Prof. Carol LIN

Education

Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Materials Engineering, First Class Honours, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.

PhD, Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Manchester (formerly UMIST), England.
Title of PhD thesis: “Succinic acid production from low-cost sustainable raw materials using green processing strategies”
Supervisor: Professor Colin Webb
 

Editorial Board

• Editor in Green and Sustainable Science and Engineering Section, Chemical Engineering Journal (Elsevier) (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/chemical-engineering-journal/about/editorial-board)
• Senior Editor, Sustainable Environment (https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=editorialBoard&journalCode=oaes20)
• Associate Editor of Biochemical Engineering Journal (Elsevier) (https://www.journals.elsevier.com/biochemical-engineering-journal/editorial-board)
• Editorial Board member of Sustainable Energy & Fuels (https://www.rsc.org/journals-books-databases/about-journals/sustainable-energy-fuels/editorial-board-members/#se_lin)
• Editorial Board member of Open Agriculture
• Scientific Advisory Board member of Waste and Biomass Valorization (Springer)
• Advisory Board member of Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy (Elsevier) (https://www.journals.elsevier.com/sustainable-chemistry-and-pharmacy/editorial-board)

Guest Editors

• Guest Editor, Green Chemistry, Themed Issue: Green Biorefinery Technologies based on Waste Biomass (Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC); IF: 11.034) https://pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/articlecollectionlanding?sercode=gc&themeid=f5de8e11-9b67-446a-b514-8354456d4d00
• Guest Editor, Journal of Hazardous Materials, S.I.: Sustainable Engineering (Elsevier; IF: 14.224) 
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-hazardous-materials/special-issue/10LT2MD1R5J
• Guest Editor, Journal of Hazardous Materials, S.I.: Global environmental hazard and mitigation (Elsevier; IF: 14.224) 
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-hazardous-materials/special-issue/107VPPQP4C8
• Guest editor, Bioresource Technology, S.I.: Bioresource Technology: Special Issue on Waste-to-Resources: Opportunities and Challenges [WROC-2019] (Elsevier; IF: 11.889) 
  https://www.journals.elsevier.com/bioresource-technology/call-for-papers/special-issue-on-waste-to-resources-opportunities
• Lead Guest Editor, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, S.I.: 17th Congress of Asian-Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering (Elsevier; IF: 7.926) https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/process-safety-and-environmental-protection/special-issue/10PSN3CFK79
• Guest Editor, Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, S.I.: Bioresources and Biochemicals / Biofuels and Bioenergy (Elsevier; IF: 8.843) https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/current-opinion-in-green-and-sustainable-chemistry/vol/14/suppl/C
• Lead Guest Editor, Topics in Current Chemistry Collections, S.I.: Chemistry and Chemical Technologies in Waste Valorization (Springer; IF: 8.905) https://www.springer.com/series/14181
• Guest Editor, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, S.I.: Design of Efficient Bioprocesses Involving Monocultures and Novel Microbial Consortia for Efficient Lignocellulose Conversion to Biofuels and Green Solvents (Frontier, IF: 6.064) https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/13740/design-of-efficient-bioprocesses-involving-monocultures-and-novel-microbial-consortia-for-efficient
• Guest Editor, Sustainable Chemistry, S.I.: Sustainable (Bio)Chemical Processes for Lignocellulosic and Lipid Waste Biomass Valorization to Fuels, Chemicals and Materials (MDPI) 
  https://www.mdpi.com/journal/suschem/special_issues/lignocellulosic_and_lipid_waste
• Guest Editor, ChemSusChem, Special Issue: Chemical Upcycling of Waste Plastics (Wiley; IF: 9.140) https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1002/(ISSN)1864-564x.Chemical-Upcycling-Waste-Plastics
• Guest Editor, Froniter in Chemical Engineering, S.I.: Biomass Utilization with Chemical and Biochemical Processes https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/17693/biomass-utilization-with-chemical-and-biochemical-processes?utm_source=F-RTM&utm_medium=TED1&utm_campaign=PRD_TED1_T1_RT-TITLE
• Guest Editor, Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Special Issue on Urban Waste Valorization for a Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy – UWVSCB-2021 https://www.journals.elsevier.com/case-studies-in-chemical-and-environmental-engineering/call-for-papers/special-issue-on-urban-waste-valorization
• Guest Editor, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Special Issue on Bioproduction of Valuable Compounds from Food By-Products, Residues and Algae Biomass as Growth Substrates 
  https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/25267/bioproduction-of-valuable-compounds-from-food-by-products-residues-and-algae-biomass-as-growth-subst

