NWO Rubicon grant for Kai Zhong

Dr. Kai Zhong, PhD graduate from the group of Prof. Thomas la Cour Jansen at the University of Groningen, has been awarded a prestigious Rubicon grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). This fellowship will allow him to conduct research for two years at Harvard Medical School in the United States.

The NWO Rubicon programme supports talented, early-career researchers in gaining international experience, helping them to strengthen and accelerate their academic careers.

Research project

Customization of enzyme one-dimensional properties to three-dimensional structure through artificial intelligence Current enzyme engineering faces major challenges in designing efficient and tailor-made biocatalysts. Dr. Zhong’s project combines artificial intelligence with two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy to decode the dynamic 3D structures of proteins. This innovative approach will enable the rapid and precise design of non-natural enzymes, with applications in sustainable manufacturing, carbon capture, and drug development—advancing the field of green chemistry.