Dr. Yang Yu has broad research and teaching experience in microbiology, biotechnology, genetic engineering, biofuels and environmental engineering. His post-doctoral study was in biorefinery, Ph.D. in microbiology, and master’s degrees in both biotechnology and environmental engineering. He majored in environmental sciences as an undergraduate. His work and research in both university and industrial settings contributed greatly to his wide range of knowledge and skills in microbiology and biotechnology.

After many years of practical experience in research and application, Dr. Yu turned his interest to teaching. He taught many different courses, such as Microbiology, Genetics, Pathogenic Bacteriology and Environmental Biotechnology, at Mt. St. Vincent University and Lakehead University in Canada before joining the Department of Biology at Hope College in 2023. At Hope, Dr. Yu currently teaches General Microbiology and Biology of Microorganisms.

Areas of Expertise

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Bioprocess development
• Waste recycling and wastewater treatment
• Biofuels

Education

• Ph.D., microbiology, Heriot-Watt University (Scotland)
• M.Phil., biotechnology, Murdoch University (Australia)
• M.Eng., environmental engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (China)
• B.S., environmental sciences, Shanxi University (China)

Selected Recent Publications

• “Radial Growth of Polymeric Fe/S Rods for Improving Removal of Cu/Zn from Real Electroplating Wastewater” (with D. X. Liang et al.), Materials Today Communications, 2023
• “Conversion of Fe-bearing Minerals in Sludge to Nanorod Erdite for Real Electroplating Wastewater Treatment: Comparative Study between Ferrihydrite, Hematite, Magnetite, and Troilite” (with Y. Huo et al.), Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021
• “Recycling of Groundwater Treatment Sludge to Prepare Nano-rod Erdite Particles for Tetracycline Adsorption” (with Z. Qu et al.), Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020
• “Effects of Washing, Autoclaving, and Surfactants on the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Negatively Valued Paper Mill Sludge for Sugar production” (with S. Y. Zhu et al.), Energy Fuels, 2019
• “Influence of Proteins on Transport of Ferrihydrite Particles Formed during Recharge of Groundwater Containing Fe with Reclaimed Water” (with S. Y. Zhu et al.), Water, 2018.
• “Detoxification of Hemicellulose-rich Hydrolysates by Polymeric Resins for Improved Ethanol Fermentability” (with L. P. Christopher), Fuel, 2017

Outside the College

In his spare time, Dr. Yu enjoys traveling, hiking, biking and running. He likes to meet different people and understand different cultures all over the world.