Meet Jimmy, Senior Organic Chemist at Newera Bio

Some scientists see molecules. Yun Cheuk Leung, Jimmy sees possibilities. An organic chemist with the soul of an artist, he’s spent his career solving one deceptively simple question: How can we create brilliant colour without harming our planet? His mission is to make the world more vibrant responsibly. From Hong Kong classrooms to Australian labs, his journey reveals how science can be both transformative and deeply human.

Jimmy’s fascination began in a Hong Kong high school classroom, where a simple experiment - dissolving copper in nitric acid - captivated him. "The green solution, the rising brown gas - it was like magic," he recalls. That moment of molecular transformation ignited his path to UNSW Sydney, where he earned his Bachelor’s, Honours, and PhD in Organic Chemistry.

Jimmy’s professional journey mirrors the dynamism of the hues he creates. At Memjet Technology, he developed ink formulations for commercial printers, mastering the art of scaling lab discoveries into real-world products. Alongside this work, a personal passion took root: fountain pens. Jimmy began crafting his own inks, meticulously experimenting with shades of blue. "Ink isn’t just colour," he explains. "It’s chemistry with character - the perfect blue demands precise surface tension, viscosity, and flow."

When he pivoted to Dewpoint Innovations , this artistry met global challenges: designing coatings that harvest drinking water from air and reflective paints that cool urban landscapes.

Today, at newera.bio, Jimmy tackles one of the textile industry’s most pressing problems: pollution-free dyes. His team pioneers indigo-based formulations that eliminate harmful chemicals without compromising performance. Using green chemistry principles, they solve challenges like dye uptake and wash fastness - ensuring vibrant colours that respect the planet.

To bridge lab innovation with industry needs, Jimmy immerses himself in real-world practices. A recent visit to Hangzhou (a global textile hub) deepened his understanding of dyeing workflows - from pre-treatment and screen-printing to digital techniques. He later attended the 24th China International Dye Industry Exhibition, connecting with leading suppliers to source sustainable auxiliaries and align Newera Bio’s research with global advancements.

In 2024, an Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) grant empowered him to accelerate Australia’s next generation of sustainable textile dyes - fuelled by these industry insights.

Jimmy’s approach blends creativity, discipline, and technical mastery - an ethos that extends to his kitchen, where he crafts chilli sauces for his Newera Bio team with the same precision he applies to molecules. "Cooking is chemistry," he reflects. "Both demand intuition and artistry within precise parameters." Whether designing sustainable dyes or balancing flavours, his goal remains constant: harmonising form and function. His favourite pigment, lapis lazuli blue, embodies this philosophy: "It’s timeless - a colour with history, depth, and meaning," he says. "Like a perfect dish or a perfect dye, it’s about balancing elements to create something enduring."

From Hong Kong classrooms to global labs, Jimmy Leung proves that science and sustainability can weave a brighter, more beautiful future. At Newera Bio, he’s not just making dyes - he’s reimagining colour for a sustainable world.