(Lily) Peiran Li is a final year PhD candidate at the School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney. Her research investigates the drying dynamics and interfacial mechanics of bacterial micro-fibrous cellulose (B-MFC) suspensions to engineer cohesive films that enhance agricultural additive delivery and retention on plant surfaces. Building on earlier work within the ARC Linkage Project Plant Plasters: Efficient Spray Micro-Coatings for Plant Delivery, she now continues this programme under a dedicated research scholarship, using advanced imaging and force-mapping to connect fibre-level interactions to macroscopic coating performance.
“I’m driven by sustainability: turning natural materials into smarter coatings that deliver additives efficiently, cut waste and runoff, and, at scale, support more resilient agriculture. Ultimately, I want this science to help reduce food insecurity and hunger, with a more sustainable approach.”
