Wei-Hong Lin | Environmental Science | Excellence in Research Award

Dr. Wei-Hong Lin | Environmental Science | Excellence in Research Award 

National Health Research Institutes| Taiwan

Dr. Wei-Hong Lin is an accomplished environmental engineering researcher specializing in the fate, behavior, and ecological risks of microplastics and emerging contaminants. With a strong interdisciplinary foundation bridging environmental science, physical chemistry, and bioenvironmental engineering, Dr. Lin completed his Ph.D. at the National Taiwan University (2025), following an M.S. from National Sun Yat-sen University (2017) and a B.S. from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (2015). His research trajectory spans microplastic weathering, heavy metal adsorption, environmental toxicology, groundwater remediation, and wetland ecosystem management. Dr. Lin’s academic and professional journey includes roles as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Merced, and a Research Assistant at Academia Sinica. His work has resulted in multiple high-impact publications in journals including Environmental Pollution, Chemosphere, and Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. During his doctoral training under the mentorship of Prof. Shang-Lien Lo, Dr. Lin pioneered an economical solar simulation system to study the environmental aging of microplastics, proposing one of the early mechanistic pathways explaining polymer degradation under environmental stressors. He further investigated heavy-metal interactions with both conventional and biodegradable plastics in marine and freshwater systems, while mentoring graduate students and contributing to national policy development through Taiwan’s Chemical Substance Management Capacity Enhancement Project. At UC Merced, he secured competitive funding from Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) to study synergistic interactions between dissolved organic matter, weathered microplastics, and calcium ions, producing new insights now drafted for journal submission. Earlier work at Academia Sinica contributed to advancing mechanistic understanding of Criegee intermediates using laser-based spectroscopic techniques. Dr. Lin’s technical expertise spans analytical platforms including SEM, FTIR, ICP-OES, dynamic light scattering, flow cytometry, and advanced chromatography techniques for PFAS detection. He also possesses extensive experience in laboratory and project management and has contributed to environmental fieldwork, remediation system design, and teaching environmental experimentation. His research advances global understanding of plastic pollution pathways and informs science-based environmental governance, making him a rising contributor to environmental engineering, pollutant behavior research, and sustainability science.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Cheng, P. K., Ponnusamy, V. K., Lin, W.-H., Chinnadurai, J., Tsai, P. C., Chen, C. Y., Chang, W. T., & Huang, P. C. (2025). Association between urinary metabolites of 1,3‐butadiene and toluene exposure with kidney function indices in Taiwanese school‐aged children living near a petrochemical complex. Environmental Pollution, 127400.

Lin, W.-H., Wang, H.-Y., Kuo, J., & Lo, S.-L. (2023). Adsorption and desorption characteristics of heavy metals onto conventional and biodegradable plastics. Chemosphere, 333, 138920.

Lin, W.-H., Kuo, J., & Lo, S.-L. (2021). Effect of light irradiation on metal adsorption onto microplastics. Chemosphere, 285, 131457.

Chao, W., Lin, Y. H., Yin, C., Lin, W.-H., Takahashi, K., & Lin, J. J. M. (2019). Temperature and isotope effects in the reaction of CH₃CHOO with methanol. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 21(25), 13633–13640.

Lin, Y. H., Yin, C., Lin, W.-H., Li, Y. L., Takahashi, K., & Lin, J. J. M. (2018). Criegee intermediate reaction with alcohol is enhanced by a single water molecule. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 9(24), 7040–7044.

Kao, C. M., Lin, W.-H., Lien, P. J., Sheu, Y. T., & Tu, Y. T. (2018). Application of a multi‐function constructed wetland for stream water quality improvement and ecosystem protection: A case study in Kaohsiung City Taiwan. In Artificial or Constructed Wetlands (1st ed., pp. 126–141). CRC Press.

