It is with great pleasure that we share the news of Mr. Chen ZHAO being awarded the prestigious Steven Ying PhD Research Award. This year, only two candidates received this esteemed honour.
Mr. Zhao is a dedicated and innovative PhD candidate currently in his third year at the Department of Ocean Science at HKUST under the supervision of Prof. Ding HE. He is an awardee of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) as well. His research has significantly bolstered his scientific career.
His notable research projects include:
- Anthropogenic Impacts on Coastal Environments: Mr. Zhao's work has revealed how nutrient-rich coastal bays exhibit less recalcitrant DOM, suggesting that higher nutrient concentrations may hinder the efficiency of the microbial carbon pump. His findings emphasize the need for coordinated land and ocean management to enhance marine carbon sequestration.
- Data Science Applications: Mr. Zhao has developed data-driven approaches to bridge molecular-level insights with broader marine environmental processes. His research applies machine learning models to predict organic molecule reactivity and model the temporal dynamics of organic matter. These findings complement traditional approaches and contribute to improved understanding of ocean carbon cycling in the context of global change.
Mr. Zhao has also showcased his work at several international conferences, including the Goldschmidt conference and AGU annual meeting, and received the Best Poster Award at two national-level conferences in China. Additionally, he serves as a reviewer for the well-recognized Environmental Science & Technology journal.
About the Award
The Steven Ying PhD Research Award (應琦泓先生博士生傑出研究奬) recognizes and rewards PhD students who have demonstrated outstanding research performance and achievements in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Energy Technology, Green Technology, and related disciplines.
Congratulations to Mr. Zhao on this well-deserved recognition! This achievement reflects the commitment of our department to excellence in research, and we look forward to their continued contributions to our understanding of marine carbon cycling and environmental science.
Please join us in celebrating this significant achievement!
