Biography：

 Dr. K. Y. Simon Ng received his BSE, MSE, and PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  He is currently the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, a Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science of Wayne State University (WSU), the founding director of WSU's Graduate Programs in Alternative Energy Technology, Electric-drive Vehicle Engineering, and the director of the WSU/NextEnergy National Biofuels Energy Laboratory.  He is the co-founder of NextCAT, a spin-off company from WSU to accelerate the commercialization of renewable energy technology.   He also served as a Visiting Scientist with General Motors Research Center and as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore.  His research interests include energy storage systems, alternative fuels, environmental and fuel conversion catalysis, polymers, smart sensors, and biomedical devices.  Professor Ng has received over $10M funding from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, 21st Century Job Fund, Michigan Life Science Corridor, NextEnergy, American Chemical Society, Engineering Foundation, Ford, GM, Exxon, among others.  He has published and presented over 350 research papers. Professor Ng has also served as the President of the Michigan Catalysis Society, and received several awards including the Career Development Chair Award, a Gershenson Distinguished Faculty Fellow, and President's Award for Excellence in Teaching from WSU; and a Distinguished Faculty Award from the Michigan Association of Governing Boards of State Universities.  He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan.  Dr. Ng is a member of Council of Energy Research and Education Leaders, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Oil Chemists Society, North American Catalysis Society, and American Society for Testing and Materials.  Recently, he served as a special advisor to the Michigan Renewable Fuel Commission, and received the 2011 Michigan Green Chemistry Governor’s Award in the academic category.