Professor Qiang HU specializes in phycology and microalgal biotechnology. His research encompasses:

1. Microalgal cell and molecular biology, focusing on the biosynthesis and regulatory mechanisms of lipids and carotenoids in microalgae.

2. Bioprospecting and genetic improvement of microalgae of commercial interest, such as high-value carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, and polysaccharides.

3. The design of next-generation large-scale photobioreactors/fermenters and advanced cultivation processes using intelligent microscopic imaging and multimodal cellular and molecular feature analysis.

4. The development of microalgal biotechnology for the food, feed, chemicals, and cosmetics industries, as well as for waste stream (e.g., wastewaters and flue gases) treatment and resource utilization.

Professor Qiang HU is currently a Chair Professor and the Head of the Engineering Biology Department at the Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology. He also serves as a Guest Researcher at the Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is a recipient of the National Distinguished Expert title. He served as President of the International Society for Applied Phycology (ISAP) from 2019 to 2024 and is currently the outgoing President of ISAP for the term 2024–2027. Professor Hu has been recognized on the "Global Top 2% Scientists List" and the "Lifetime Scientific Impact Ranking".

Educational Background

1991.05–1996.02: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel - Ph.D. in Algal Biotechnology

1985.09–1988.07: Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences - Master’s in Hydrobiology

1978.09–1982.07: Hubei University - Bachelor’s in Biology

Professional Experience

2022.04–Present: Chair Professor and Head of the Engineering Biology Department, Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology

2022.04–Present: Guest Researcher, Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2020.01–2022.04: Distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University

2013.07–2020.05: Director, SDIC Microalgae Biotechnology Center, State Development and Investment Group Co., LTD. (SDIC)

2013.07–2020.05: Director, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microalgal Biomass

2013.07–2019.12: Distinguished Researcher and Director of the Research Center for Algal Biotechnology and Biofuel, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

1998.04–2013.07: Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, and Professor, Arizona State University, USA

1996.03–1998.03: Postdoctoral Fellow, Marine Biotechnology Institute, Japan

International Influence

Professor Hu was a tenured professor at Arizona State University. He served as President-Elect (2018–2020), President (2021–2024), and Past President (2025–2027) of the International Society for Applied Phycology and is listed in the "Global Top 2% Scientists List" and the "Lifetime Scientific Impact Ranking".

Awards and Honors (International/Domestic or Field-Specific)

1. During his tenure at Arizona State University, he led the research on algal biofuel technology, which was ranked 11th in Time Magazine's "Top 50 Best Inventions of 2008" and was recognized as one of the "Five Technologies That Could Change the World" by The Wall Street Journal in 2009.

2. Established the SDIC Microalgae Biotechnology Research Center, which was awarded:

• "Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base" and "Beijing Key Laboratory of Microalgae Biomass" by the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission in 2014.

• Recognized as "Most Beautiful Innovation Team" by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and Xinhua News Agency in 2015.

• Named "Microalgae Bioenergy Innovation Team" by the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council in 2017.

3. Received the "Advanced Worker of the SDIC" award (State Development and Investment Group Co., LTD., 2015) and the "Outstanding Innovation Talent Award" (SASAC, 2017).

4. Featured as "The Most Beautiful Scientist on Camera" by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2017 (documentary: "Qiang Hu: Unleashing the Potential of Single-Cell Microalgae").

Research Projects

• Secured over 340 million RMB in research funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province, Department of Education of Guangdong Province, and the State Development and Investment Group Co., LTD.

Representative Publications

• Published over 160 research papers and reviews in authoritative international SCI journals. (Google Scholar citations: over 24000; H-index: 72).

Patents

• Holds over 80 authorized invention patents, with multiple research outcomes industrialized, generating significant economic benefits.