Prof. Dan TSANG Named Fellow of Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining and Program Chair Elect of American Chemical Society’s Division of Geochemistry
Ir Prof. Dan TSANG, Executive Director for Undergraduate Recruitment and Student Development, Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Director of the Research Center on Decarbonization Technology, has been elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM) and Program Chair Elect for the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Geochemistry for the 2026 session.
Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
This prestigious fellowship recognizes Prof. Tsang’s transformative contributions to the materials cycle and sustainability, particularly his pioneering work in biomass waste valorization, critical minerals recovery, and functional low-carbon construction materials. The fellowship also highlights Prof. Tsang’s scientific rigor in materials design and innovation. Renowned for translating mechanistic insights at the nano-to-meso scale in the laboratory into scalable industrial applications in the field, Prof Tsang’s interdisciplinary research spans areas from biochar-cement composites to selective extraction of technology-critical metals, directly addressing global challenges in resource circularity and supply chain resilience.
The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) is a major UK engineering institution that encompasses the whole materials cycle, from exploration and extraction to characterization, processing, and application. The IOM3 Fellowship is the highest grade of professional membership, awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the materials, minerals, and mining sector and established a reputation for professional excellence. Prof. Tsang joins this prestigious community of leaders whose work drives innovation and shapes the future of materials sustainability.
A leader in materials sustainability and decarbonization, Prof. Tsang’s scientific impact is evidenced by over 650 SCI journal publications, more than 86,000 citations, and an h-index of 160. He was ranked among Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists (Lifetime) and recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate. His dedication to advancing cross-disciplinary field is further reflected in his role as the founding editor-in-chief of npj Materials Sustainability (Nature Portfolio), where he steers the global discourse on sustainable materials. In 2025, his research excellence was honored with a Gold Medal at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, underscoring the real-world applicability of his material innovations.
Program Chair Elect for the American Chemical Society’s Division of Geochemistry
This prestigious election places Prof. Tsang at the forefront of one of the world’s most influential scientific communities, marking a significant recognition of his global leadership within the chemical sciences landscape.
The ACS Division of Geochemistry is a global platform for advancing the understanding of Earth’s chemical processes. The role of the Program Chair Elect in the ACS Division of Geochemistry is a position of substantial strategic influence and high academic distinction. The Program Chair holds the critical responsibility of curating technical symposia and selecting keynote speakers for the ACS National Meetings, which are among the largest gatherings of chemical scientists globally. By defining the themes and scope of these high-level discussions, the Program Chair directly shapes the trajectory of the field, determining which emerging frontiers, from biogeochemical cycles to critical mineral sustainability, are prioritized by the global research community. Election to this office represents a profound vote of confidence from peers regarding the incumbent’s scientific vision and ability to steer the discipline toward addressing urgent global challenges.
Prof. Tsang’s research background aligns closely with the division’s evolving focus on bridging fundamental science with engineering solutions. His work extensively explores the molecular-level understanding and interfacial mechanisms that govern surface chemistry and resource transformation. By investigating areas such as dissolution kinetics of critical metals in EVs battery recycling and geochemical interactions of carbon in biochar, he connects geochemistry frontiers with practical decarbonization strategies. With a solid academic track record comprising over 650 SCI journal publications and more than 86,000 citations, Prof. Tsang is well-placed to facilitate high-level academic exchange around the world and support the division’s mission of advancing geochemical knowledge in the coming years.