Prof. Yan Zhang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by China Scientist

Prof. Yan Zhang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

College of Urban and Environmental Sciences | Northwest University | China

Prof. Yan Zhang is a highly accomplished environmental scientist whose research primarily focuses on water pollution, soil ecology, microplastic contamination, and the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and heavy metals. With an impressive record of 52 scientific publications, Prof. Zhang has made influential contributions to understanding the environmental behavior of pollutants and their interactions within aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Her works, published in leading journals such as Science of The Total Environment, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, and Land Degradation & Development, have significantly advanced the field of environmental monitoring and pollution assessment. Her studies have addressed critical environmental challenges in China, including nitrate pollution tracing using isotopic techniques, the ecological risks of microplastics, and the impact of land use and erosion processes on heavy metal distribution in the Loess Plateau. Prof. Zhang’s interdisciplinary approach bridges hydrology, ecology, and environmental chemistry, offering valuable insights for sustainable watershed and soil management. Her scholarly impact is reflected in a robust h-index of 21, supported by 2,361 citations from 2,153 documents, indicating the broad relevance and recognition of her research within the international scientific community. She has served as both first and corresponding author on numerous influential papers, several of which have been recognized as ESI Top 1% highly cited papers. Through her leadership in environmental research and her collaborative work with international experts, Prof. Yan Zhang continues to play a vital role in promoting scientific innovation, sustainability, and ecological resilience across global environmental systems.

Profile:  Scopus 

Featured Publications

Zhang, Y., Guan, M., Shi, P., Song, J., & Cui, L. (2025). Migration of microplastics in hyporheic zone sediments: Beiluo River, China. Environmental Earth Sciences,

Zhang, Y., Che, J., & Yang, L. (2025). Occurrence, environmental behavior, and co-pollution of microplastics with heavy metals in urban channelized rivers. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 11, 1797–1810.

Zhang, Y., Shi, P., & Cui, L. (2024). Microplastics in riverine systems: Recommendations for standardized sampling, separation, digestion and characterization. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 207, 116950.

Zhang, Y., Zhang, X., Bi, Z., Yu, Y., Shi, P., Ren, L., & Shan, Z. (2020). The impact of land use changes and erosion process on heavy metal distribution in the hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China. Science of The Total Environment, 718, 137305

Zhang, Y., Shi, P., Song, J., & Li, Q. (2019). Application of nitrogen and oxygen isotopes for source and fate identification of nitrate pollution in surface water: A review. Applied Sciences, 9(18), 3890.

Shasha Wang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by China Scientist

Mr. Shasha Wang | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award 

Shasha Wang is a marine scientist at the Key Laboratory of Marine Biogenetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of China. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering and technology from Huaqiao University and a master’s degree in fishery resources from the Ocean University of China. His research focuses on the energy metabolism, regulation, and survival strategies of dominant chemoautotrophic microorganisms in deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems. He has led and contributed to national research projects, published in leading journals, and is skilled in molecular biology, genomics, and microbial metabolic pathway analysis.

Mr. Shasha Wang | The Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources | China

Profile

SCOPUS

Education

  • Shasha Wang built a strong academic background in marine science and chemical engineering. He earned a doctoral degree in chemical engineering and technology from Huaqiao University in China. Before that, he obtained a master’s degree in fishery resources from the Ocean University of China. His academic training provided him with deep knowledge in marine biology, environmental microbiology, and biochemical processes, preparing him for advanced research in extreme marine environments.

Experience

  • Shasha Wang joined the Key Laboratory of Marine Biogenetic Resources at the Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of China, as a postdoctoral researcher. Since then, he has been actively engaged in investigating the energy metabolism and regulatory mechanisms of dominant chemoautotrophic microorganisms in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. He has taken on leadership roles in funded research projects, coordinated multidisciplinary studies, and collaborated with both national and international research teams in marine biotechnology.

Awards and Recognition

  • Shasha Wang has been honored through prestigious research funding, including support from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. His ability to secure competitive grants and contribute significantly to national research initiatives highlights his strong research capabilities and respected standing in the field of marine microbiology.

Skills and Expertise

  • He is skilled in microbial cultivation, biochemical assays, and molecular biology methodologies. His expertise includes transcriptome analysis, comparative genomics, and detailed investigations of microbial metabolic pathways. He is adept at designing experiments to explore microbial survival strategies in extreme environments and at interpreting complex biological data.

Research Focus 

  • Shasha Wang’s research is centered on understanding the metabolic regulation and survival strategies of dominant chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms in deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems. His studies explore multi-energy co-utilization mechanisms, desulfurization processes, and microbial adaptation to extreme marine conditions. This work contributes valuable insights to the fields of marine microbiology, environmental biotechnology, and deep-sea ecosystem science.

Publications

Enhanced Autotrophic Denitrification under Salinity Stress by Bioaugmentation of Sulfurimonas: Performance Evaluation, Microbial Community and Response Mechanisms

Authors: Liang Cui, Shasha Wang, Xiaxing Cao, Shicheng Chen, Jiannan Wang, Zhen Chen, Lijing Jiang, Xuezhe Wen, Wanpeng Wang, Qianqian Wang, Zhou Zhou, Suping Yang, Xuesong Yi, Yong Wang, Zongze Shao

Journal: Bioresource Technology

Ultrastructural Variation and Key ER Chaperones Response Induced by Heat Stress in Intestinal Cells of Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Authors: Shasha Wang, Yingqiu Zheng, Muyan Chen, Kenneth B Storey

Journal: Journal of Oceanology and Limnology

Elemental Sulfur Reduction by a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Campylobacterium Sulfurimonas sp. NW10

Authors: Shasha Wang, Lijing Jiang, Qitao Hu, Xuewen Liu, Suping Yang, Zongze Shao

Journal: Environmental Microbiology

Disproportionation of Inorganic Sulfur Compounds by Mesophilic Chemolithoautotrophic Campylobacterota

Authors: Shasha Wang, Lijing Jiang, Shaobin Xie, Karine Alain, Zhaodi Wang, Jun Wang, Delin Liu, Zongze Shao

Journal: mSystems

Transcriptome Analysis of Cyclooctasulfur Oxidation and Reduction by the Neutrophilic Chemolithoautotrophic Sulfurovum indicum from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Ecosystems

Authors: Shasha Wang, Lijing Jiang, Liang Cui, Karine Alain, Shaobin Xie, Zongze Shao

Journal: Antioxidants

Conclusion

  • With a strong educational foundation, extensive postdoctoral research experience, and proven leadership in funded projects, Shasha Wang has established himself as a capable and dedicated marine scientist. His expertise in microbial metabolism and adaptation in deep-sea environments not only advances scientific understanding but also provides potential applications for environmental management and marine resource utilization.