Li Zhou | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award | 13329

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Li Zhou | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Li Zhou, Jiangnan University, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Li Zhou is a researcher at Jiangnan University, specializing in microbial metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Holding a Ph.D. in Fermentation Engineering, Dr. Zhou has made significant contributions to the biosynthesis of value-added compounds such as L-alanine, D-lactate, and terpenoids with industrial applications. With 66 journal publications and collaborations with Zhejiang University, University of Stellenbosch, and Durban University of Technology, Dr. Zhou has advanced dynamic metabolic engineering frameworks for sustainable biomanufacturing. His research is widely recognized, with 1,649 citations, three patents, and impactful contributions to metabolic engineering and biotechnology.

Profile

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Dr. Li Zhou’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in biotechnology, leading him to pursue a Ph.D. in Fermentation Engineering from Jiangnan University. His doctoral research focused on optimizing microbial pathways to enhance fermentation efficiency, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to microbial metabolic engineering. Through rigorous training and an in-depth understanding of synthetic biology, Dr. Zhou developed expertise in engineering microbial systems for industrial applications, particularly in biosynthesis and bio-based production.

Professional Endeavors 🌍

Since joining the School of Biotechnology at Jiangnan University as an Associate Professor in 2012, Dr. Zhou has dedicated himself to advancing microbial metabolic engineering. Over the past decade, he has worked on multiple research projects, applying innovative synthetic biology approaches to microbial cell factories. His collaborations with Zhejiang University, the University of Stellenbosch, and Durban University of Technology have led to groundbreaking studies published in high-impact journals such as Bioresource Technology and Metabolic Engineering.

Dr. Zhou has also contributed to industrial advancements, bridging the gap between academia and real-world applications. His consultancy work has facilitated the implementation of bio-based solutions in commercial settings, further reinforcing the relevance of his research to sustainable manufacturing.

Contributions and Research Focus 👩‍�

Dr. Zhou specializes in microbial metabolic engineering, with a particular emphasis on optimizing Escherichia coli for efficient biosynthesis of high-value compounds. His research has led to the industrial-scale production of:

  • L-Alanine: Used as a food additive for enhanced nutritional value.
  • D-Lactate: A crucial component in the production of biodegradable plastics.
  • Terpenoids: Essential for pharmaceutical intermediates, supporting drug development and medical research.

One of Dr. Zhou’s most notable achievements is the establishment of dynamic metabolic engineering frameworks that enable precise regulation of microbial cell factories. His methodologies have significantly improved biomanufacturing efficiency, reducing resource consumption while maximizing yield. His work aligns with global sustainability efforts, promoting environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical synthesis.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Dr. Zhou’s research contributions have earned him recognition within the scientific community. With an impressive citation index of 1,649, his work has been widely referenced, influencing subsequent studies in microbial engineering. He has published 66 peer-reviewed journal articles in prestigious scientific databases such as SCI and Scopus, contributing to the global body of knowledge in biomanufacturing.

Additionally, he holds three patents, underscoring his commitment to translating academic research into tangible technological advancements. His innovative approaches have been acknowledged by leading institutions, further solidifying his reputation as a key figure in the field of metabolic engineering.

Publication Top Notes

Dynamically metabolic engineering overflow metabolism for efficient production of l-alanine in Escherichia coli

ContributorsJinyang Li; Jiawen Shen; Wuyue Ye; Xinyan Tang; Zhiyu Wang; Muyun Geng; Yunye Liu; Xianzhong Chen; Li Zhou

Journal: Bioresource Technology
Year: 2025
ContributorsZhou, L.; Wang, Q.; Shen, J.; Li, Y.; Zhang, H.; Zhang, X.; Yang, S.; Jiang, Z.; Wang, M.; Li, J. et al.

Journal: Bioresource Technology
Contributors: Zhou, L.; Wang, Q.; Shen, J.; Li, Y.; Zhang, H.; Zhang, X.; Yang, S.; Jiang, Z.; Wang, M.; Li, J. et al.
Journal: Bioresource Technology
Year: 2024