Dr. Hua Qian Ang (Vivian)
Senior Lecturer and Researcher (RMIT University)
Founder and Cartoonist (EPIC Engineering Comic)
Dr Hua Qian Ang is the founder of EPIC Engineering Comic, a Chartered Professional Engineer with Engineers Australia, and an award-winning engineering educator, researcher and cartoonist.
Dr. Ang is deeply passionate about engineering education, with a vision to make it free, accessible, and equitable worldwide. Through the creation of EPIC Engineering Comic, she aims to share authentic engineering knowledge and inspire a global audience to explore engineering through imaginative storytelling and visual arts. Apart from teaching, Dr. Ang's research focuses on the mechanical properties and deformation behaviour of light alloys, particularly magnesium alloys. She is also interested in additive manufacturing and laser processing of metals and alloys. Outside of academia, Dr. Ang currently holds multiple volunteer roles focused on supporting community-driven engineering initiatives. She has been widely recognised in the media for her innovative contributions to engineering and education.
Dr Ang is currently a member of the following professional societies:
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Engineers Australia
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Australasian Association for Engineering Education
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
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High-pressure die-casting and solidification processes
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Material characterisation of metals and alloys, including sample preparation and etching, characterisation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional intermetallic phases using SEM and FIB, respectively, phase identification with EDS technique as well as twin quantification using EBSD
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Porosity quantification and fractographic analysis using 3D X-ray microscopic CT Scanner
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Mechanical testing of advanced materials and the use of FE modelling using Abaqus for verification purpose
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Different types of deformation mechanisms, such as slip and twinning systems in magnesium and alloys
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3D printing and additive layer manufacturing technology
EDUCATION
RMIT University, Australia (2014 - 2017)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
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Experience in material analysis with the aim of improving the mechanical properties of commercial die-cast magnesium-aluminium based alloys
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Doctoral research titled "Mechanical properties and deformation behaviour of high-pressure die-cast magnesium-aluminium based alloys"
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First-authored and co-authored papers in high-impact journals
RMIT University, Australia (2011-2013)
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (Honours)
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Achieved a GPA of 4.0/4.0 and High Distinction (HD) in all subjects
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Carried out a research on stress concentrations for plates with holes and successfully designed and built a robotic tripod dolly which can be operated by a remote controller and it filled a design niche that had never been fulfilled
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Singapore (2008-2011)
Diploma in Digital and Precision Engineering with specialisation in Integrated CAD/CAM Technology and Product Innovation & Rapid Prototyping
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Admitted to Director’s List twice (top 15% of the cohort)
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SKILLS
Software Skills:
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Aztec HKL CHANNEL 5 (post-EBSD analysis), PANDAT CompuTherm, ImageJ, PLM Arena, WITNESS Software, Festo FluidSIM Software, Design-Ease, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, Matlab
CAD and FEA Modelling Skills:
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AutoCAD, Solidworks, Abaqus FEA, Unigraphics NX5, CATIA
Machining Skills:
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Instron Universal Testing Machine, Struers grinding and polishing machine, Makino milling and turning machines, AgieCharmilles CNC and EDM wire-cut, Laser cutting machine Trumpf, Wire-arc additive manufacturing
Microscopy Skills:
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Leica optical microscopes, SEM, TEM, 3D X-ray microscopic CT Scanner
COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE SKILLS
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Invited as guest/keynote speaker for engineering events
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Regularly present in seminars and conferences
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Winner and People's Choice of 2014 RMIT Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition
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Fluent in spoken and written English, Mandarin Chinese, and Malay
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Fluent in spoken Cantonese, Taiwanese Hokkien.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Current Research Interests
Metals and Alloys & Additive Manufacturing
Focus on understanding and improving the mechanical properties and deformation behaviour of metals and alloys, in particular magnesium alloys to help towards commercial development for different applications, such as automotive, biomedical and others. Fabrication of metal and alloy components by additive manufacturing is also of interest. Additive manufacturing does not only produce complex structures and parts, it can also control the microstructures of the alloys to achieve the desired properties.
Past Research Topics
Automotive Safety in Side Impact Crashes: Optimisation of Side Impact Beam
Focus on strengthening the vehicle side door with a side impact beam to minimise the passenger compartment penetration while strange object intrudes into the cabin space, and consequently reducing severe accident injuries and death. This research hopes to investigate the advantageous mechanical properties of cellular solids and develop a side impact beam with cellular structures to maximise impact energy absorption and minimise the weight added to the structure.
Biomimicking of Natural Cellular Structures in Automotive Safety
Cellular structures are mechanically efficient. The material porosity may serve a variety of functions, including provision for high stiffness and crash energy absorption. Examples of these cellular structures are wide spread in nature, such as wood, cork, plant stems and even leaves. For example, the honeycomb-like microstructures of wood and cork and the polyhedral cell structures found in plant stems give an exceptionally high performance index for resisting bending and buckling. This research hopes to emulate similar natural cellular structures in vehicle design.
