Assoc Prof Dr. Jin Qian | Environmental Science | Editorial Board Member

Associate Professor | Northwestern Polytechnical University | China

Jin Qian is an Associate Researcher at Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China, whose work focuses on advanced environmental catalysis, water and wastewater treatment, and sustainable energy–environment systems, as reflected by his Scopus profile showing 67 indexed publications, more than 2,549 citations across 2,127 citing documents, and an h-index of 31, indicating both productivity and sustained scholarly impact. His recent research emphasizes catalytic oxidation processes, antibiotic degradation, sulfur-driven and thiosulfate-mediated denitrification, and carbon-based functional materials for environmental remediation. In 2025 alone, he contributed to multiple high-impact studies, including dual-metal-catalyzed Fenton-like reactions on CdₓZn₁₋ₓS@biochar for efficient water purification in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, and the development of phosphorus-strengthened nickel single-atom catalysts enabling selective nonradical generation in Advanced Functional Materials, highlighting his strong integration of materials science with environmental engineering. His work in Bioresource Technology explores microbial responses to antibiotics such as norfloxacin in sulfur-based denitrification systems and the use of iron–carbon enhanced constructed wetland microbial fuel cells for simultaneous wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation, demonstrating a systems-level approach that bridges microbiology, electrochemistry, and process engineering. Additionally, his comprehensive review on carbon-based material additives for enhancing anaerobic digestion performance reflects his broader commitment to sustainable energy recovery from waste streams. Collectively, Jin Qian’s research advances mechanistic understanding of pollutant transformation, catalytic reaction pathways, and microbe–material interactions, while also offering scalable technological solutions for water purification, antibiotic resistance mitigation, and low-carbon energy production, positioning him as a rising contributor to the fields of environmental catalysis and sustainable environmental engineering.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Qian, J., et al. (2025). Dual-metal-catalyzed Fenton-like reaction on CdxZn1–xS@biochar: Mechanistic insights into sulfide–metal interactions for water purification. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental.
Qian, J., et al. (2025). Insights into norfloxacin biodegradation and the fate of antibiotic resistance genes associated with sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification. Chemical Engineering Journal.
Qian, J., et al. (2025). Iron–carbon enhanced constructed wetland microbial fuel cells for tetracycline wastewater treatment: Efficacy, power generation, and the role of iron–carbon. Bioresource Technology.
Qian, J., et al. (2025). Mechanistic insights into microbial and functional responses to norfloxacin in a thiosulfate-mediated denitrification granular sludge system. Bioresource Technology.
Qian, J., et al. (2025). “P-strengthening strategy” of nickel single-atom catalyst with boosting selective generation of nonradicals: Synergy of metal center and substrate. Advanced Functional Materials.

Jin Qian’s research advances the fundamental understanding and practical application of environmental catalysis, microbial wastewater treatment, and sustainable energy systems. His work provides innovative solutions for water purification, antibiotic resistance mitigation, and low-carbon energy recovery, bridging scientific discovery with societal and industrial impact on a global scale.

Dr. Manhattan Lebrun | soil fertility | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral researcher at Université Marie et Louis Pasteur, France

Dr. Manhattan Lebrun is a French environmental scientist specializing in soil remediation and phytomanagement. he holds a PhD in Biosciences and Territory from the University of Molise, Italy. With extensive postdoctoral experience across Europe, including France, Czech Republic, and Italy, he currently serves as a postdoctoral researcher at Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté. His research integrates soil biogeochemistry, phytoremediation, and biochar technology, addressing contamination from heavy metals and enhancing soil fertility through sustainable methods. Dr. Lebrun is a prolific author with 52 peer-reviewed publications, a reviewer for leading environmental journals, and a guest editor for special issues on soil pollution. He is actively involved in student mentoring, teaching in both French and English, and contributing to scientific communities through editorial work and international conferences. His interdisciplinary approach combines field studies, molecular biology, and ecoengineering to develop innovative strategies for contaminated land rehabilitation 🌱🧪🌍.

