Dr Low Liang Ee

Lecturer
School of Engineering

low.liangee@monash.edu
+603 5514 4420
Room 5-4-30
ORCID

Personal statement

Liang Ee Low is a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering Discipline, Monash University Malaysia. He received his Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from Monash University. He then worked as Research Fellow at Monash and Zhejiang University before joining as a lecturer at Monash University. Liang Ee’s research focuses on the design and development of smart micro-/nano-assemblies for food and biomedical applications. Examples of these applications include the innovative oil and fat food system, smart sustained-release food supplement, stimuli-responsive Pickering emulsion, and dynamic nanoassemblies for drug delivery (tumor-targeting). His work also aims to disclose the fundamental aspects behind bio-nano interactions and surface & interface chemistry of materials. To date, Dr. Low has published over 30 scientific papers in high impact journals, including Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Carbohydrate Polymers, Journal of Controlled Release, Trends in Food Science & Technology, etc., with an h-index of 12. He has secured one government grant and established collaboration with researchers from other fields and industries.

Academic degrees

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering, Monash University, 2018
  • Master in Engineering (Hons.) in Chemical Engineering, University of Nottingham, 2014

Professional affiliations

Member of National Professional Bodies

  • Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), Graduate Member

Member of International Professional Bodies

  • Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Associate Member

Research Interests

  • Smart nanomaterial and dynamic nanoassemblies
  • Pickering emulsion
  • Colloid and interface science
  • Oil and fat food innovation
  • Smart food supplement system
  • Disease-specific nanomedicine and sensor
  • Disease model construction

Research Projects

Title: Development of Stimuli-responsive Nanoassemblies for Diagnosis and Therapy of Tumors

The treatment of tumor has been experiencing tremendous problems due to the presence of tumor microenvironment (TME) comprising unique characteristics such as pH reduction, redox imbalance, dynamic hypoxia, complex vasculature, and so on, which barricaded the delivery of medicines to tumor lesions. The incorporation of functional nanoparticles that offer structural assembly/disassembly in response to TME properties into medicinal formulations may be promising to ensure a safe delivery passage across the TME to reach tumor sites. The ultimate goal of this project is to establish nanotechnological systems that could effectively inhibit the growth and progressions of tumor and its microenvironment in human body.

Title: Development of Smart Oil and Fat Food System for Sustained Release of Natural Product

Natural product exhibits various nutritional and medicinal properties, such as antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, etc., which are beneficial to human health. However, natural products suffer from poor absorption and low bioavailability in human body due to their hydrophobic nature. This project aims to develop innovative oil and fat food systems that allow effective encapsulation and delivery of natural product to human body. The scope of this study will include the design of nanocarrier for encapsulation and sustained release of natural product, as well as the disclosure of nano-bio interactions between the natural product, carrier and tissues to ensure the actual absorption of the delivered bioactive.

