Our team is dedicated to advancing research on the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources in the Poyang Lake Basin, China’s largest freshwater lake. With a special focus on microalgal biotechnology, we aim to leverage the unique properties of microalgae for resource optimization, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable energy solutions. Our research integrates cutting-edge technologies to enhance the high-value utilization of water, land, and biological resources, while addressing the challenges of carbon neutrality through innovative, multi-scale systems. In addition, we are building a comprehensive database on resource metabolism and omics for the Poyang Lake region to provide a scientific foundation for sustainable environmental solutions.
Core Research Areas:
1.Resource Metabolism & Ecosystem Dynamics: Investigating the interactions between natural resources, ecosystem processes, and their broader environmental impacts, with particular attention to how microalgae influence these dynamics.
2.Microalgal Biotechnology for Sustainable Utilization: Utilizing the unique capabilities of microalgae for the sustainable production of biofuels, biomaterials, and other high-value products, while ensuring minimal environmental impact and maximum resource efficiency.
3.Carbon-Neutral Resource Optimization: Designing multi-dimensional, scalable systems for resource use optimization that contribute to regional and global carbon-neutral goals, incorporating microalgae in carbon sequestration and renewable energy production.
4.Integrated Solutions for Human-Nature Symbiosis: Developing holistic, integrated strategies that balance ecological preservation with socio-economic development in the Poyang Lake region, leveraging microalgae’s potential in bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and ecological restoration.
Academic Leader
Prof. Wenguang Zhou
Team Members
Jin Liu, Shengxi Shao, Jun Qian, Han Sun, Liangliang Fan, Peilun Xu, Yong Liu, Chunyang Ma, Zhiwei Liang, Jingjing Li, Jie Zheng
Wenguang Zhou, Ph.D., Professor
Professor Wenguang Zhou specializes in microalgal biotechnology, renewable wastewater treatment, microalgal carbon neutrality, and the circular economy of biomass resources. He received the following achievements and positions: Recipient of the 7th China Overseas Chinese Contribution Award, Leading talent under the Gan-Po Talent Support Program, Executive Director of the Key Laboratory of Environmental and Resource Utilization of Poyang Lake, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Algal Research, Member of the Academic Committee of the International Phycological Society (ABO), Chair of the 10th Asia-Pacific Conference on Algal Biotechnology (APCAB), Member of the Expert Database for the National Key Research and Development Program, Ministry of Science and Technology Member of the Expert Database for the National Science and Technology Award Office Project.
Professor Zhou has led or participated in over ten projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, and Environmental Protection Agency. He has also led four projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, four key research and development projects in Jiangxi Province, and one project under the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. Additionally, he has been involved in two projects under the National International Science and Technology Cooperation Program (2010DFB63750 and 2014DFA61040).Professor Zhou has published over 100 high-quality research papers and has applied for more than 30 invention patents in the United States and China. He also serves as a reviewer for over 20 international journals.
Jin Liu, Ph.D., Professor
Professor Liu is a renowned expert in the fields of algal metabolism and synthetic biology. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in biology from Sun Yat-sen University, followed by a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Hong Kong. He has held academic positions at Arizona State University, the University of Maryland, and Peking University. Currently, he is a Professor and doctoral supervisor at the College of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University.
His research primarily focuses on algal metabolism and synthetic biology, with a particular emphasis on developing engineered metabolic pathways for sustainable biofuel production. Professor Liu has published over 60 papers in top-tier journals, including Molecular Plant, New Phytologist, Plant Physiology, Plant Journal, Metabolic Engineering, Biotechnology for Biofuels, and Bioresource Technology. His work has been internationally recognized, and he has led several high-profile research projects, including those funded by the National Key Research and Development Program and the National Natural Science Foundation, as well as international collaborations. His total research funding exceeds 20 million yuan.
Professor Liu’s contributions to the field have earned him significant accolades, including being named Science China’s "Scientist of the Year 2018" and being ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally in the "Annual Impact" list for 2020-2022. His team at the College of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University continues to make groundbreaking advances in algal metabolic engineering, with a focus on sustainable applications in bioenergy and environmental biotechnology.
