Chemistry Ph.D. Candidate Finalist for International Prize
By Ben Panko
Chemistry Ph.D. candidate Tatsuya Higaki was named a finalist for Elsevier's 2019 Reaxys Ph.D. Prize, an honor recognizing innovative research by young chemists.
Higaki, who works in the lab of Professor of Chemistry Rongchao Jin, was one of 45 finalists selected from more than 360 entries worldwide. He was invited to present his poster, "Sharp Transition from Nonmetallic Au246 to Metallic Au279 with Nascent Surface Plasmon Resonance," at a symposium last month in Amsterdam.
“The Ph.D. Prize is a perfect starting point to build relationships and to solve interdisciplinary problems in science and the environment," said Li-Zhu Wu, director of the Supramolecular Photochemistry Lab at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a coordinator of the prize, in a statement.
Higaki's research aims to enhance the functionality of gold nanoparticles, which could have impacts on catalysis, energy conversion, chemical sensing and bio-medicine. Earlier this year he received the Student Award from the International Precious Metals Institute for his work.
As a Reaxys Ph.D. Prize finalist, Higaki also received a lifetime membership in the Reaxys Ph.D. Club, an organization offering networking opportunities, travel grants and discounts on Elsevier conferences and books.