Research Interests

There is a growing demand to establish biotechnology-based processes for material, chemical and fuel production which can decrease our dependency on dwindling oil reserves and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These novel bioprocesses are incorporated into biorefineries, which are integral units converting different renewable-derived feedstocks into a range of useful products as diverse as those from petroleum using environmentally friendly technologies. A number of agricultural-based biorefinery processes have been developed and realised at commercial scale since the past decade. At the same time there are growing concerns over organic waste generation and insufficient resource supply due to the ever-increasing global population and the cradle-to-grave system of material flows in the linear economy.

Therefore, the research in our team aimed at valorising organic waste materials through bioconversion processes to recover their inherent nutrients for transformation into value-added products. Waste-based biorefinery not only provides a means for waste treatment, but also promotes the development of a circular economy by valorising wastes into high-value products. As part of this goal, the recent projects conducted in our group mainly focused on the development of integrated biorefinery strategies to valorise food and textile wastes. Due to the different characteristics of the waste materials, the bio-processes were specifically designed and demonstrated in laboratory- and pilot-scales, accompanied with techno-economic assessment for evaluation of technical and economic feasibility.

Positions Available

PhD Student Opportunities (2025/26)

We are currently recruiting talented and motivated students interested in pursuing PhD study in the interdisciplinary area of waste and biomass valorisation, which encompasses biocatalysis, fermentation and downstream processing. The candidates should hold a bachelor or master degree in areas such as microbiology, biochemical engineering, green chemistry, environmental engineering/science or related disciplines. Applicants with experience in enzyme technology and/or fermentation are especially welcome. Interested applicants should consider applying for the prestigious Hong Kong PhD Fellowship. Details can be found here.

Interested applicants should send your CV to Prof. Carol Lin at <carollin@cityu.edu.hk> to discuss further.

City University of Hong Kong was ranked #62 in the World University Rankings, #15 in Asia, and #4 among the world's top 50 universities under the age of 50 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) survey.

August 9, 2024
 

Postdoctoral Fellow Opportunities

Our research group is currently recruiting Postdoctoral Fellows who have expertise in the following areas:

1. Waste and Biomass Valorisation
2. Green and Sustainable Science and Engineering
3. Synthetic Biology

The successful candidates will participate in new projects related to biobased chemicals, materials and fuels.

Candidates should have a recent Ph.D. in Biosciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Engineering. Proficient oral and written communication skills in English and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team are essential.

To apply please submit your CV to Prof. Carol Lin at <carollin@cityu.edu.hk>. Review of applications will begin immediately and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Salary offered will be highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Contract duration is for one year and can be renewed subject to performance. For more information, please contact Prof. Carol Lin via email.

City University of Hong Kong was ranked #62 in the World University Rankings, #15 in Asia, and #4 among the world's top 50 universities under the age of 50 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) survey.

August 9, 2024

City University of Hong Kong is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to the principle of diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, especially applicants who will enhance the diversity of our staff.

Videos

Textile Waste Recycling Using a Biological Method

Innovative green technology capable of recycling mixed textile waste developed by a researcher from the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and her research team has won a Gold Medal at the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva.

Conversion of food waste into polylactic acid fibre (PLA)

Conversion of food waste into polylactic acid fibre (PLA) - Gold medal with jury's commendation of the 44 International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva This is a novel biological process using food waste as the raw material to produce PLA fibre. The technology uses a fermentation process to yield lactic acid. This is then polymerized and spun into fibre. PLA is biodegradable and so the final textile product will degrade to H₂O and CO₂ after its useful life.

