Excellent Teaching Assistant Award 2023-24

Upon graduating from Sun Yat-sen University with a BSc degree in Chemistry in 2020, Mr Kiro Yueliang YAO joined the research group of Professor Ho Yu AU-YEUNG at HKU, where he is currently pursuing his PhD in supramolecular chemistry and mechanically interlocked molecules. As a LEGO enthusiast, Kiro sees chemical synthesis as a microscopic block-building game, and thus finds his joy and satisfaction in designing and assembling new functional interlocked molecules.

Kiro is not only an accomplished researcher but also an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher. He values methodology over textbook knowledge and believes logical thinking is transferrable, encouraging his students to apply what they have learnt to other subjects and fields.

As a course tutor for Inorganic Chemistry I, Kiro has received wide recognition for his teaching style, emphasising open communication and instant feedback. Kiro strives to facilitate a more relaxed and collaborative learning environment that encourages students to ask questions and seek answers. His approach has been highly praised by undergraduates, professors, and teaching staff.

Kiro's dedication extends beyond the classroom. He is committed to mentoring undergraduate interns from diverse cultural backgrounds in his research group. He understands that simply following instructions without understanding the rationale behind each step can be detrimental to the learning process. Therefore, he encourages his students to think critically and creatively about each experimental procedure. By constantly challenging his students with open-ended questions and seeking plausible answers, Kiro is dedicated to promoting creativity and flexibility for students and guiding them away from stiffness and dogmatism.