Journal

  • Aw, Y.Z., Lim, H.P., Low, L.E., Surjit Singh, C.K., Chan, E.S., Tey, B.T.* (2022). Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-stabilized Pickering emulsion for improved curcumin storage stability. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 159, 113249. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113249
  • Low, S.S., Yew, M., Lim, C.N., Chai, W.S., Low, L.E., Manickam, S.*, Tey, B.T., Show, P.L.* (2022). Sonoproduction of nanobiomaterials – A critical review. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 82, 105887. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105887
  • Low, S.S., Lim, C.N., Yew, M., Chai, W.S., Low, L.E.*, Manickam, S.*, Tey, B.T., Show, P.L.* (2021). Recent Ultrasound advancements for the manipulation of nanobiomaterials and nanoformulations for drug delivery. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 80, 105805. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105805
  • Zhang, L., Sun, H., Zhao, J., Lee, J., Low, L.E., Gong, L., Chen, Y., Wang, N., Zhu, C., Lin, P., Liang, Z., Wei, M., Ling, D., Li F.* (2021). Dynamic nanoassemblies for imaging and therapy of neurological disorders. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 175, 113832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2021.113832
  • Hu, X., Li, F., Xia, F., Wang, Q., Lin, P., Wei, M., Gong, L., Low, L.E., Lee, J.Y., Ling, D.* (2021). Dynamic nanoassembly-based drug delivery system (DNDDS): Learning from nature. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 175, 113830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2021.113830
  • Wang, Q., Liang, Z., Li, F.*, Lee, J., Low, L.E., Ling, D.* (2021). Dynamically switchable magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. Exploration, 1(1), e210. http://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20210009
  • Wong, S.K., Low, L.E., Supramaniam J., Manickam S., Wong, T.W., Pang, C.H.*, Tang, S.Y.* (2021). Physical stability and rheological behavior of Pickering emulsions stabilized by protein-polysaccharide hybrid nanoconjugates. Nanotechnology Reviews, 10(1), 1293-1305. https://doi.org/10.1515/ntrev-2021-0090
  • Tan, P.X., Thiyagarasaiyar, K., Tan, C.-Y., Jeon, Y.-J., Nadzie, M.S.M., Wu, Y.-J., Low, L.E., Atanasov, A.G., Ming, L.C., Liew, K.B., Goh, B.-H.*, Yow, Y.Y.* (2021). Algae-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Compounds against Particulate Matters-Induced Respiratory Diseases: A Systematic Review. Marine Drugs, 19(6), 317. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19060317
  • Low, L.E., Wang, Q., Chen, Y., Lin, P., Yang, S., Gong, L., Lee, J., Siva, S.P., Goh, B.-H., Li, F.*, Ling, D.* (2021). Microenvironment-tailored nanoassemblies for the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. Nanoscale, 13, 10197-10238. https://doi.org/D1NR02127C
  • Chew, C.L.*, Low, L.E., Chia, W.Y., Chew, K.W., Liew, Z.K., Chan, E.-S., Chan, Y.J., Kong, P.S., Show, P.L. (2021). Prospects of Palm Fruit Extraction Technology: Palm Oil Recovery Processes and Quality Enhancement. Food Reviews International. https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2021.1890117
  • Kong, C.K., Low, L.E., Siew, W.S., Yap, W.H., Khaw, L.Y., Ming, L.C., Mocan, A., Goh, B.H., Goh, P.H.* (2021). Biological Activities of Snowdrop (Galanthus spp., Family Amaryllidaceae). Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 2394. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.552453
  • Chew, C.L.*, Ng, C.Y., Hong, W.O., Wu, T.Y., Lee, Y.-Y., Low, L.E., Kong, P.S., Chan, E.S.* (2021). Improving Sustainability of Palm Oil Production by Increasing Oil Extraction Rate: a Review. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 14, 573-586. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-020-02555-1
  • Low, L.E., Teh, K.C., Siva, S.P., Chew, I.M.L.*, Mwangi, W.W., Chew, C.L., Goh, B.-H., Chan, E.S., Tey, B.T. (2021). Lignin nanoparticles: the next green nanoreinforcer with wide opportunity. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 15, 100398. https://doi.org/j.enmm.2020.100398
  • Kuppusamy, G.*, Kong, C.K., Segaran, G.C., Tarmalingam, E., Herriman, M., Ismail, M.F., Khan, T.M., Low, L.E., Goh, B.-H.* (2020). Hummingbird-leaves-reared black soldier fly prepupae: assessment of nutritional and heavy metal compositions. Biology, 9(9), 274. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology90902744
  • Mahendra, C.K., Tan, L.T.H., Pusparajah, P., Htar, T.T., Chuah, L.-H., Lee, V.S., Low, L.E., Tang, S.Y., Chan, K.-G.*, Goh, B.H.* (2020). Dentrimental Effects of UVB on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells and Its Role in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020, 1904178. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1904178
