Prof. Shiyong Sun | Applied Mineralogy | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Shiyong Sun, Southwest University of Science and Technology, China

Professor Shiyong Sun, born in August 1980 in Sichuan, China, is a distinguished environmental scientist and professor at the School of Environment and Resource, Southwest University of Science and Technology. With a Ph.D. from HKUST and academic experiences spanning USTC and University of Bristol, his research spans environmental mineralogy, biotechnology, and functional mineral materials. He leads nationally funded projects focused on nanomaterials, biomineralization, and ecological water treatment. His work contributes significantly to sustainable solutions and the understanding of nature-inspired materials, earning him recognition in both China and internationally.

Author Profile

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🌱 Early Academic Pursuits

Professor Shiyong Sun was born in August 1980 in Sichuan, China—a region known for its natural richness and biodiversity, which likely influenced his later research focus in environmental sciences. His academic journey began at the Southwest University of Science and Technology (SWUST), where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Material Physics, specializing in mineral materials in 2004. Recognized for his keen scientific aptitude, he progressed to the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), completing a Master of Philosophy in the Division of Nano-materials and Nano-chemistry in 2007.

His academic ambitions took him beyond China’s borders, where he joined the prestigious Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). There, he pursued a Ph.D. in Nano Science and Technology under the Division of Life Science, completing it in 2010. This strong interdisciplinary foundation across materials science, nanotechnology, and environmental studies laid the groundwork for his career in environmental mineralogy and biotechnology.

👨‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Following the completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Sun returned to his undergraduate alma mater, the School of Environment and Resource at SWUST, where he took up a professorship in 2010. He has remained with the university since, rising to become a leading figure in environmental sciences and applied mineralogy.

Between May 2014 and May 2015, he expanded his international exposure as a visiting scholar at the School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, UK. This experience enriched his scientific worldview and facilitated academic exchanges that continue to influence his collaborative research projects.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Professor Sun’s research seamlessly integrates environmental mineralogy, biotechnology, and functional mineral materials—a multidisciplinary approach critical in addressing today’s environmental challenges. His work is centered around:

• Natural nanocomposites inspired by interactions between amorphous carbons and aluminosilicate minerals.

• Smart mineral-based nanomaterials engineered to mimic nature’s intelligent systems.

• Enzyme-encapsulating microcapsules using iron-rich clay for treating polluted black-odor water.

• Clay-based protocell models, shedding light on the origin of life and biomolecular evolution.

• Coccolithophores biomineralization, investigating their adaptive responses to environmental stressors and their broader ecological significance.

These pioneering projects, funded by prestigious grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and international collaborations (notably with the Russian Foundation for Basic Research), highlight his versatility in bridging materials science and environmental application.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Though specific awards are not listed, Professor Sun’s track record in securing competitive national and international research grants is a testament to his standing in the scientific community. His leadership on six major funded projects and his role in international collaborations place him among the respected researchers in environmental material science.

His extended academic visit to University of Bristol, one of the top research universities in the UK, also underscores international recognition of his scholarly impact and expertise.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Professor Sun’s research has profound environmental relevance. From polluted water treatment solutions to understanding the geological basis of life, his work influences:

• Water resource management strategies via eco-compatible, clay-based biotechnologies.

• Nanomaterials innovation with real-world environmental and biological applications.

• Scientific models on early Earth evolution, potentially reshaping perspectives in astrobiology and prebiotic chemistry.

His contributions also support the Ministry of Education’s Key Laboratory in solid waste treatment—vital for China’s sustainable development initiatives.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Professor Shiyong Sun is poised to make lasting contributions through:

• Expanding biomimetic material research that leverages ancient mineral structures for modern engineering.

• Mentoring the next generation of environmental scientists, strengthening China’s scientific workforce.

• Deepening cross-border scientific cooperation in areas of shared ecological concern, especially between China, the UK, and Russia.

His role as a thought leader in functional environmental materials and green nanotechnologies ensures that his scientific legacy will be both sustainable and innovative—in service of both the planet and scientific advancement.

📖 Publication Top Notes