Shirley Meng grew up in China and earned her degrees in Singapore, but the United States is where she built her career trying to make better and cheaper batteries for a power-hungry world. After 2 decades here, the University of Chicago (UChicago) materials scientist, who also heads a Department of Energy (DOE) research hub, is now heading back to Asia.

On 1 July, 2026, Meng will become vice president for innovation and global affairs at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Meng took the job because she thinks the U.S. has turned away from a commitment to decarbonize its economy. She’s leaving with mixed emotions—and the hope that the political environment for more sustainable energy sources will improve once President Donald Trump leaves office.

Source https://www.science.org/content/article/pushed-trump-policies-top-u-s-battery-scientist-moving-singapore

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