Postdoctoral Researcher at University Sains Malaysia
Aaron Zhen Yao Koe is a passionate and driven Chemical Engineer specializing in wastewater treatment, nutrient recovery, and catalytic degradation processes. With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Aaron has developed extensive expertise in membrane separation technologies, adsorption science, and sonocatalysis. His academic and professional journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and precision in engineering design. Proficient in MATLAB and skilled in Excel and data modeling tools, Aaron is also trilingual in English, Malay, and Mandarin, which enables him to work effectively in diverse, interdisciplinary teams. His dedication to cutting-edge research has culminated in the publication of two high-impact Q1 journal articles and a book chapter with Elsevier. With experience both in academia and industry, including roles as a process engineer and R&D lab technician, Aaron brings a versatile and application-oriented mindset to any project. His strength lies not only in technical execution but also in clear scientific communication and collaborative problem-solving. With a keen interest in resource-efficient engineering and a strong academic foundation, Aaron is poised to contribute significantly to sustainable technologies and future-focused innovations in chemical and environmental engineering.
Professional Profile
Education
Aaron Zhen Yao Koe’s educational background is rooted in excellence and innovation. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) between 2020 and 2024, graduating with a stellar CGPA of 3.8736. His doctoral research focused on sonocatalytic degradation using sustainable composite materials, highlighting his commitment to environmental remediation and resource recovery. Prior to this, he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) from 2015 to 2019. This undergraduate foundation laid the groundwork for his strong competencies in transport phenomena, process design, and environmental engineering. Through his academic tenure, Aaron not only mastered technical subjects but also engaged in research that yielded significant findings, particularly in the application of zeolite-assisted forward osmosis for aquaculture effluent treatment. He has actively contributed to scientific literature with multiple peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter. His academic performance and research productivity demonstrate both analytical rigor and practical ingenuity. Aaron’s education has provided him with the theoretical knowledge, laboratory expertise, and research acumen to solve real-world challenges, and he continues to build on this strong foundation as an emerging thought leader in chemical and environmental engineering.
Professional Experience
Aaron’s professional experience bridges both industrial engineering and academic research. He began his industry journey as a Process Engineer at IBIDEN Electronics Malaysia (2019–2020), where he was tasked with surface defect analysis in the surface department. Utilizing advanced tools such as cross-sectional microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), he systematically diagnosed production issues, performed root cause analysis, and prepared detailed technical reports for corrective actions. His ability to trace defects across complex processing lines illustrated his analytical depth and meticulous nature. Earlier in his career, he worked as an R&D Lab Technician during an internship at Ambu Sdn. Bhd. in 2017. There, he tested medical devices—mainly bronchoscopes—using instruments like Instron and Quickscope, ensuring compliance with high-quality standards. He also performed packaging and software evaluations, gaining exposure to the R&D lifecycle and quality control protocols. These hands-on roles not only enhanced his problem-solving and documentation skills but also reinforced his capability to adapt to diverse engineering environments. Aaron’s industrial background, combined with his research proficiency, equips him with a holistic understanding of the engineering pipeline—from ideation to implementation and continuous improvement.
Research Interest
Aaron Koe’s research interests are centered on the sustainable treatment of wastewater and resource recovery through advanced chemical engineering techniques. His core areas include nutrient recovery from aquaculture effluent, membrane-based separation processes, sonocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, and adsorption using bio-derived materials. Aaron’s Ph.D. work on synthesizing graphitic carbon nitride/coconut-shell-derived carbon composites reflects his deep commitment to eco-friendly technologies and waste valorization. He is particularly intrigued by the intersection of nanomaterials and environmental engineering, focusing on the catalytic and sorptive properties of hybrid composites in real-world applications. His earlier project, which employed zeolite-assisted forward osmosis for ammonium and phosphate recovery, demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to circular water management. Aaron is motivated by the urgent global need for water sustainability and cleaner industrial processes. He envisions contributing to innovations that transform waste streams into valuable products, such as fertilizers and reusable water. With growing challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity, his interest lies in translating laboratory-scale findings into scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally viable solutions. Aaron’s research aspirations are further fueled by interdisciplinary collaboration, computational modeling, and the practical integration of engineering design and material science.