  • Low, L.E., Wu, J., Lee, J., Tey, B.T., Goh, B.–H., Gao, J., Li, F., Ling, D.* (2020). Tumor-responsive dynamic nanoassemblies for targeted imaging, therapy and microenvironment manipulation. Journal of Controlled Release, 324, 69-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.05.014
  • Low, L.E., Ong, B.H., Tey, B.T., Tang, S.Y.* (2020). Factor Affecting the Stability and Physical Properties of Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Fe3O4@CNC Nanocomposites. Progress in Drug Discovery & Biomedical Science, 3(1), a0000073. https://doi.org/10.36877/pddbs.a0000073
  • Mwangi, W.W., Lim, H.P., Low, L.E., Tey, B.T., Chan, E.S.* (2020). Food-grade Pickering emulsions for encapsulation and delivery of bioactives. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 100, 320-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2020.04.020
  • Mahendra, C.K., Tan, L.T.H., Lee, W.L., Yap, W.H., Pusparajah, P., Low, L.E., Tang, S.Y., Chan, K.G.*, Lee, L.H.*, Goh, B.H.* (2020). Angelicin – A Furocoumarin Compound With Vast Biological Potential. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 366. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00366
  • Low, L.E., Siva, S.P., Ho, Y.K., Chan, E.S., Tey, B.T.* (2020). Recent advances of characterization techniques for the formation, physical properties and stability of Pickering emulsion. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 277, 102117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2020.102117
  • Low, L.E., Ooi, C.W., Chan, E.S., Ong, B.H., Tey, B.T.* (2020). Dual (magnetic and pH) stimuli-reversible Pickering emulsions based on poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-bonded Fe3O4 nanocomposites for oil recovery application. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 8, 103715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.103715
  • Lim, S.L., Ooi, C.–W., Low, L.E., Tan, W.S., Chan, E.–S., Ho, K.L., Tey, B.T.* (2020). Synthesis of poly(acrylamide)-based hydrogel for bio-sensing of hepatitis B core antigen. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 243, 122578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2019.122578
  • Low, L.E., Wong, S.K., Tang, S.Y.*, Chew, C.L., De Silva, H.A., Lee, J.M.V., Hoo, C.H., Kenrick, K. (2019). Production of Highly Uniform Pickering Emulsions by Novel High-Intensity Ultrasonic Tubular Reactor (HUTR). Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 54, 121-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.02.008
  • Tan, L.T.–H.*, Low, L.E., Tang, S.Y., Yap, W.H., Chuah, L.H., Chan, C.K., Lee, L.H., Goh, B.–H.* (2019). A reliable and affordable 3D tumor spheroid model for natural product drug discovery: A case study of curcumin. Progress in Drug Discovery & Biomedical Science, 2(1), a0000017. https://doi.org/10.36877/pddbs.a0000017
  • Low, L.E., Tan, L.T.–H., Goh, B.–H., Tey, B.T., Ong, B.H., Tang, S.Y.* (2019). Magnetic cellulose nanocrystal stabilized Pickering emulsions for enhanced bioactive release and human colon cancer therapy. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 127, 76-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.01.037
  • Low, L.E., Tey, B.T., Ong, B.H., Tang, S.Y.* (2018). A Facile and Rapid Sonochemical Synthesis of Monodispersed Fe3O4@CNC Nanocomposites without Inert Gas Protection. Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, 13, e2209. https://doi.org/10.1002/apj.2209
  • Low, L.E., Tey, B.T., Ong, B.H., Tang, S.Y.* (2018). Unravelling pH-responsive Behaviour of Fe3O4@CNCs-stabilized Pickering Emulsions under the Influence of Magnetic Field. Polymer, 141, 93-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2018.03.001
  • Low, L.E., Tey, B.T., Ong, B.H., Chan, E.S., Tang, S.Y.* (2017). Palm olein-in-water Pickering emulsion stabilized by Fe3O4-cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposites and their responses to pH. Carbohydrate Polymers, 155, 391–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.08.091
  • Low, L.E., Tey, B.T., Ong, B.H., Chan, E.S., Tang, S.Y.* (2016). Dispersion Stability, Magnetivity, and Wettability of CNC-dispersed Superparamagnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles. RSC Advances, 6(114), 113132-113138. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA16109J
  • Tiong, T.J.*, Low, L.E., Teoh, H.J., Chin, J., Manickam, S. (2015). Variation in performance at different positions of an ultrasonic VialTweeter – A study based on various physical and chemical activities. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 27, 165-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.04.033

