Rob Nuguid - KR

What made you decide to apply for a grant at the Leading House Asia?
My supervisor, Dr. Davide Ferri, had previously written a research proposal with Prof. Tae Joo Park from Hanyang University. The aim of their cooperation is to synthesize perovskite-type catalytic materials by atomic layer deposition in South Korea that will then be characterized extensively by time-resolved spectroscopy in Switzerland. While the proposal was eventually not accepted, they stayed in contact for potential research partnership in the future. In 2019, there was call for the Korean-Swiss Young Researchers' Exchange Program, which we saw as another opportunity to rejuvenate the collaboration between our research groups.

How did you secure a host professor?
The selection of a host laboratory could not have been more straightforward due to the previous contact of my home and host supervisors. Both of them responded favorably when I informed them of my intent of applying to the Korean-Swiss Young Researchers' Exchange Program.

How would you describe your experience of the programme?
My stay at Hanyang University lasted for only three months, which was further shortened by the mandatory two-week quarantine upon my arrival in South Korea. Nonetheless, I managed to accomplish most of what I have written in the original proposal, which was to synthesize vanadia-based catalytic materials for the abatement of nitrogen oxides. Aside from performing atomic layer deposition experiments, I also managed to characterize my samples preliminarily through transmission electron microscopy and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.

What were the impacts you made through the project/partners/individual?
Through the grant, our research group in Switzerland has established a strong cooperation with Prof. Park’s group in South Korea. Furthermore, it also enabled us to network with other groups in the country who work on the same field as us.

Testimonial: what were your personal experiences/thoughts on the bilateral cooperation experience?
The research culture in South Korea could not have been more different from the one that I have become accustomed to. However, the support of my Korean lab mates enabled me to adapt in no time. My research exchange also turned out to be as cultural as it is scientific. Through exploring the country’s well-preserved heritage sites and talking with locals, I developed a deep understanding of Korean history and culture.