Dr Leonard CHIA

(C4T) Programme Director of the CREATE Thematic Programme in Decarbonisation

Dr Leonard Chia is the Programme Director of the CREATE Thematic Programme in Decarbonisation, overseeing R&D projects focusing on carbon conversion and utilisation, using carbon dioxide and non fossil fuel-based feedstocks such as biomass to produce key commodity chemicals such as biofuels and speciality chemicals. The programme will also contribute towards building Singapore’s capacity in hydrogen utilisation, developing new insights on the combustion behaviours of zero-carbon fuel blends, and building ammonia-ready fuel cells for power generation. The projects will tap into innovative technologies in AI for materials discovery, autonomous laboratory, and novel flow chemistry setups and will include leading investigators from CREATE partners (University of Cambridge, University of California-Berkeley, Imperial College London, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Shanghai Jiao Tong University), NUS, NTU, as well as top international experts from Max Planck Institute and Tohoku University.

Previously, Dr Chia led the Climate Change and Sustainability Science and Technology Office. The team was embedded at the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) under the Strategy Group of the Prime Minister’s Office from the Public Sector Science and Technology Policy and Plans Office (S&TPPO). The team looked at the use of science and technology to advance the climate change and sustainability agenda, supporting whole-of-government climate change objectives. Dr Chia was also part of the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), a research institute under the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR). There, he held several positions, including overseeing planning and programmes in ISCE2’s Strategy team, helping to secure $25M in funding to setup and run the Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS), and as a scientist and research engineer in the Crystallisation and Formulation Science Department.

Dr Chia received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge and his Master in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London. His research focus areas were in the oral and pulmonary delivery of active ingredients.

Dr Leonard Chia became a member of the C4T Scientific Advisory Committee in October 2023.

Scientific Advisors