Feng Gao
China
PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering
Feng hails from the city of Suzhou in China and has a background in Environmental Engineering. He is currently completing his PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Canterbury.
Feng is really enjoying his research at UC, “Research work, such as exploring the unknown world and inventing new technology, is very attractive to me. The joy from publishing papers, having your own patent, attending international conferences and having the opportunity to travel other countries cannot be simply expressed through words.”
He is currently working on converting waste plastic into diesel and other fuels by pyrolysis. He says of his research, “As land resources and petroleum resources are limited in New Zealand this project has high potential market here. I may commercialize this project after the semi-scale apparatus is running properly.”
“I find there are many research funds from both the NZ government and private companies. Most studies have high potential commercial value. It is a good balance between the academic and the market.”
Feng chose to study abroad as he wanted to learn about the way of life in a different country. He chose New Zealand because he was attracted to its multi-culturalism and to UC because of its world-class Engineering programmes.
He has adapted easily to life in New Zealand and is making the most of the outdoors: “The natural environment is unique - there is nothing else like it in the world. So, it is a wonderful country for outdoor sports. I like tramping, skiing and hunting in the mountains. Sometimes, you can find a natural hot spa by the walking track.”