From Leftover Food to Fashion Apparel

Novel bioprocess for recycling textile waste
創新生物優化技術將紡織廢料循環再用

List of Selected Publications

1. Mou, J.-H., Yan, W., Qin, Z.-H., Haque, M.A., Miao, Y.-H., Xin, F.-X., Wang, X., Fickers, P., Lin, C.S.K.* 2024. Food waste from various origins as feedstocks for recombinant protein production by Yarrowia lipolytica using in situ fibrous bed bioreactor. Chemical Engineering Journal, 481, 148408.
2. Wang, X., He, G.-H., Wang, Z.-Y., Xu, H.-Y., Mou, J.-H., Qin, Z.-H., Lin, C.S.K.*, Yang, W.-D., Zhang, Y., Li, H.-Y. 2024. Purple acid phosphatase promoted hydrolysis of organophosphate pesticides in microalgae. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, 18, 100318.
3. Bank, M.S.*, Mitrano, D.M., Rillig, M.C., Lin, C.S.K., Ok, Y.S. 2022. Embrace complexity to understand microplastic pollution. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 3(11), 736-737.
4. Li, C., Ong, K.L., Yang, X., Lin*, C.S.K. 2019. Bio-refinery of waste streams for green and efficient succinic acid production by engineered Yarrowia lipolytica without pH control. Chemical Engineering Journal, 371, 804-812.
5. Hu, Y., Du, C., Leu, S.Y., Jing, H., Li, X., Lin, C.S.K.* 2018. Valorisation of textile waste by fungal solid state fermentation: An example of circular waste-based biorefinery. Resources, Conservation & Recycling. 129, 27-35.
6. Kwan, T.H., Hu, Y., Lin, C.S.K.* 2018. Techno-economic analysis of a food waste valorisation process for lactic acid, lactide and poly(lactic acid) production. Journal of Cleaner Production. 181, 72-87.
7. Yang, X., Wang, H., Li, C., Lin, C.S.K.* 2017. Restoring of Glucose Metabolism of an engineered Yarrowia lipolytica for Succinic Acid Production via a Simple and Efficient Adaptive Evolution Strategy. 2017. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 65(20), 4133-4139.
8. Kwan, T.H., Hu, Y., Lin, C.S.K.* 2016. Valorisation of food waste via fungal hydrolysis and lactic acid fermentation with Lactobacillus casei Shirota. Bioresource Technology. 217, 129-136.
9. Koutinas, A.A., Pleissner, D., Vlysidis, A., Kopsahelis, N., Lopez Garciac, I., Kookosd, I., Papanikolaou, S., Kwan, T.H., Lin, C.S.K.* 2014. Valorization of industrial waste and by-product streams via fermentation for the production of chemicals and biopolymers, Chemical Society Reviews. 43(8), 2587-2627. (Invited review)
10. Pleissner, D., Lam, W.C., Sun, Z., Lin, C.S.K.* 2013. Food waste as nutrient source in heterotrophic microalgae cultivation. Bioresource Technology, 137, 139-146.
11. Zhang, A.Y.-z., Sun, Z., Leung, C.C.J., Han, W., Lau, K.Y., Li, M., Lin, C.S.K.* 2013. Valorisation of bakery waste for succinic acid production. Green Chemistry, 15(3), 690-695.
12. Lin, C.S.K., Pfaltzgraff, L.A., Herrero-Davila, L., Mubofu, E.B., Abderrahim, S., Clark, J.H.*, Koutinas, A.A., Kopsahelis, N., Stamatelatou, K., Dickson, F., Thankappan, S., Mohamed, Z., Brocklesby, R., Luque, R.* 2013. Food waste as a valuable resource for the production of chemicals, materials and fuels. Current situation and global perspective. Energy & Environmental Science, 6(2), 426-464.