EMPLOYMENT
Academia
2023-Current
Founder, Cartoonist and Illustrator
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EPIC Engineering Comic is the world's first engineering comic series that adopts a scientific journal-style format and has been published in Engineers Australia and Engineers Without Borders newsletters
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Explain complex engineering topics, concepts, and research in language understandable by everyone through imaginative storytelling with visual arts
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An award-winning teaching initiative to make engineering fun and interesting
2023-Current
Senior Lecturer and Researcher
2014-2022
Lecturer & Researcher
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Pioneer the EPIC (Experiential, Paired, Inquiry-based, Collective) principles and lead award-winning initiatives in engineering education
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Research areas include metals and alloys, magnesium alloys, additive manufacturing and laser processing
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Coordinate and teach mechanical and materials engineering courses at RMIT Melbourne and RMIT International (e.g., Kaplan Singapore, VTC Hong Kong and Shandong University)
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Other past and current roles include:
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Program Manager of BH070 Kaplan-Singapore Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours)
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Deputy Accreditation Manager for School of Engineering
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Program initiator and coordinator of RMIT STEM College – Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) Faculty of Innovation Engineering (FIE) Joint PhD program
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Mentor of the BOOST Academic Promotion Program
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Organiser of engineering events
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Supervise undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students
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Regularly involved in journal article and grant writing
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Interact and collaborate with researchers and industry partners
Industry
2011-2013
Assistant Engineer
FARO Technologies Inc., Singapore
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Provided technical support to external and internal customers, assisted engineers in product design using Autocad and NX5.0 and developed engineering drawings.
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Improved product performance by reviewing computer data in regard to how specific shapes transmit energy across their surfaces and using it to pinpoint areas where stress within the part can lead to failure.
2010
Intern
FARO Technologies Inc., Headquarters, Florida
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Participated in FARO biggest project of the year-Airbus Testing using FARO portable measurement equipment and significantly improved the model to prevent unnecessary failures
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Successfully designed a more efficient way in processing 3D data
ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEERING
2025 - 2027 : Judge of the Victoria People Awards Judging Panel; Engineers Australia
2024 - Current : Committee Member; Engineers Australia Mechanical College Victoria Branch
2024 - Current : Industry Reviewer, Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Challenge
2024 - Current : Media and Communications Manager, Engineers Without Borders (NSW Region Chapter)
2024 - Current : Mentor; Dandenong High School Design Engineering Academy
2024 - 2025 : Lead Guest Editor; Special Issue in Crystals Journal by MDPI
2023 - Current : Office Bearer; Engineers Australia National Mechanical College
2023 : Mentor; CSIRO Innovate to Grow Program
2023 : Advisory Committee; 3rd International Conference on Recent Advances in Materials &
Manufacturing Technologies (IMMT)
2022 : Mentor; APEC-Australia Women in Research Fellowship
2018 - Current : Project Coordinator; Several Not-for-Profit Organisations
2016 - Current : Editorial Board Member and Reviewer; Top Engineering Journals and Conferences
ACHIEVEMENTS (AWARDS/GRANTS/ SCHOLARSHIPS)
Professional
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2025: 2024 Australian Awards for University Teaching–Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning by Universities Australia
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2024: Commendation for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor's International (Peter Coloe) Award by RMIT STEM College
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2024: Finalist in the Engineering Excellence Award Category at the Women of Colour in STEM Awards 2024 by STEM Sisters
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2024: Vice-Chancellor’s International Excellence Award by RMIT
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2024: Winner of the Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year 2024-Victoria and National Finalist for the Engineers Australia Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year 2024, represented Victoria
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2024: Learning and Teaching Innovation Fund by RMIT
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2023: Edified Energiser Grant Award by Edified
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2023: Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning by RMIT
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2023: Bridging Innovations in Health, Science and Technology Symposium Informative Infographic Outstanding Poster Award
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2023: RMIT Women Researchers' Network Symposium Best Poster Award
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2023: Adobe x Creative Curriculum Grant by Adobe
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2023: STEM Teaching Excellence Award by RMIT
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2021: RMIT School of Engineering Early Career Teaching Award
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2020: Start-Up Fund by RMIT
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2019: RMIT Bundoora Early Career Researcher Network Symposium Best Presentation Award
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2018: SEH College Pro Vice-Chancellor Prize: Higher Degree by Research
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2018: HDR Ford Publication Commendation Prize by RMIT
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2017-2020: Dean's Commendation for Teaching Excellence
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2017: Higher Degree by Research Publications Grant (HDRPG) Award
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2015-2017: RMIT PhD International Scholarship (RPIS) and ARC top-up scholarship in High Performance Magnesium Alloys
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2015: Top 100 in the World, Airbus Fly Your Ideas competition
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2014: Notable High Achiever in SEH College Student Choice Teaching Award
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2014: Winner and People's Choice of RMIT Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
Represented RMIT in the 2014 Trans-Tasman 3MT competition at the University of Western Australia on 3 November 2014. -
2013: RMIT Super-Engineering Award for top undergraduate student
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2012: RMIT Most Creative Assignment Award
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2008-2011: Digital and Precision Engineering Scholarship by Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) Singapore
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NYP Director’s List for outstanding academic performance
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Academic Year 2009/2010 Semester 1
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Academic Year 2010/2011 Semester 1
Athletics
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Top 10 in IODA World Sailing Championship 2004
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2nd runner up in “Girls Under-15” category in Asean Games 2004
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Champion in Malaysian Games "Girls" category in 2004; 2nd runner up in 2006
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Other awards include "Penang's Best Athlete under-15", "Best Sailor 2004"
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Won numerous awards in athletic events such as marathon, long-jumping and sailing
