Hong Ann Gan’s PhD supervisor Dr Noreen Morris is pictured with Nobel laureate Professor Frances Arnold at the 9th EuChemS Congress in Dublin recently.

TUS PhD student shares stage with Nobel laureates at major chemistry conference

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Hong Ann Gan, a PhD student at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Athlone Campus, presented his research at the 9th EuChemS Congress in Dublin recently, sharing a stage with Nobel laureates Frances Arnold and David W.C. MacMillian.

This prestigious conference, held from July 7 to 11 at the Convention Centre, Dublin, is one of Europe’s largest and most influential gatherings for the chemistry community.

Hong Ann Gan, TUS Athlone PhD student, is pictured and his two supervisors Dr Sean Reidy and Dr Noreen Morris at his poster at the 9th EuChemS Congress.

Hong delivered his presentation on Laccase enzymes in biocatalysis in the main auditorium, immediately preceding Professor Frances Arnold’s keynote address.

Professor Arnold, based at Caltech, won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her pioneering work in enzyme evolution; Professor MacMillan, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2021 and is based at Princeton University, was also in attendance to deliver a plenary lecture.

Organised by the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) and hosted by the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland (ICI), the EuChemS Congress featured an extensive scientific programme with plenary sessions, invited talks, and poster presentations.

The event attracted over 2,000 delegates from across Europe and the United States, providing a crucial platform for sharing the latest advancements in chemistry and fostering international collaborations.

Hong’s PhD research, supported by TUS’s President’s Seed Fund and co-sponsored by Athlone-based Arran Chemical Company – a member of the Almac Group, focuses on developing greener and more efficient methods for chemical production.

“I am honoured to have presented my research on Laccase enzymes at the EuChemS 24 conference, one of Europe’s premier chemistry events. It was incredibly gratifying to see groundbreaking research from chemists worldwide, using enzymes and other innovative methods to advance scientific knowledge,” he said.

Hong’s PhD research, supervised by Dr Noreen Morris and Dr Sean Reidy at TUS’s Athlone campus, highlights the strong collaboration between academia and industry.

He is currently involved in a project with ALMAC in Northern Ireland, where he will begin a full-time role in October.

Dr Reidy and Dr Morris commended Hong’s achievement, noting, “Hong’s presentation at such a prestigious conference reflects his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge. It was a proud moment for us to see him contribute to the global chemistry dialogue. TUS’s presence at the conference underscores the university’s growing prominence in the global chemistry community.”

The conference also showcased local culture, with a performance by an Irish group featuring Athlone native Niamh Brett on button accordion, adding a unique Irish touch to the international event.

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