Jiwei Lu is a doctoral researcher (DC8) at KU Leuven in Belgium. His research focuses on developing nanozymes, enzyme-like nanoparticles designed to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and their transformation products from environmental waters. By integrating artificial intelligence into the design and optimization process, his work aims to accelerate the development of more efficient and targeted materials for sustainable water treatment technologies.He previously earned his Master’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Technology Vienna, where he specialized in biotechnology and anaerobic fermentation of extremophiles. During this time, he built a strong interdisciplinary foundation that bridges microbiology, chemical engineering, and environmental science.

Outside academia, Jiwei worked in the pharmaceutical industry and consulting, gaining hands-on experience in data analysis, project coordination, and strategic problem-solving. These roles sharpened his ability to navigate complex systems and communicate technical insights to diverse stakeholders.

He is also active in education advocacy, having volunteered with Project Access to support students from underrepresented backgrounds in applying to top universities. Through this work, he developed skills in mentoring, intercultural collaboration, and outreach—experiences that continue to shape his commitment to equity and impact in science.