Dr. Ashraful Azam is a lecturer in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at UNSW Sydney. He earned his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from UNSW in 2023. Dr. Azam’s research focuses on the development of advanced functional nanomaterials—particularly 2D materials and quantum dots—to drive innovation in renewable energy technologies. His interdisciplinary work spans the discovery of emerging nanomaterials and the creation of cutting-edge solutions for a wide range of energy and optoelectronic applications, including solar cells, hydrogen fuel generation, batteries, smart windows, LEDs, and photodetectors.

He has built an impressive academic track record, publishing in leading journals, including Advanced Materials, Progress in Materials Science, ACS Nano, Nano Letters, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, and Journal of Materials Chemistry A. Dr. Azam also holds four patents (AU, WO, KR) and has secured four research grants from both industry and academic institutions. His strong engagement with industry is highlighted by a $1 million industry-linked project with a major global solar company to commercialize quantum-dot-enhanced solar cells. His work was also recognized with the UNSW Innovation and Engagement Award and highlighted as one of UNSW’s top climate change innovations at the UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil.

Dr. Azam brings broad experience from roles in both academia and industry. He has worked as a research scientist at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science Technology (KAIST), served as a project member of Australia’s National Graduate Innovation Forum, and federal council member of the Australian Ceramic Society. He has also collaborated extensively with industrial partners and research organizations, including JA Solar, BlueScope, BSRM, BITAC, LG Chem, the KAIST Institute, and ANSTO.