Anderson Chu

Anderson SH Chu (HK) serves as a Principal Investigator (PI) at Columbia University. He got approved several grants and leads funded projects as the PI at Columbia University, centering on the physio-chemical-mechanical design, scaling-up production, functional design and practical applications of sustainable materials and resilient structures.

Chu earned his Ph.D. degree in Structural Engineering from The University of Hong Kong (HK), and received training from the University of Cambridge (UK) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) before joining Columbia University. According to Stanford University, he has been ranked into world’s top 2% scientists (world’s top 0.2% in Civil Engineering in 2022) since 2021. With a H-index of 28 and Scopus citation of 2000 (as of 2023), his original research findings have been disseminated in renowned journals, such as ACI Mater. J., Cem. Concr. Res., Cem. Concr. Compos., Eng. Struct., Compos. Struct., Addit. Manufact., Constr. Build. Mater., and Desalination.

Chu’s research interests in cement and concrete science revolve around: low carbon materials, resilient structures and functional design. He focuses on recovering low carbon cement from oceanic and waste resources, using it for carbon capture, utilization and storage, and ultimately data-driven design of functional composite materials. Based on physio-chemical-mechanical approaches, he engages in the development of bio-inspired concrete and infilled cementitious composites, in the realm of fiber reinforced concrete clusters, and incorporating functions such as microbial self-healing and underwater 3D printability. He employs an interdisciplinary combination of experimental and analytical techniques to facilitate interaction and knowledge transfer between academia and industry, with an eye on both basic and applied research. He has been involved in several practical projects and holds intellectual property rights for core technologies, all of which align with specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Chu’s commitment to advancing science is coupled by his active community services. He serves an editor for several journals, including an academic editor for Advances in Civil Engineering, and a research topic editor in Frontiers in Materials. He is a dedicated reviewer for a number of esteemed journals and delivered hundreds of high quality reviews. Regarding teaching, he has been a lead teaching assistant for Mechanics and Materials course, and a co-instructor for civil engineering courses. More importantly, he mentored over 60 undergraduate students, master students and Ph.D. students (co-mentored) across the US, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong, many of whom are playing critical roles in universities, government, and the industries worldwide. Over the past decade, he established robust and extensive domestic and international collaborations with some of the most excellent researchers within the field and across different disciplines, including geotechnical engineering, material science, and environmental science. He is an Associate Member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and a member of American Concrete Institute (ACI) with an involvement in Committees 239 and 544.

Beyond research, Chu participates in university governance and community leadership. He serves as the President (main campus) of Columbia University CUPS, where he chairs Advocacy since 2022. He has been appointed as a Columbia University Senate Member from 2023 onwards. Prior to it, he was elected as the President (Deputy) of the university-wide student association at The University of Hong Kong for a row of two years.

More information: Google Scholar, Columbia hub, Website