Email: gjinliu@ncu.edu.cn
Shengxi Shao, PhD, Associate Professor
Dr. Shengxi Shao is a distinguished research leader at Nanchang University, specializing in algal biotechnology and its applications in environmental sustainability and resource utilization. With a solid academic foundation, Dr. Shao earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Nanjing Agricultural University, followed by a Master’s in Molecular Plant Biology and Biotechnology (with distinction) and a PhD in Molecular Biology from Imperial College London. After completing his PhD, he continued as a postdoctoral researcher at Imperial College, focusing on cyanobacterial photosynthesis.
Dr. Shao’s research focuses on enhancing photosynthesis efficiency, particularly in cyanobacteria, by studying the assembly, repair, and light stress response of photosystem II. He also explores the ecological management of algal blooms and the sustainable utilization of algal biomass. Additionally, Dr. Shao is dedicated to advancing microalgae-based solutions for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and is involved in the design of photobioreactors to enhance large-scale algal cultivation. His work aims to address global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and environmental sustainability. Currently, Dr. Shao leads several prestigious research initiatives, including projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and multiple key research programs under the Jiangxi Provincial Government. He has published in high-impact international journals and earned multiple awards in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions.
Email: s.shao@ncu.edu.cn
Jun Qian, Ph.D, Associate Professor
He holds a Ph.D degree in Environmental Science from The University of Shiga Prefecture in Japan, sponsored by the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC). Currently, he serves as an associate professor with master's supervisor at Nanchang University and is recognized as a D-category high-level talent in Jiangxi Province. He is also a flexibly-engaged expert invited by Jiangxi Hongcheng Waterworks Environmental Co., Ltd. Over the past eight years, Dr. Qian has dedicated himself to fundamental and applied research in microalgae-based wastewater treatment and resource utilization, gaining extensive experience in microalgae cultivation, photobioreactor design optimization, operational debugging, and wastewater treatment by microalgae. He leads two projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, one special grant (In-Station) from China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, one project funded by the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province, one key project funded by Open Reasearch Fund for Jiangxi Academy of Water Science and Engineering, and two projects sponsored by other enterprises. In addition, he actively participates in over ten national and provincial projects as part of his research team. Dr. Qian has been honored with the Third Prize of the 5th Excellent Scientific Research Achievement Award of Colleges and Universities in Hainan Province (ranked 2nd) and published 14 SCI papers and one book chapter in international journals such as Bioresource Technology and Journal of Cleaner Production.
Han Sun, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Dr. Han Sun, a researcher with expertise in microalgal biotechnology, holds a Ph.D. in Energy and Resources Engineering from Peking University, a Master’s degree in Food Science from Ocean University of China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Jiangnan University.
Dr. Sun has authored nearly 40 SCI-indexed articles as the first or corresponding author, including four highly cited papers, achieving an H-index of over 20 and accumulating more than 2,000 citations. His research focuses on microalgal high-density fermentation, metabolic engineering, and the development of high-value applications for microalgae in functional foods and nutraceuticals.
Liangliang Fan, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Dr. Fan’s research focuses on various aspects of value-added processing and energy. His current interests are in the catalytic thermochemical conversion of solid waste (e.g., sludge, lignocellulosic biomass, algal biomass, plastic, etc.) into energy fuels, application of biochar and bio-oil, migration and transformation of N, P, and heavy metals during solid waste conversion.
Dr. Fan has published over 80 papers in top international journals, including Applied Energy, Chemical Engineering Journal, Energy Conversion and Management, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Bioresource Technology, Applied Energy, etc. He has received and participated in over 10 national projects funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China and International Cooperation Project, etc.
Dr. Fan has received the award “The top 2% of scientists in the worl” in 2022 and 2023 in the field of Energy. He has also won the second prize of Jiangxi Province Natural Science Award in 2023 and received “Ganpo Juncai Support Program - Major Discipline Academic and Technical Leader” in 2024. He was the secretary-general of the 4th International Conference on Biomass Solid Waste Energy and Environment in 2023.
