Che is a PhD candidate in Industrial Ecology at Leiden University, focusing on safe, sustainable, and circular design and decision support in the energy and healthcare sectors.

More information about Che Xiao

Professional experience

Che Xiao is a PhD candidate at the Department of Industrial Ecology, Leiden University. He is part of the Horizon Europe project ENKORE, where he works on developing new ways to make the healthcare sector safer, more sustainable, and more circular.

His academic journey began in electrical engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he designed a low-carbon operational mechanism for an industrial park. This project, which received top marks, first sparked his interest in sustainability and large-scale system design.

Before starting his PhD, Che completed a cum laude MSc in Industrial Ecology at Delft University of Technology and Leiden University (joint degree). His thesis examined the interaction between renewable energy technologies and circular economy strategies, combining prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA) and dynamic material flow analysis (dMFA). This work deepened his interest in methodological innovation to connect decarbonisation with circularity.

Research topic

Che is an interdisciplinary and methodologically oriented researcher who enjoys working at the crossroads of engineering, sustainability science, and policymaking. He has a strong background in electrical engineering as well as expertise in prospective LCA and dynamic MFA.

His current research explores how Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) principles can be integrated into real-world product innovation and aligned with evolving regulations such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). He seeks to create practical design and decision-support tools that help researchers, companies, and policymakers navigate trade-offs and generatively chart pathways toward a climate-neutral and resource-efficient future.

Beyond his academic work, Che values philosophy as a way of deepening perspectives on science and society. He finds inspiration in Chinese Neo-Confucianism and German classical philosophy, both of which guide his search for balance between knowledge, ethics, and the flourishing of life.