Agro-Environment Testing and Inspection Center (AETIC)
Research Field
Prof. Shyi-Tien Chen is one of the faculty members in the Dept. of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering (SHE) and is the Head of the Agro-Environment Testing and Inspection Center (AETIC), National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST), who has been involved in the field of bio-molecular application in recycling and reuse of various media, including polluted wastewater of high-tech industries. His research includes (1) discovering the use of heme and metal-complexed catalysts in pollutant reduction, (2) employing molecular probes in detecting possible toxic substance degraders, (3) reusing and recycling valuable substances and water during the treatment processes of wastes or wastewater. Prof. Chen was the 2001 winner of a Fellowship Grant from the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, Inc. Japan, a frequent winner of the Excellent Researcher in both academic and industrial sectors since 2011, and the mentor of many student-winning awards, including three NSTC FITI (Top 40) and 7 MOE USTART competitions. His group also works with many industries and non-profit organizations for environment-related issues.
Currently (2023), Prof. Chen leads a research group comprising 4 PhDs, 5 MSs, and 5-10 undergrads. His lab is associated with the Agro-Environment Testing and Inspection Center (AETIC) in NKUST and is equipped with analytical instruments like GC-MS, ICP-AES, and FTIR for various kinds of substance and material analyses. Until now, His group has published seven books (including edited books and revised versions) and 32 SCI articles, won 15 Taiwan patents, and presented nearly 100 conference talks. Research areas cover nano-material search and applications, biotechnology and bioremediation, catalytic oxidation, and waste/water reuse and recycling, and some recently conducted NSTC projects include “Studying on a novel technology to remove gaseous BTEX and its unit construction (2022)”, “Treating dyeing wastewater using a novel nano-catalytic oxidative technology (2021)”, “Fate and toxin treatability of beetles at the presence of various pollutants (2020 and 2021)”, and “Study of bio-sludge reduction and reuse of the reduced sludge (2018)”.
Four leading research topics are conducted in our group, including:
(1) Nano-catalyst search and applications- finding of heme, EDTA-Fe, and other metal-chelated catalysts, and using them in oxidizing various pollutants like PCP, BTEX, TPHs, PAHs, pesticides, etc.
(2) Wastewater treatment and water recycling- photo-catalytic treatment, biological treatment unit design and efficiency enhancement, sludge reduction and reuse, manufacture of activated carbon using various materials
(3) Soil remediation- Reduction of POPs, in-situ bioremediation, Iron-based catalytic oxidation, bio-pellet development and application. Use of beetle as a bioreactor, use of blood as a substance for chemical and biological treatment, and
(4) Green technology- enzyme collection and preservation. Biomaterials as catalysts, blood-based bio-stimulants, water repellents, essential oils, plant extracts, and ingredient analysis, agro-waste recycles and reuses.
In general, Prof. Chen's group has won over 50 awards from various domestic and international competitions. Some are given as follows:
- Mentored three NSTC FITI (Top 40) and 7 MOE USTART winning groups
- Won the Oral Best Papers and served as a Section Chair in various international conference events
- Served as a reviewer in more than 5 SCI journals
- Frequently awarded as an excellent research grant funded by NSTC
- Won the 2001 Fellowship Grant The Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, Inc. Japan awarded.
- Ph.D. at Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept., University of Wisconsin-Madison
- MS at Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept., Utah State University.
- BS at Hydraulic Engineering Dept., National Cheng Kung University
2 Vacancies
Job Description
We are looking for someone familiar with chemistry and biology laboratory skills who can come to Taiwan for three months, around October to December of 2024. Candidates with the following skills are highly desired:
(1) DNA manipulation, including specific gene search and its working mechanism explanation
(2) biosynthetic knowledge about specific reaction pathways and their control molecule identification
(3) naturally available ingredients or secondary metabolite identification
Preferred Intern Education Level
College or Master students at age under 30 years old.
Skill sets or Qualities
Students who graduated from a chemistry- or biology-related department and have 3-6 months of related laboratory experience will be the best candidates. Also, English fluency is a must.
2 Vacancies
Job Description
Looking for someone, who is capable of doing waste recycling and reuse, and can stay in Taiwan for at least 3 months. Knowledge of carbon footprint and SDGs is a plus for the position.
Preferred Intern Education Level
College graduates from the Engineering related department. A master degree student also works.
Skill sets or Qualities
Students who graduated from a chemistry- or biology-related Department, and has 3-6 month of related laboratory experience will be the best candidate. Also, English fluency is a must.