Book

  • Ong, Y.S., Khaw, K.Y., Tan, L.T.-H., Yew, P.-N., Tan, K.-B., Yap, W.H., Tang, S.Y., Low, L.E., Lee, L.-H., Goh, B.-H.* (2021). An overview of the bioactivities of Gedunin. In: D. Pal, A.K. Nayak (Eds.), Advanced Structural Material: Bioactive Natural Products for Pharmaceutical Applications, Vol. 140, 563-586. Springer Nature, Cham, Switzerland. http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-544027-2_16
  • Low, L.E., Wong, S.K., Chew, C.L., Tang, S.Y.* (2020). Principles and Potential Applications of Cavitation Technology for Nano-Foods. In: G.V. Barbosa-Canovas, U. Hebbar, S. Ranjan, N. Dasgupta, R.K. Mishra (Eds.), Nano-food Engineering, Vol 1, 125-152. Springer Nature, Cham, Switzerland. http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44552-2_5

Conference

  • Low, L.E., Tan, L.T.–H., Goh, B.H., Tang, S.Y. In-vitro Digestion Profile of Curcumin Encapsulated in Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Fe3O4@CNC Nanocomposites, The 9th Australian Colloid & Interface Symposium, 3-7th February 2019, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
  • Low, L.E., Tey, B.T., Ong, B.H., Tang, S.Y. Tunable Droplet Stability of Palm Olein-based Pickering Emulsions stabilized by Fe3O4@CNC Nanocomposites, 5th International Conference on Oils and Fats 2018, 14 & 15th August 2018, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Chew, C.L., Low, L.E., Hilmi, S.M.H.S., Chan, E.S., Tang, S.Y. Separation of Water-in-crude Palm Oil Emulsions by Indirect Ultrasound Irradiation, 8th International Colloids Conference, 10-13rd June, 2018, Shanghai, China.
  • Abd-Rahim, A.-H., Tang, S.Y., Low, L.E., Tey, B.T. A novel Ultrasonic Pipe Technology for the Production of Carotene-rich Palm Olein Nanoemulsions. 30th Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers, 6 & 7th December, 2017, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Low, L.E., Tey, B.T., Ong, B.H., Tang, S.Y. An Ultrafast and Facile Sonochemical Synthesis of Fe3O4-CNC Nanocomposites without Inert Gas Protection. The 17th Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineers Congress, 23-27th August, 2017, WanChai, Hong Kong.
  • Tang, S.Y., Low, L.E., Abd-Rahim, A.-H. A Novel Emulsification Approach based on Ultrasonic Intensifying Tube Reactor. The 7th Asian Conference on Colloid and Interface Science, 8-11st August, 2017, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Low, L.E., Tey, B.T., Ong, B.H., Tang, S.Y. Magnetite-cellulose Nanocrystal Composite Stabilized Magnetic Pickering Emulsion: Effects of CNC-Fe3O4 Ratio. The 7th Asian Conference on Colloid and Interface Science, 8-11st August, 2017, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Local grants

  • Investigating the synergistic effect of mucoadhesive and magnetic responsiveness of iron oxide-chitosan nanocomposite Pickering emulsion for controlled-delivery of the lipophilic molecules, Tey Beng Ti (PI), Chan Eng Seng, Lee Yee Ying, Low Liang Ee, 01/11/2020 – 30/10/2023, FRGS, RM 112,500

Current supervision

Phang Sue Jiun, Jamie (Co-supervision)

Elucidating charge dynamics in carbon quantum dots-based nanocomposites in photocatalysis for environmental and energy applications

2019 – Present

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

Chew Yi Hao (Co-supervision)

Development of highly efficient solar-driven photocatalyst for simultaneous photocatalytic H2 and O2 production via overall water splitting

2017 – Present

Monash University Malaysia

Local Award/Recognition/Exhibition/Stewardship

  • Young Researcher Award, IChemE Malaysia, 2017

International Award/Recognition/Exhibition/Stewardship

  • Finalist of the Young Researcher Award, IChemE UK, 2017
  • PhD Student Award of APCAT-6 Grant and Fellowship Program, APCAT-6 conference and NTU, 2013