Prof. Ping HAN
Prof. Ping Han is an environmental microbiologist specializing in microbial processes within the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle. She earned her Ph.D. from The University of Hong Kong (2014) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Vienna, Austria. Before joining CityUHK, she was running a research group in Shanghai (established 2018).
Prof. Han played a key role in the landmark discovery of complete ammonia-oxidizing (comammox) Nitrospira bacteria. Her research has resulted in over 70 publications, featuring work in leading journals including Nature, Nature Communications, ISME Journal, Environmental Science & Technology, and Water Research. Her work has been cited more than 6,300 times (Google Scholar, June 2025), with an H-index of 33.
She has led and contributed to multiple research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, and National Key Research and Development Program of China. Prof. Han is an active member of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME), the European Geosciences Union (EGU), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She also served as Vice President of the 6th International Conference on Nitrification (ICoN6).
Research Interests
Microbial processes drive the global biogeochemical nitrogen cycle, underpinning essential ecosystem services. Key transformations like nitrification and anammox critically impact agricultural productivity, greenhouse gas emissions (especially N2O), wastewater treatment efficiency, coastal eutrophication, and overall ecosystem health. Understanding the microbes catalyzing these processes, their physiology, and their responses to environmental change is fundamental to addressing challenges in climate change mitigation, food security, water quality, and sustainable resource recovery.
Targeted research areas & applications of interest include:
- Fundamental Microbial Ecology & Physiology of Nitrogen Cycling
Discovery and characterization of novel microorganisms and metabolisms in diverse environments (marine, coastal, soil, Antarctic, engineered). - Response of Microbial Nitrogen Cycling to Environmental Stressors
Understanding impacts of climate change factors, microplastics, and emerging contaminants on nitrification, N2O production, and nitrogen flux, especially in coastal and marine systems. - Climate Change Mitigation
Elucidating microbial controls on greenhouse gas (N2O) production during nitrogen transformations. - Bioremediation & Wastewater Treatment
Developing and optimizing microbial processes (e.g., leveraging nitrifiers, anammox) for efficient nitrogen removal, pollutant biotransformation, and sustainable wastewater treatment.
| Office: | YEUNG-G5705 |
|---|---|
| Phone: | +(852)-3442-6069 |
| Fax: | +(852)-3442-0688 |
| Email: | pinghan@cityu.edu.hk |
- Fundamental Microbial Ecology & Physiology of Nitrogen Cycling
- Response of Microbial Nitrogen Cycling to Environmental Stressors
- Climate Change Mitigation
- Bioremediation & Wastewater Treatment