Cao Ying - Industrial wastewater treatment - Best Researcher Award
Zhengzhou University - China
AUTHOR PROFILE
SCOPUS
🧬 SUMMARY
CAO YING is an emerging environmental scientist and geochemist, currently serving as a Lecturer at the School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University. With a solid academic foundation and a passion for addressing ecological and geochemical challenges, her work has contributed to understanding and mitigating heavy metal pollution through microbial and geochemical approaches. Her research spans environmental science, earth sciences, and pollution remediation, with involvement in several national-level scientific projects. Her publications and project roles illustrate an interdisciplinary approach, combining fundamental science with real-world applications in ecological protection, sustainable development, and the remediation of contaminated mining sites.
🎓 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS
CAO YING began her academic journey in 2011 at the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), majoring in Geology. Her curiosity for Earth's systems led her to pursue a Master’s in Geology at the State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology. During this period, she developed a strong interest in environmental geochemistry, setting the stage for advanced interdisciplinary research. Her early participation in fieldwork and academic conferences enriched her practical and theoretical understanding. Her academic achievements and awards, such as the Outstanding Graduate honor in 2018, underscored her strong scholarly foundation and dedication to scientific excellence.
🏞️ PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Following her master's studies, CAO YING joined the Second Geological Brigade under the Henan Nonferrous Metals Geology and Mineral Resources Bureau, where she applied her skills to real-world environmental assessments. Between 2018 and 2020, she contributed to projects on ecological protection and restoration across Henan Province. In 2020, she began her PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering at the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), focusing on advanced pollution remediation techniques. As of September 2024, she transitioned to a lecturer role at Zhengzhou University, where she integrates research, teaching, and policy-relevant environmental science to drive innovation and sustainability.
🔬 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS
Her research primarily addresses the microbial geochemical mechanisms of pollution remediation in non-ferrous metal mining areas. She has played key roles in national R&D plans and NSF-funded projects, focusing on bioremediation technologies and Fenton-based catalytic systems. Through innovative use of waste materials and chemical processes, she explores sustainable solutions for heavy metal and organic pollutant degradation. Her papers detail advanced degradation pathways of toxic substances such as BPA and salicylhydroxamic acid. CAO YING’s work aims to bridge the gap between environmental chemistry and practical engineering applications in contaminated soil and water remediation.
🏅 ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION
CAO YING’s excellence has been consistently recognized through prestigious awards. These include the Henan Nonferrous Metals Geology Bureau Science and Technology Special Award (2020) and multiple honors from China University of Geosciences, such as the Third Prize in the Science and Technology Paper Report Conference (2017) and Outstanding Graduate recognition (2018). She also served as an Outstanding Volunteer during the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Science and Technology Innovation Achievements Tour in 2019. These accolades highlight both her scientific contributions and commitment to community engagement in promoting science and sustainability.
🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
Her work impacts both scientific research and environmental policy. By contributing to provincial standards like the “Supervision Specification for Ecological Protection and Restoration,” she has helped shape best practices in ecological conservation. Her active participation in field-based projects and collaboration with government bodies ensures that her research translates into tangible improvements in environmental management. Moreover, her interdisciplinary approach has fostered collaboration across microbiology, geology, and environmental engineering, positioning her as a young thought leader in remediation science and sustainability efforts within China’s mining-impacted regions.
PUBLICATION
Degradation of aniline via microbial treated post Fe(II) or Co(II)/PMS advanced oxidation processes
Authors: Junjie Zhu, Jun Yao, Ying Cao, Wancheng Pang, Jianli Liu, and others (total six authors)
Journal: Separation and Purification Technology
Publication Date: November 2024 (appeared online ahead of print, cited as 2025) ablesci.com
Combined modified montmorillonite and microbial consortium enhanced the remediation effect of As and Cd‑contaminated soil in a smelting area
Authors: Chenchen Zhao, Jun Yao, Tatjana Šolević Knudsen, Wenkai Hu, Ying Cao (total five authors)
Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume/Article: Volume 501: Article 145329
Publication Date: March 2025
🔮 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
Looking ahead, CAO YING aims to expand the frontiers of environmental geochemistry by exploring smart biotechnological interventions for site-specific pollution challenges. As a lecturer, she also seeks to mentor the next generation of environmental scientists, promoting innovation and ecological responsibility. Her ongoing projects, including a major National Natural Science Foundation key initiative, will likely lead to breakthroughs in multi-pollutant remediation. Through continued publication, collaboration, and education, she is committed to leaving a legacy defined by sustainable development, scientific rigor, and actionable environmental change in both regional and global contexts.