NTU Singapore appoints leading scientist in energy and sustainability as Vice President of Research

Globally recognised research leader Professor Yang Shao-Horn has been appointed by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) as its new Vice President (Research). She begins in January 2027, after concluding her current faculty appointment at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Prof Shao-Horn will also be appointed Distinguished University Professor, the highest faculty rank at NTU, which is bestowed on faculty members with extraordinary scholarly achievements that often span multiple disciplines.

As Vice President (Research), Prof Shao-Horn will be responsible for driving NTU Singapore’s research agenda and shaping the University’s strategic research directions.

NTU President Prof Ho Teck Hua said: “Prof Shao-Horn is an outstanding and internationally respected scientific leader, with decades of experience in interdisciplinary research and academia-industry collaboration at MIT. She is no stranger to Singapore and has worked in the country through the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART). I look forward to welcoming Prof Shao-Horn to NTU and working with her to advance NTU’s research excellence, partnerships and global reputation, in line with the University’s NTU 2030 strategic plan.”

On why she decided to join NTU, Prof Shao-Horn said: “I am deeply honoured and excited to join NTU and to have the opportunity to serve its research community. I am grateful to MIT, which has been my academic home for over 24 years, and to the many students, colleagues and collaborators who have shaped my journey as a researcher, educator and leader.

“NTU has built a remarkable foundation of research excellence, innovation and global partnerships,” she said. “I look forward to working with the NTU community to support faculty, students and researchers in pursuing ambitious ideas, fostering collaboration across disciplines and translating research into meaningful impact. It is a privilege to contribute to NTU’s next chapter and to help further advance its distinctive research strengths, global impact and leadership.”

Prof Shao-Horn has longstanding ties with Singapore through research collaborations, including with SMART. Several former members of her research group have also gone on to join NTU and National University of Singapore (NUS) as faculty members.

“Over the years, I have developed strong collaborations with Singapore’s research community and a deep appreciation for its commitment to research and innovation, collaborative spirit and global ambition,” she said.

Prof Shao-Horn is presently the JR East Professor of Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, with joint appointments in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemistry. Her work has brought together fundamental science spanning physics, chemistry and materials science with engineering and emerging computational approaches to address challenges in energy, climate and sustainability.

Her research has advanced understanding of interfacial processes at the molecular and atomic levels, with applications in energy storage and the sustainable production of fuels, chemicals and fertilisers. More recently, Prof Shao-Horn and her colleagues have developed new research paradigms that combine automated experimentation with machine learning and artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of molecules and materials.

Beyond her own research, Prof Shao-Horn has led multidisciplinary teams supported by government agencies and industry and strategic partners, bringing together researchers across disciplines and institutions to advance fundamental and applied science.

Collaboration, mentorship and developing talent have also been central to her work. Prof Shao-Horn has mentored approximately 150 students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to careers in academia and industry, including around 50 in academic positions worldwide. She also co-founded start-ups and worked with industry and strategic partners to translate research discoveries into technologies and practice.

Prof Shao-Horn has received broad recognition for her contributions to science and innovation. She is an elected member of the US National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors, and has been named a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate. She will also serve as an Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Chemical Society beginning in 2027.