Books

Lin, C. S. K., and Luque, R. (2014) Renewable Resources and Biorefineries, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, United Kingdom. DOI: 10.1039/ 9781782622918 http://blogs.rsc.org/books/2014/09/03/new-books-in-the-rsc-green-chemistry-series/
Luque, R., Lin, C.S.K., Wilson, K., Clark, J.H. (2016). Handbook of Biofuels Production: Processes and Technologies. Second ed. Elsevier Science and Technology Books. http://store.elsevier.com/product.jsp?isbn=9780081004555&pagename=search http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780081004555
Lin, C.S.K., Li, C., Kaur, G., Yang, X. (2020) Waste Valorisation: Waste streams in a circular economy. Renewable Resource Series. John Wiley & Sons Limited, Chichester, United Kingdom.  https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Waste+Valorisation:+Waste+Streams+in+a+Circular+Economy-p-9781119502708
Luque, R., Lin, C.S.K., Wilson, K., Du, C. (2023). Handbook of Biofuels Production: Processes and Technologies. 3rd Edition ed. Elsevier. https://www.elsevier.com/books/handbook-of-biofuels-production/luque/978-0-323-91193-1

Book chapters

• Mou, J., Li, C., Yang, X., Kaur, G., Lin, C.S.K. 2020. Overview of waste valorization concepts from a circular economy perspective in: Waste Valorisation: Waste streams in a circular economy. Renewable Resource Series, (Eds.) C.S.K. Lin, G. Kaur, C. Li, X. Yang, John Wiley & Sons Limited. Chichester, United Kingdom.
• Patria, R.D., Li, X., Wang, H., Du, C., Lin, C.S.K., Kaur, G. 2020. Circular waste-based biorefinery development. in: Waste Valorisation: Waste streams in a circular economy. Renewable Resource Series, (Eds.) C.S.K. Lin, G. Kaur, C. Li, X. Yang, John Wiley & Sons Limited. Chichester, United Kingdom.
• Ong, K.L., Fickers, P., Pang, K.W., Dharma, P.R., Luk, H.S., Uisan, K., Lin, C.S.K. 2020. Fermentation of fruit and vegetable wastes for biobased products. Second ed. in: Food Industry Wastes, (Eds.) M. Kosseva, C. Webb, Elsevier.
• Lin, C.S.K., Ashokkumar, M., Kaur, G., Li, C., Li, X., Ong, K.L., Pleissner, D. 2020. Food Waste and Manure. in: Handbook on Characterization of Biomass, Biowaste and Related By-products, (Ed.) A. Nzihou, Springer International Publishing. Cham, pp. 899-938.
• Wang, H., Gao, S., Li, C., Ong, K.L., Li, X., Yang, X., Lin, C.S.K. 2019. Bio-Feedstocks. 3rd edition ed. in: Comprehensive Biotechnology, (Eds.) C. Webb, M. Moo-Young, Elseiver. United Kingdom. pp. 167-173.
• Aude, P., Yang, X., Kwan, T.H., Christoforou, E., Fokaides, P., Lin*, C.S.K. 2017. Techno-economic study and environmental assessment of food waste based biorefinery. In: Food Waste Reduction and Valorisation, (Eds.) M. Piergiuseppe, P. Franka, T. Valentina Elena, Springer International Publishing. UK, pp.121-146.
• Arancon, R.A., Lin, C.S.K., Chan, K.M., Kwan, T.H., Luque, R. 2016. Advances on Waste Valorization: New Horizons for a More Sustainable Society: Policy and Planning for a Sustainable Society. in: Solid Waste Management, (Ed.) E. Rada, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. Canada, pp. 37-77.
• Du, C., Zhao, X., Liu, D., Lin, C.S.K., Wilson, K., Luque, R., Clark, J. 2016. 1 - Introduction: An overview of biofuels and production technologies. in: Handbook of Biofuels Production (Second Edition), Woodhead Publishing, pp. 3-12.
• Melikoglu, M., Singh, V., Leu, S.Y., Webb, C., Lin, C.S.K. 2016. 9 - Biochemical production of bioalcohols. in: Handbook of Biofuels Production (Second Edition), Woodhead Publishing, pp. 237-258.
• Lam, W.C., Pleissner, D., Lin*, C.S.K. 2016. Production of fungal glucoamylase for glucose production from food waste. in: Solid Waste as a Renewable Resource: Methodologies, (Eds.) J.A.F. Albanes, M.P. Ruiz, Apple Academic Press, Inc. Oakville, Canada.
• Lam, W.C., Kwan, T.H., Lin*, C.S.K. 2015. Enzymes for valorization of food and beverage wastes. in: Enzymes in Food and Beverage Processing, (Ed.) C. Sekaran, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, pp. 479-501.
• Kwan, TH, Lin, C.S.K, Chan, KM. 2014. Application of Food Waste Valorization Technology in Hong Kong Renewable Resources for Biorefineries Cambridge, United Kingdom: Royal Society of Chemistry; p. 93 - 116.
• Lam, W.C., Kwan, T.H., Budarin, V.L., Mubofu, E.B., Fan, J., Lin, C.S.K.* 2014. Pretreatment and Thermochemical and Biological Processing of Biomass. Introduction to Chemicals from Biomass, John Wiley & Sons. 3: 53-83.
• Lam W.C. and Lin, C.S.K.*, 2014. Food Waste Valorisation for High Value Chemicals and Energy Production. Green Technologies for the Environment, American Chemical Society. 1186: 187-202.
• Koutinas, A., Lin, C.S.K, Du, C., Webb, C., 2014. Whole-crop biorefinery  in: Wang, L. (Ed.), Sustainable Bioenergy Production. CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, Greensboro, USA.
• Koutinas, A., Du, C., Lin, C.S.K., Webb, C., 2014. Cereal-based biorefineries, in: Waldron, K.W. (Ed.), Advances in biorefineries: Biomass and waste supply chain exploitation   Woodhead Publishing Limited. 303-334.
• Martelli, S.M., Lin, C.S.K., Sun, Z., Berezin, N., Fakhouri, F.M., Innocentini-Mei, L.H. 2013. Natural Rubber Blends with Biopolymers. in: Rubber Based Materials: Volume 1 Blends and IPNS, Vol. 1. Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). (in press), 2013. Natural Rubber Blends with Biopolymers, in: Thomas, S., Chan, C., Pothen, L., Rajisha, K.R., Hanna, M., (Eds.), Natural Rubber Materials - Blends and IPNs. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
• Caona, T., Berezina, N., Lin, C.S.K., Fakhouri, F.M., Martelli, S.M. 2013. Polyhydroxyalkanoates and their potential in controlled-release drug delivery systems – biomedical applications and factors affecting the drug release. in: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): Biosynthesis, Industrial Production and Applications in Medicine NOVA Publishers.

