Spotlight: Shujie Zhou

Dr Shujie Zhou is a Centre postdoctoral research associate in School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW. Her research focuses on solar energy conversion and green chemical production, including photoelectrocatalysis and electrocatalysis.

Tell us something about yourself that you think few, if any, people know.

I’m a pet person. I have two cats, Jelly and Itta, who bring a lot of joy and calm into my life. No matter how challenging or busy my day has been, they remind me to slow down, stay present, and appreciate the little moments of comfort at home. I also love dogs and plan to keep one in the future, as I believe pets bring warmth, companionship, and a sense of grounding.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

When I was little, I wanted to be a scientist, even though I didn’t fully understand what that meant at the time. As I grew older, I developed a strong interest in sustainable energy research, particularly in creating advanced technologies and building collaborations between academia and industry. My long-term aspiration is to translate solar-driven chemical production into valued solutions, such as decentralised fertiliser and sustainable fuel production, to make clean energy more accessible and practical for society.

What is your elevator pitch, or what do you tell people when they ask, what do you do?

I turn sunlight into fuels and chemicals. In practice, I design catalysts and systems that use solar energy to produce green hydrogen, ammonia, and other valuable chemicals. My work spans from understanding catalyst structure–performance relationships to integrating systems that enable decentralised solar-driven chemical production.

What do you consider your key challenges?

Professionally, bridging the gap between lab-scale breakthroughs and large-scale practical applications is a key challenge. It requires not only technical innovation but strong engineering expertise.

On a personal level, being a female researcher in STEM means I have to balance multiple roles and expectations, such as excelling in research while also fulfilling personal and family responsibilities. It can be challenging, but I have come to view balance not as perfection, but as an ongoing practice of prioritising what truly matters most. At the moment, that means enjoying the excitement of research advances, supervising students and witnessing their growth, and continuing to learn and grow myself.

I have also come to accept that I cannot manage everything perfectly, and rather than chasing perfection, I choose to embrace the experiences and enjoy the journey.

What gets you out of bed in the morning (ie what motivates you in life)?

There is excitement in the discovery of a new catalyst behaviour or hidden reaction pathway. I believe my research can make a meaningful contribution to the field of sustainable energy. A more important motivation is my mentoring of students and seeing them grow in their research journey.

Favourite thing(s) to do on the weekend?

On weekends, I enjoy spending time with my cats. Recently, I started fishing, which I find is a meaningful way to connect with the sea. For me, fishing is a lot like doing research: you need background knowledge, such as understanding the weather and tides, but there’s also an element of patience and luck.

Cultural insights and what they mean to you?

Coming from a Chinese background, broader cultural values of perseverance, respect, and collective achievement, continue to guide how I see myself and my work. Since moving to Australia, I have also embraced the openness and diversity here, which has taught me the importance of collaboration and different perspectives. Together, these cultural influences give me both resilience and adaptability, qualities that support not only my personal growth but also my professional career.

Shujie was one of 10 finalists in the Women of Colour in STEM Rising Star Award 2025. She received her award at the Women of Colour in STEM award ceremony on 6 October.