Having dreamed of becoming a professor since his undergraduate days at HKUST, Frederick returned to his alma mater as an Assistant Professor in the summer of 2015. Prior to this, he was a Jacob D. Tamarkin Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics of Brown University. His research interests include differential geometry, partial differential equations and complex geometry. He has been recognized for his academic achievements through various awards such as the 2014 AMS-Simons Travel Grant, 2013 New World Mathematics Award (Doctoral Thesis, Silver Prize), 2007 Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship and 2005 HKUST Academic Achievement Medal.

Frederick explains his passion for teaching: "As a professor I can teach subjects I like and do research on topics I am interested in. My everyday life will be surrounded by like-minded people." He credits the university's global vision for broadening his horizons and helping him develop an international outlook, and is grateful to his HKUST professors for inspiring him to pursue his dream career. Frederick has come full circle since then, and his dedication to teaching has been recognized by his alma mater, most recently with the School of Science Teaching Award (2017) and Best Ten Lecturer (2017). 

He remains an engaged and supportive alumnus after graduation, and helped to organize alumni reunions in San Francisco and Boston during his stay there.