; Anastas, P. T.* “Greener Routes to Biomass Waste Valorization: Lignin Transformation Through Electrocatalysis for Renewable Chemicals and Fuels Production” ChemSusChem,?2020, 13, 1-25.
Lam, C. H.*; Deng, W.; Lang, L.; Jin, X.; Hu, X.; Wang, Y., Minireview on Bio-Oil Upgrading via Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation: Connecting Biofuel Production with Renewable Power. Energy Fuels 2020, 34 (7), 7915-7928.
Hu, X.; Zhang, Z.;? Gholizadeh, M.;? Zhang, S.;??Lam, C. H.;? Xiong, Z.; Wang, Y., Coke Formation during Thermal Treatment of Bio-oil. Energy Fuels, 2020, 34 (7), 7863-7914.
Lam, C. H.*; Jackson, J. E. “Teaching Electrochemistry with Common Objects: Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Acetol with U.S. Coins” J. Chem. Educ., 2019, 97 (1), 172-177.
Lam, C. H.; Escande, V.; Mellor, K.; Zimmerman, J. B.; Anastas, P. T.* “Teaching Atom Economy and E-Factor Concepts through a Green Laboratory Experiment: Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of Meso-Hydrobenzoin to Benzaldehyde using a Heterogeneous Catalyst” J. Chem. Educ., 2019,?96 (4), 761-765.
Erythropel, H. C.; Zimmerman, J. B.; de Winter, T. M.; Petitjean, L.; Melnikov, F.;?Lam, C. H.; Lounsbury, A. W.; Mellor, K. E.; Jankovi?, N. Z.; Tu, Q.; Pincus, L. N.; Falinski, M. M.; Shi, W.; Coish, P.; Plata, D. L.; Anastas, P. T. “The Green ChemisTREE: 20 Years After Taking Root with the 12 Principles” Green Chem., 2018, 20, 1929-1961. (Featured on Front Cover)
Lam, C. H.; Bloomfield A. J.; Anastas, P. T. “Switchable Production of Valuable Feedstocks from Glycerol via Electrocatalytic Oxidation with Earth Abundant Metal Water Oxidation Catalyst” Green Chem., 2017, 19, 1958-1968.
Escande, V. E.*;?Lam, C. H.*;?Coish, P.; Anastas, P. T. “Heterogeneous Sodium-Manganese Oxide Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of 1,2-diols” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 9561 – 9565. (*Contributed Equally) (Featured as Hot Paper)
Lam, C. H.; Das, S.; Erickson, N.; Hyzer, C.; Garedew, M.; Anderson, J. E.; Wallington, T. J.; Tamor, M. A.; Jackson, J. E.; Saffron, C. M. “Towards Sustainable Hydrocarbon Fuels with Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil and Electrocatalytic Upgrading” Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2017, 1, 258-266. (Featured on Front Cover)
Escande, V. E.;?Lam, C. H.; Claude, G.; Anastas, P. T. “EcoMnOx, a Biosourced Catalyst for Selective Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of Activated 1,2-Diols” ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 2017, 5 (4), 3214-3222.
Gillet, S.; Petitjean, L.; Aguedo, M.;?Lam, C. H.; Blecker, C.; Anastas, P. “Impact of Lignin Structure on Oil Production via Hydroprocessing with a Copper-Doped Porous Metal Oxide Catalyst” Bioresour. Technol., 2016, 233, 216-226.
Lam, C. H.; Lowe, C.; Li, Z.; Longe, K.; Rayburn, J.; Caldwell, M.; Houdek, C.; Maguire J.; Saffron, C. M.; Miller, D. J.; Jackson, J. E. “Electrocatalytic Upgrading of Model Lignin Monomers with Earth Abundant Metal Electrodes” Green Chem., 2015, 17, 601-609.
Li, Z.; Garedew, M.;?Lam, C. H.; Luczek, K.; Jackson, J. E.; Miller, D. J.; Saffron, C. M. “Mild Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation and Hydrodeoxygenation of Bio-oil Derived Phenolic Compounds Using Ruthenium Supported on Activated Carbon Cloth” Green Chem., 2012, 14, 2540-2549.
Li, Z.; Kelkar, S.;?Lam, C. H.; Luczek, K.; Jackson, J. E.; Miller, D. J.; Saffron, C. M. “Aqueous Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Furfural Using a Sacrificial Anode” Electrochim. Acta 2012, 64, 87-93.
Patents – Jackson, J. E.;?Lam, C. H.; Saffron, C. M.; Miller, D. J. “Electrolyzer Reactor and Related Methods” 2016 (Publication no.: US-2)
Patents – Jackson, J. E.;?Lam, C. H.; Saffron, C. M.; Miller, D. J. “Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation and Hydrodeoxygenation of Oxygenated and Unsaturated Organic Compounds” 2014 (Publication no.: US-2)
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Contact Information
Office:YEUNG-B5422
Phone:3442-7451
Email:jason.lam@cityu.edu.hk
ORCID:External Link
Google Scholar:External Link
Time slots for consultation