Patent

Lin, Carol Sze Ki, and Zhi Quan Lin. "System and Method of Producing Glucoamylases and/or Proteases." U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. City University of Hong Kong, 2015. US Patent Publication no. US-2015-0322394-A1.  November 12, 2015

Pleissner, D., Lin, C.S.K. 2016. MEDIUM, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CULTIVATION OF CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSA OR ORGANISMS DERIVED FROM CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSA, (I.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  City University of Hong Kong, 2016. US Patent Publication no. US-2016-0068799-A1. March 10, 2016

Kwan, T.H., Ming, Y.H., Lin, C.S.K. 2017. Utilisation of remaining solids from hydrolysis of food and beverage waste as insect feed (應用廚餘及飲料水解副產物為昆蟲飼料). Hong Kong. 17101289.9

Hu, Y., Lin, C.S.K., Leu, S.-Y., Jing, H., Yeung, C.S. 2018. Improved Textile Waste Processing, (Ed.) T.H.K.R.I.o.T.a.A. Limited, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited. USA. Patent Application No. 15/886,018.  February 1, 2018

Conference Papers

• Du, C., Lin, S.K.C., Clark, J. and Webb, C., 2007, Platform chemical production from wheat-based biorefining strategy, Journal of Biotechnology, 131(2, Supplement 1): S145.
• Webb, C., Koutinas, A.A., Du, C., Wang, R., Xu, Y., Lin, S.K.C., Luque, R. and Clark, J.H., 2006, Development of Cereal-Based Biorefineries for the Production of Biodegradable Plastics and Platform Chemicals, 2006 AIChE Annual Meeting Conference Proceeding, San Francisco, California, USA.

