To. Prof Ngai

Professor NGAI To is currently a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Assistant Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). Professor Ngai earned his B.Sc. degree with First Class Honours and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from CUHK in 1999 and 2003, respectively. He subsequently undertook postdoctoral research at BASF in Germany and at the University of Minnesota in the United States, before returning to CUHK as a Research Assistant Professor in 2006. His research interests span various domains of surface and colloid science, as well as polymer chemistry.

Professor Ngai is the Director and Chief Scientific Advisor of O-Spheres Limited, a start-up he founded in 2022 with support from the Innovation and Technology Commission’s “Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)”. The company aims to commercialise technologies developed at CUHK, offering bespoke eco-solutions to address global environmental challenges through sustainability-driven innovation in materials science. O-Spheres was admitted to the HKSTP Incubation Programme in 2022 to accelerate product development and market entry.

In 2024, Professor Ngai founded BactOPack Limited, a pioneering venture dedicated to unlocking the potential of next-generation bio-based eco-materials for use in packaging and vegan leather. Through cutting-edge eco-technological research, BactOPack is redefining sustainable packaging with scalable, low-carbon materials designed to meet the demands of a greener future.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025

1. Empower Sustainable Lifestyles: Promote widespread access to eco-friendly products in Hong Kong, helping individuals and communities make informed, sustainable choices.
2. Turn Research into Impact: Foster stronger partnerships between academia and industry to transform local innovation into viable solutions that boost the green economy.