We spotlight Dr. Kong Xin Ying, the only Malaysian honoured with the 2024 MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 (TR35) Asia Pacific Award. Dr. Kong’s groundbreaking work in sustainable energy and environmental remediation has turned heads globally, as she pioneers methods to upcycle plastic waste into valuable chemicals and fuels within a single day.

We explore how her research, which combines cutting-edge catalysts and photocatalytic upcycling techniques, is addressing plastic pollution and advancing sustainable energy solutions. Dr. Kong also shares insights into her journey as a scientist, her recent recognition as one of the World’s Top 2% Scientists, and her upcoming collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.