Current Research Projects

• Waste Valorization for the Manufacture of Sustainable Chemicals, Materials and Fuels. CityU Start-up Grant for New Faculty. Project No. 7200248, Aug 2011 – July 2013. PI
• Development of a Multi-enzyme Solution for the Valorisation of Industrial Food Co-products and Organic Food Waste from Cafeteria.   Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). Project No. 9440084 (ITS/323/11), March 2012 – August 2013. PI
• Sustainable biorefinery concept based on microalgal biomass produced from mixed food waste hydrolysate. Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). Project No. 9440096 (ITS/353/12), June 2013-November 2014. PI
• Metabolic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for the simultaneous production of succinic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates. Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), Early Career Scheme (ECS). Project No. 9042001, September 2013-August 2016. PI
  In collaboration with Prof. Qingsheng Qi, State Key Lab of Microbial Biotechnology School of life Science, Shandong University
• Conversion of Food Waste into Polylactic acid Fibre.   Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textile and Appeals (HKRITA) (ITP/002/14TP), Project No. 9444001, March 2014-February 2016.  PI
  In collaboration with Dr. Walid Dauod (SEE), Dr. Fei Bin (Institute of Textile and Clothings, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
  This project was awarded with Golden Medal with Jury’s Commendation in Geneva Invention Exhibition 2016
• Bioconversion of Food Waste for Bio-Colorant Production. CityU Applied Research Grant (ARG) 2013-14. Project No. 9667101, April 2014-March 2015. PI
  In collaboration with Dr. Apostolis Koutinas (Agricultural University of Athens, Greece)
• Bioconversion of Food and Beverage Waste to High Value-added Product.   Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) (ITP/087/15FP), October 2015 – September 2017.  PI
  In collaboration with Dr. Hendrik Waegeman (Business Development Manager, Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Ghent, Belgium)
• Ensuring sustainable use of agricultural waste, co-products and by-products.  European Commission Horizon 2020 (WASTE-7-2015), 2016 – 2019.  Members of consortium;
  Workpackage 4: Eco-design of innovative cascading agro-waste conversion into molecules and materials
  In collaboration with Prof. Eric Dubreucq (INRA/Université Montpellier, France)
• Textile Waste Recycling by Biological Method. Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textile and Appeals (HKRITA) (ITP/109/15TP), March 2016-March 2018.  PI
  In collaboration with Dr. Ben LEU (Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University )and Dr. Chenyu Du (Reader in Chemical Engineering, University of Huddersfield, UK)
  This project was awarded with Golden Medal in Geneva Invention Exhibition 2018.
• Bioconversion of Food Waste to Biosurfactant. CityU Applied Research Grant (ARG) 2016-17. Project No. 9667156, June 2017-May 2019. PI
  In collaboration with Prof. Dr. ir. Wim Soetaert (Centre of Expertise for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis), Faculty of Bio-Science Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium
• International Thematic Network on Green Chemistry.  GREEN-CHEM: Towards small footprint solutions, Ghent University, Belgium, 2017-2021,  Co-PI
  This project is led by Prof. Dr. ir. Christian Stevens, SynBioC Research Group, Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium. A total of 9 International partners are participated in this project.
• Bioconversion of Textile Waste to Succinic acid. CityU Applied Research Grant (ARG) 2017-18. Project No. 9667167, May 2018-April 2020. PI
  In collaboration with Prof. Yong Sik Ok, Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University
• Novel radial gradient in-situ FiBrous Bed (RadGrad isFBB) reactors with cellulose hydrogels. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  Global Grand Challenges, Round 22. New Approaches for Manufacturing Gut Microbial Biotherapeutics. Project No. 9231343. May 1, 2019 – October 31, 2020. PI
  In collaboration with Dr. Srinivas Mettu, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
• Textile Waste Recycling by Biological Method (Phase 2).   Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textile and Appeals (HKRITA) (ITP/002/19TP), March 2019-March 2021.  External Consultant
• Biosynthesis of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids by Yarrowia lipolytica Fermentation Based on Biosynthetic Pathway of Oleaginous Microalgae Hong Kong Branch of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), January 1, 2021-December 31, 2022. PI
• Reducing transmission of novel coronavirus and other infectious diseases using food waste-derived medical textiles via electrospinning for healthcare apparel and personal protective equipment, Collaborative Research Grant (CRF), Research Grant Council (RGC), June 1, 2021-November 30, 2024. PI
• Development of One-step Food Waste Biorefinery via Novel Bioreactor Design, Functional Stain Adaptive Laboratory Evolution and Genetic Engineering, European Union (EU)-Hong Kong Research and Innovation Cooperation Co-funding Mechanism by the Research Grants Council (RGC), December 1, 2021-November 30, 2024. PI
• Dual regulation of light and carbon source facilitate sustainable micro-algae-based wastewater treatment for remediating high-concentration emerging pollutants, General Research Fund (GRF), January 1, 2024-December 31, 2026. PI