Research Skills
Aaron Zhen Yao Koe possesses a robust suite of research skills that span experimental, computational, and analytical domains. His technical proficiency includes MATLAB for transport modeling, Excel for advanced data analysis, and Design Expert software for statistical optimization via Central Composite Design. He has demonstrated strong experimental skills in membrane technology, adsorption studies, and catalytic degradation. In his Ph.D. research, Aaron successfully synthesized composite catalysts from coconut shell husks and tested their performance in sonocatalytic dye degradation, reflecting his competence in materials engineering and environmental chemistry. He has also performed critical parameter optimization, kinetic studies, and mechanistic evaluations. During his aquaculture effluent project, Aaron designed a zeolite-assisted forward osmosis system, conducted ammonium sorption experiments, and successfully regenerated zeolites under complex ion interference, indicating a high level of lab precision and scientific reasoning. His ability to conduct thorough literature reviews, design experiments, interpret results, and prepare high-quality scientific publications further demonstrates his advanced research capabilities. Aaron is also well-versed in scientific communication, with experience in writing journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports. These skills collectively position him as a multidisciplinary researcher capable of leading impactful, sustainability-oriented projects.
Awards and Honors
Aaron Zhen Yao Koe has received recognition for his outstanding research contributions, especially in the field of chemical engineering and environmental sustainability. His scholarly excellence is evident in his successful publication of two research papers in Q1-ranked journals—Journal of Water Process Engineering and Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering—which are well-regarded in the academic community for their focus on practical and high-impact environmental technologies. Furthermore, he contributed a book chapter to the prestigious Elsevier-published volume Integrated and Hybrid Process Technology for Water and Wastewater Treatment, marking a significant achievement early in his research career. His Ph.D. CGPA of 3.8736 from Universiti Sains Malaysia stands as a testament to his academic rigor and intellectual commitment. In addition to formal recognitions, Aaron’s research work has been supported and mentored by leading experts such as Prof. Dr. Ooi Boon Seng and Dr. Chang Ying Shi, indicating the trust and respect he has earned from senior researchers. His innovative thinking, precision, and interdisciplinary approach have also earned him praise during industrial stints, highlighting his adaptability and professionalism in various engineering settings. These honors reinforce Aaron’s trajectory as a promising and impactful chemical engineer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Aaron Zhen Yao Koe exemplifies the qualities of a next-generation chemical engineer—analytical, innovative, and environmentally conscious. With a strong academic background culminating in a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Aaron has developed advanced expertise in wastewater treatment, resource recovery, and catalytic materials. His dual exposure to academic research and industrial applications gives him a balanced, pragmatic perspective, allowing him to tackle real-world challenges with scientific rigor and technical acumen. Aaron’s portfolio of high-impact publications, experimental accomplishments, and collaborative projects highlights his capacity to contribute meaningfully to global sustainability goals. Beyond his technical skill set, Aaron brings strong communication abilities, multilingual proficiency, and a collaborative spirit to any team or project. His adaptability and continuous learning mindset enable him to thrive in dynamic research and engineering environments. As he continues his professional journey, Aaron remains committed to innovation, sustainability, and transformative research. With the right platforms and opportunities, he is poised to become a leader in green engineering and a valuable contributor to both academic and industrial advancement in environmental technology.
Publications Top Notes
Title:
Ammonium sorption and regeneration using Mg‑modified zeolites: A study on the interferences of competing ions from aquaculture effluent
Authors: Aaron Koe Zhen Yao, Lim Wei Jiun, Loh Chian Yong, Chang Ying Shi, and Ooi Boon Seng.
Year: 2022
Citation Count: 8