Publication Profile

ORCID

Scopus

Education

Dr. Lebrun’s educational foundation is rooted in environmental sciences and biology. He earned his Bachelor’s (2011–2014) and Master’s (2014–2016) degrees from the University of Orléans, France, specializing in the biology of organisms, populations, and ecosystems. His passion for sustainable land management led him to pursue a PhD (2016–2020) in Biosciences and Territory at the University of Molise, Italy. His doctoral research focused on biogeochemical and microbiological processes in the rhizosphere of Salicaceae, particularly their role in the phytostabilization of contaminated technosols. A highlight of his PhD was a six-month fellowship at Ghent University, Belgium, where he deepened his expertise in soil chemistry and microbial ecology. His education combined rigorous academic coursework with extensive laboratory and field internships, preparing him for a dynamic research career focused on eco-restoration and soil remediation 🌿📘🧫.

Professional Experience

Dr. Lebrun has built a robust career in postdoctoral research across top European institutions. Since January 2024, he has been at CHRONO-ENVIRONMENT, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, working on the HORIZON H2020 EDAPHOS project to evaluate nature-based solutions for soil restoration. Previously, at the Czech University of Life Sciences, he led research on biochar and manure’s role in enhancing soil fertility and mitigating metal(loid) dynamics. At INRAE Versailles-Grignon, he investigated biochar-compost interactions under drought stress in alfalfa. His earlier roles at Université d’Orléans focused on activated carbon and biochar applications for soil detoxification and plant productivity. Dr. Lebrun’s expertise spans soil amendments, microbial dynamics, nutrient cycling, and environmental geochemistry. His ability to integrate laboratory, greenhouse, and field-scale experiments makes him a valuable asset in interdisciplinary environmental science 🧑‍🔬🌍🧫.

Research Interest

Dr. Lebrun’s research bridges soil science, environmental biotechnology, and plant physiology, with a strong focus on soil remediation and phytoremediation. His central interest lies in nature-based solutions to restore contaminated ecosystems, particularly through the use of biochar, compost, and microbial inoculants. He explores how these amendments influence the bioavailability of toxic metal(loid)s (like As, Pb, Zn) and support plant growth under stress. His work often involves multi-scale approaches—from molecular analysis of plant and microbial responses to large-scale field trials. A recurring theme is understanding the role of the rhizosphere in mediating soil-plant-microbe interactions. He also investigates the long-term ecological impacts of amendments on nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. Through collaboration with agronomists, microbiologists, and chemists, his research supports sustainable land-use practices, particularly in post-industrial or mining-impacted regions 🧬🌾🧱.

Award and Honors

Dr. Manhattan Lebrun has been recognized for his impactful research and academic contributions. He has served as a Guest Editor for high-impact journals such as Plants and Environments, focusing on topics like heavy metal pollution and soil remediation. As a Review Editor for Frontiers in Soil Sciences, he contributes to advancing knowledge in environmental pollution and sustainable land management. His scientific work has garnered over 600 citations, reflecting his influence in the field. Notably, his dedication to mentorship is evident in the numerous students he has guided at bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels across France and the Czech Republic. He has been an invited speaker and session convener at major international conferences like SUITMA11 (Berlin), where he shared innovations in soil amendment strategies. These accolades underscore his commitment to excellence and leadership in environmental science 🥇📚🌍.

Skills

Dr. Lebrun possesses a multidisciplinary skill set encompassing soil chemistry, plant ecophysiology, microbiology, and environmental geochemistry. He is proficient in techniques like ICP-OES/MS, GC-MS, spectroscopy, chromatography, molecular biology (DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR), and enzymatic assays. His fieldwork expertise includes soil sampling, amendment trials, and phytoremediation assessments across various ecosystems. He excels in data analysis using R and statistical tools to model environmental processes. His teaching experience spans undergraduate to postgraduate levels, covering soil science, environmental chemistry, and experimental biology. He has a strong command of both French and English, contributing to international publications and academic discourse. Editorially, he reviews for top-tier journals and organizes special issues. His project management capabilities shine through collaborative research on European projects (H2020, GACR, FUI). These skills are bolstered by a passion for sustainability, mentoring, and scientific communication 🧑‍🏫💻🌱.

Top Noted Publication

Biochar Characteristics and Pb²⁺/Zn²⁺ Sorption Capacities: The Role of Feedstock Variation