Awards and Distinctions

Service to Professional & Scientific Bodies, Consultancies, Membership of Professional & Learned Societies

• External reviewer for research proposals:
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
  • The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)
  • The Technology Foundation STW, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation
  • Environmental Conservation Fund (ECF), Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong Baptist University Faculty Research Grant
  • National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore
  • The Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Belgium
  • KU Leuven Impulse Council, Belgium
  • International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
  • German Federal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF) for funding initiative "Taylor-made bio-based ingredients for a competitive bioeconomy"
  • Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the University of Guelph (UofG), Canada (OMAFRA-UofG Research Program)
  • Fondazione Cariplo and Innovhub Stazioni Sperimentali per l’Industria (hereinafter ‘Innovhub SSI’, a special agency of Milan’s Chamber of Commerce engaged in research, Italy) for ‘Bioeconomy and Industrial Biotechnology Integrated Research Projects – 2017’
  • National Science Centre, Poland
• Affiliated member of the Environmental Chemistry Division in the American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Member of the Academic Conduct Committee, City University of Hong Kong (February 1, 2015-January 31, 2017)
• Member of the Academic Review Committee, City University of Hong Kong (September 1, 2013-August 31, 2017)
• Organizer for the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Environmental Science (ENVR)’s 100th anniversary symposium ‘Recent Development of Environmental Chemistry in Asia’ the 248th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, August 10-14, 2014
• Scientific committee member for Biorefinery for Food, Feed and Materials 2015, Montpellier, France, June 15-17, 2015 http://www.bffm2015-congress.eu/
• Scientific committee member for Asia-Pacific Conference on Biotechnology for Waste Conversion (BIOWCHK) 2016, Hong Kong Baptist University, December 6-8, 2016 https://arcpe.hkbu.edu.hk/conf2016/pagectr?p=2
• Scientific committee member for the 2^nd Green and Sustainable Chemistry conference, Hotel Intercontinental Berlin, Germany, May 14-17, 2017 http://www.greensuschemconf.com/
• Scientific committee member for the 2nd International Conference on Biological Waste as Resource 2017 (BWR2017), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, May 25-28, 2017 bwr2017.com
• Scientific committee member for ATHENS 2017 5th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management, Athens, Greece, June 21-24, 2017 http://www.athens2017.uest.gr/
• Organising committee member and Scientific committee member for Asia Pacific Conference of Chemical Engineering (APCChE 2017), Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, August 23-27, 2017.
• International organisation committee member for 2nd International Conference on Bioresources, Energy, Environment, and Materials Technology (BEEM2018), Daemyung Resort, Gangwon-do, Korea, June 10-12, 2018 http://www.beem2018.org/sub02_05.php
• Scientific committee member for 6th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management, Naxos Island, Greece, June 13–16, 2018
• Scientific committee member for WasteEng2018, the 7^th International Conference on Engineering for Waste and Biomass Valorisation, Prague, Czech Republic, July 2-5, 2018
• Local Organising Committee, The 3^rd International Conference on Biological Waste as Resource 2018 (BWR2018): Organic Waste for Energy Recovery, Environmental Remediation, and Sustainable Waste Management, The Education University of Hong Kong, December 17-19, 2018
• Member of the Cost Action TD1203on Food waste valorisation for sustainable chemicals, materials & fuels (EUBis) http://costeubis.org/
• Member of the COST Action FP1306 on “Valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass side streams for sustainable production of chemicals, materials & fuels using low environmental impact technologies’ http://www.costfp1306.com/
• Member of the G2C2 Green Chemistry network http://g2c2.greenchemistrynetwork.org/
• External reviewer for European Commission (EC) Horizon 2020 project