HQP Highlight Series: Ellie (Wai Tung) Shiu
Welcome to the HQP Highlight Series: a series of interviews designed to highlight the innovative research and diverse experiences of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) across the Carbon to Metal Coating Institute (C2MCI) network.
Today, we welcome Dr. Ellie (Wai Tung) Shiu, a Technical Officer with the National Research Council Canada and former graduate student who worked with Dr. Paul Ragogna and Dr. Lijia Liu on micro-scale research at Western University. Dr. Shiu will be sharing her insights on the exciting science taking place at C2MCI and the approaches, challenges, collaborations, and career journey behind his research.
Please note that this interview originally took place in May 2026, meaning references to current events, roles, and/or project statuses may no longer be accurate. Thank you for your understanding.
Could you introduce yourself and briefly share what you’re currently working on at C2MCI?
My name is Ellie, and I am a graduate student in Dr. Paul Ragogna’s and Dr. Lijia Liu’s research groups. I am working to understand the surface and interfacial interactions of different NHCs on Au, Cu, and Ru substrates using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS).
What first drew you to your field of research?
I am a member of the micro subgroup within the C2MCI. What drew me to this field of research is its application. The micro subgroup focuses on the fabrication of microchips, which are an important component of computers, an object that everyone around me owns. The idea of participating in such impactful research motivated me to pursue this field.
What’s the coolest analytical or synthetic technique you’ve learned recently? Why did it excite you?
The coolest analytical technique I’ve learnt recently is UPS. Not only does the name overlap with a delivery company (which makes me laugh every time), it also excites me that the fundamentals of UPS partially overlap with XPS, and that by changing the incident energy, a different set of information can be extracted to better understand NHC-deposited metal surfaces.
Which of your recent projects with C2MCI are you most proud of, and what made it special?
The most recent project that I am the proudest of is micro project #24, focusing on the reduction of surface CuOx using a new NHC derivative, NHC-H2. This project is special because it is highly collaborative. The NHC-H2 precursor was prepared at Queen’s University, the deposition was conducted at Carleton University, and partial data analysis was done at Western University.
The highly collaborative nature of this project sparked many conversations among the HQP across the three research groups. There were many roadblocks throughout this project, but the HQPs solved them one by one, and we are now preparing a paper. This project could not have been completed without close communication, which significantly bonded the HQPs.
Have you ever worked with people from different disciplines? How did you make the collaboration effective?
Yes, I have worked with people from different disciplines. I tried to make the collaboration more effective by modifying my communication style.
For example, my research focuses heavily on X-ray spectroscopy. When collaborating with people who have no prior experience with spectroscopy, I try to avoid technical terms. I will explain my graphs in detail, including the experiment's goal, what the x-axis and y-axis represent, how I arrived at my conclusion, etc., to ensure the collaborator understands the data and my reasoning. Also, I will ask the collaborator for feedback on whether my explanation was clear. I will write down the comments and aim to improve in future collaborations.
Tell us about a presentation or poster session you gave. What made it successful?
I recently gave a seminar talk for the Dr. Peter Norton Memorial Award in Chemistry. What made the talk successful was its framing. When preparing the slides, I spent a lot of time connecting my NHC work into a story, which made the presentation more engaging.
In addition, I implemented a tip that Dr. Ragonga taught me in my first year of graduate school: to explain the purpose, x-axis, and y-axis of the data I am presenting. These explanations will help the audience outside your field understand what is being shown and why the piece of data is important.
How do you prioritize tasks when juggling multiple projects or deadlines?
I prioritize tasks by their urgency. Every Monday morning, I always sit down and write down a to-do list for the week. I then rank them by deadline and urgency to establish a priority list. When I am in a situation where deadlines cannot be met, I ask for extensions as soon as I become aware and work on weekends to catch up.
Can you share a time when you faced a tricky problem in the lab? How did you approach it?
A problem I encounter regularly is getting a good fit for my XPS data. I approach this problem by taking a small break. Data interpretation requires a high level of attention, and small mistakes can occur when you start to lose focus. In these cases, taking a 30-minute break refreshes your brain and, often, I find myself thinking more clearly and working more efficiently after the break.
Have you ever proposed a new idea or method in your work? How was it received?
I have proposed new ideas and methods to my two supervisors. They were very supportive (as always) and immediately provided comments and resources to help me initiate the idea. I believe that critical thinking and creativity are a big part of research, and I am truly thankful to have two supervisors who fully support my ideas.
Do you have a favourite chemical element or molecule? Why does it stand out to you?
My favourite chemical element is Au, because everyone around me is Au-some and research life is also Au-some!
What’s one thing about your research that consistently makes you smile or surprises you?
One thing about my research that consistently surprises me is how powerful NHCs are! I am always surprised by how many issues NHCs can solve and how changing their structure can introduce them to a brand-new application.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their journey in chemistry?
One piece of advice I would give to someone just starting their journey in chemistry is to volunteer in research groups that interest them during undergraduate studies. Not only does this action increase the chances of getting into graduate school, but you can also learn about the mentor style of the principal investigator (PI) and the group dynamic.
Outside of research, your PI and labmates will feel like your second family, and a good working environment will make graduate school much happier and easier to experience.
