Keywords
Fields of Research (FoR)
Astrobiology, Soft Condensed Matter, Optical PhysicsBiography
I am from Sydney and spent almost a decade overseas in Massachusetts, USA. I have a background in physics and biochemistry, and enjoy working in the interdisciplinary fields of astrobiology, biophysics, and soft matter.
Experience and background
- BSc (Adv H1M), The University of Sydney (2009)
- SM in Applied Physics, Harvard University (2013)
- PhD in Applied Physics, Harvard University (2016)
- NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow in Astrobiology...view more
I am from Sydney and spent almost a decade overseas in Massachusetts, USA. I have a background in physics and biochemistry, and enjoy working in the interdisciplinary fields of astrobiology, biophysics, and soft matter.
Experience and background
- BSc (Adv H1M), The University of Sydney (2009)
- SM in Applied Physics, Harvard University (2013)
- PhD in Applied Physics, Harvard University (2016)
- NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow in Astrobiology at Massachusetts General Hospital (2016-2018)
For details on our lab's research, please see the lab website here: annawanglab.com and send me an email!
My Grants
- 2020-2023: Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) collaborative Research Grant
- 2021-2023: Australian Research Council's Discovery Early Career Research Award
- 2023-2027: Alfred P Sloan Foundation ("Matter to Life") and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation grants
My Qualifications
- BSc(Adv H1M) - The University of Sydney (2009)
- SM in Applied Physics - Harvard University (2013)
- PhD in Applied Physics - Harvard University (2016)
My Research Activities
Our lab works at the intersection of physics, chemistry, materials science, to answer questions about soft matter. Soft matter is everything that deforms easily - cell membranes, cream, gels - because internally, the components are held together by weak bonds (on the order of kT).
Studying soft matter can not only give us insight into the science of the everyday, from personal care products in the bathroom to the microfoams in our cappucinos, but can also shed light on basic science like the principles behind self-assembly and how cell-based life started on Earth.
For further details please see our lab website:
Research interests:
- Self-assembly
- Holographic microscopy
- Lipid bilayer membranes
- Biophysics
- Optics
- Soft matter
- Origins of life
- Holography
- Microscopy
- Astrobiology
My Research Supervision
Supervision keywords
Currently supervising
I currently supervise HDR and Honours students, for details please see the lab website.
My Engagement
Selected public engagement:
- 2023: Vox Unexplainable episode on "Origins: The First Living Thing"
- 2021: PBS Nova episode "Beyond the Elements: Life" Australia-accessible excerpt available here
- 2020: ABC Catalyst episode "Asteroid Hunters"
- 2020: UChicago Origins of Life Speaker series speaker
- 2018: MIT IAP Origin of Life seminar
- 2006: ABC "Battle of the Brains"
My Teaching
I really enjoy relating material in the classroom to our experience of the natural world, and our experience of the every day. Science and chemistry are everywhere, and everyone can enjoy complex problem solving whether it be in the lab or in the board room.
I teach into CHEM2921 (Food Chemistry), CHEM3061 (Chemistry of Materials), and CDEV3000 (Practice of Work).
Location
UNSW Sydney
NSW 2052
Map reference (Google map)
Publications
ORCID as entered in ROS
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2148-1996