Dr Charlotte Zhu is a postdoctoral research associate in Particle and Catalysis Research Laboratory at the School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW.  Charlotte’s research is dedicated to the development of catalysts that harness sunlight as a major energy source for the efficient reduction of CO₂ into high-value, fuel-type products. Her work explores photothermal and light-assisted thermal pathways, aiming to advance sustainable energy conversion technologies for carbon circularity.  Central to her research is the investigation of the optical and physical properties of catalytic materials to better understand surface-reactant interactions. She also focuses on elucidating the role of light in influencing reaction mechanisms, providing insights that bridge fundamental science and practical application in solar-driven CO₂ utilisation.