Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sicong Ma | Theoretical and Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Sicong Ma, born in March 1992, began his academic journey with a strong foundation in applied chemistry at the China University of Petroleum (Beijing), where he completed his Bachelor of Science in 2013. He continued at the same institution for a Master's degree in Chemistry, working under the guidance of Professor Zhen Zhao until 2016. His academic path led him to Fudan University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 2019 under Professor Zhi-Pan Liu. Here, he developed his expertise in theoretical and computational chemistry, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to catalysis and machine learning.

🏢 Professional Endeavors

After completing his Ph.D., He joined Fudan University as a postdoctoral researcher, continuing his work with Professor Zhi-Pan Liu until 2021. In August 2021, he joined the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry as an Assistant Researcher. Recently promoted to Associate Professor, He has led several projects funded by prestigious institutions, including the National Natural Science Excellent Youth Fund, Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and the China Postdoctoral Fund.

🔍 Contributions and Research Focus

His research interests span a unique blend of machine learning and catalysis. His expertise extends across both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, with a particular focus on: Machine Learning and Heterogeneous Catalysis: He has conducted research on syngas-to-olefins conversions on OX-ZEO catalysts, propane hydrogenation, and similar transformations, Machine Learning and Homogeneous Catalysis: His work includes studies on the carbonylation of olefins and the development of a metal-phosphine ligand catalyst database, Zeolite Chemistry: He is also active in studying the mechanisms of zeolite formation and their applications in catalysis, contributing significantly to zeolite-related database construction.

📈 Impact and Influence

He has made substantial contributions to the field, publishing more than 20 papers in renowned journals such as Nature Catalysis, Nature Communications, and ACS Catalysis. Notably, he has served as first or corresponding author on 15 of these publications, solidifying his role as a leader in his field. His work has garnered attention and citations, reflecting his influence within theoretical and computational chemistry.

📚 Academic Achievements and Honors

Recognized for his academic excellence, He has received numerous awards and honors. He was honored with the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award from Fudan University in 2019, recognized as an Academic Star of Fudan University the same year, and awarded a Shanghai Super Postdoctoral Fellowship. Recently, he was inducted as a member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2023.

🛠️ Technical Skills

His technical expertise includes advanced machine learning algorithms for catalysis, computational modeling in chemistry, and extensive knowledge of catalysis mechanisms in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. His computational skills and programming knowledge enable him to create and manage large databases, crucial for his projects on zeolite and catalyst-related data.

📖 Teaching and Mentoring Experience

While focused primarily on research, He has also contributed to the academic community by mentoring postdocs and junior researchers in his lab. His guidance fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring that emerging researchers develop the skills necessary to advance in computational chemistry and catalysis.

🌐 Legacy and Future Contributions

His ongoing work promises to deepen the integration of machine learning in catalysis, with potential implications for sustainable energy solutions and efficient industrial chemical processes. As a young innovator and leader in his field, he is set to make lasting contributions, furthering both academic knowledge and practical applications in computational chemistry.

📖Notable Publications

 

Sicong Ma | Theoretical and Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award