Peilun Xu, Ph.D., Associate Professor
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Central South University and a Ph.D. in Engineering from Zhejiang University. He serves as the Deputy Director of the Department of Resource Science and Engineering at the College of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University, and is a Science and Technology Commissioner for Jiangxi Province.
His research focuses on the biological treatment and resource utilization of industrial flue gas, as well as microalgal carbon neutrality. He utilizes biotechnology to treat industrial flue gas, converting harmful emissions into high-value biomass products. His work also involves identifying the limiting environmental factors for large-scale microalgal carbon fixation, elucidating the mechanisms by which light quality affects microalgal carbon fixation efficiency, and designing novel photobioreactors. He has established a demonstration base for cultivating microalgae using real flue gas CO2 at a coal-fired power plant, significantly enhancing the efficiency of industrial microalgal carbon fixation. He has received one grant from the National Natural Science Foundation and has published over ten articles in leading international journals, such as Bioresource Technology and Journal of Hazardous Materials.
Yong Liu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
He obtained his master degree from Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, CAS (advisor: Professor Longlong Ma), Ph.D. from University of New Hampshire, USA, in 2020. His work focuses on heterogeneous catalysis and reaction mechanism, especially those related to environment and energy issues, including catalytic conversion of algal and cellulosic biomass, plastic waste, halogenated pollution to chemicals and fuels. He has published more than 30 papers.
Chunyang Ma, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
He received his PhD from the Harbin Institute of Technology, China, in 2018. Subsequently, he worked in the School of Advanced Manufacturing at Nanchang University. Postdoctoral Researcher at the NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore.
His research interests are on the light-radiative properties and scattering theories for particles (microalgae) and light propagation in water bodies. Paying special attention to the temporal and spatial dependence of the optical/radiative properties of microalgae in response to environmental changes, interactions between microalgal cell aggregates and incident light, and the multi-field synergies in photobioreactors.
Email: cyma@ncu.edu.cn, cymaphy@163.com
Zhiwei Liang, Ph.D., Assistant Researcher
He earned his doctorate in Environmental Engineering from Sun Yat-sen University and currently holds the position of Assistant Researcher at the Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, Nanchang University. His research focuses on environmental microbiomes, bacterial-algal interactions, and elemental cycling processes. As the first or co-first author, he has published seven SCI papers, primarily in high-impact journals such as PNAS and Global Change Biology. He has successfully led research projects funded by the National Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, in addition to contributing to several other funded research initiatives.
Jingjing Li, Ph. D., Assistant Researcher
My primary research directions are microalgae biotechnology and microalgae-based wastewater treatment. I have accumulated extensive experience in microalgae cultivation, design optimization of photobioreactors, operational commissioning, and microalgae-based wastewater treatment. Currently, I am leading one National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Regional Project and one General Program of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. I have also participated in multiple NSFC projects and provincial/ministerial-level projects as a key member of the research team. My current research focuses on microalgae biotechnology, microalgae-based wastewater treatment, and resource utilization. I have achieved certain scientific research accomplishments in the fields of microalgae biotechnology and wastewater treatment, having published over 20 research papers and obtained 8 national invention patents.
Jie Zheng, Ph.D., Assistant professor
I completed my Ph.D. in 2023 at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Postdoctoral Research Station for Environmental and Engineering at Nanchang University.
My research primarily focuses on lipid metabolism in eukaryotic microalgae, a field I have been deeply engaged in for many years. I have published 6 academic papers and have contributed to various research projects, including those investigating the regulation of astaxanthin biosynthesis in microalgae, the development of pharmaceutical single-cell eukaryotic microalgae strains, and the establishment of CO2-driven EPA synthesis microalgal factories in Nannochloropsis species.
Currently, my work is centred on the functional analysis of genes involved in lipid metabolism in Nannochloropsis oceanica, exploring the mechanisms of EPA biosynthesis, and engineering microalgal strains to improve production. The ultimate goal of my research is to enhance our understanding of microalgal biotechnology and contribute to the development of sustainable bio-based technologies for applications such as high-value chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and environmental remediation.
