Associate Professor School of Environmental Science and Engineering
Guomao Zheng is an Associate Professor (Principal Investigator) at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). He is a recipient of the National High-Level Overseas Talent Program and a member of the Shenzhen “Peacock” Young Talent Team.
His research focuses on environmental analytical chemistry, with long-term efforts devoted to developing mass-spectrometry-based targeted and non-targeted analytical methods for emerging contaminants. His work systematically investigates the environmental fate and transport of these contaminants, human exposure levels, and the identification of key metabolic intermediates responsible for toxicity in humans.
Dr. Zheng has published nearly 60 SCI-indexed papers, including 26 as first or corresponding author, in leading journals such as PNAS and Environmental Science & Technology. His publications include three highly cited papers and one hot paper. His research has received extensive international media coverage by outlets including CNN, The Guardian, Yahoo, and Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN). A bioaccumulation prediction model developed by his group has been adopted by the Department of Pollution Prevention and Control of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment for chemical management. His research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human breast milk provided direct scientific evidence that contributed to Washington State becoming the first U.S. state to enact comprehensive PFAS bans through executive legislation.
He has received several prestigious awards, including the ES&T Letters Excellence in Review Awards (2024), the International Society of Exposure Science Best Paper Award (2022), the Environmental Science & Technology Best Paper Award (2023 and 2021), the Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation Award of Peking University (2018), and the First Prize of the Tang Xiaoyan Environmental Science Innovation Award (2018). He has served as Principal Investigator for projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (General and Young Investigator Programs) and the Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation.
Dr. Zheng serves on the Associate Editor of Frontiers in Environmental Science, the Early Career Editorial Boards of Journal of Hazardous Materials and Hygiene and Environmental Health Advances, and is a committee member of the Emerging Contaminants Governance Professional Committee of the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences, as well as the Standardization Committee of the Guangdong Society for Environmental Sciences.
His research group is in a phase of rapid growth and provides close mentoring to each member. The group actively seeks highly motivated students with strong research interests. Currently, 1–2 postdoctoral researchers are being recruited. The group also welcomes visiting students, research assistants, and applications from prospective M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. Undergraduate students are encouraged to join for laboratory training or thesis projects.
Contact: zhenggm@sustech.edu.cn
Personal Profile
Professional Experience:
2022-now, Associate Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology, China
2021-2022, Assistant Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology, China
2018-2021, Postdoctoral Associate, Indiana University, USA
Education:
2012-2018, Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry, Peking University, China
2008-2012, B.S. in Environmental Science, Sun-Yet-Sen University, China
Research
1. Nontarget screening of emerging contaminants
2. Environmental fate of emerging contaminants
3. Human exposure
4. Metabolic toxicity
5. High-resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomics
Teaching
《Environmental Mass Spectrometry》
《Environment and Health》
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Selected Publications
- Zheng, G., Webster, T., Salamova, A., Quaternary ammonium compounds: Bioaccumulation potentials in humans and levels in blood before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Environmental Science & Technology, 2021, 55, 14689–14698.
- Zheng, G.; Schreder, E.; Jennifer, D.; Nancy, U.; Valerie, C.; Gabe, A.; Sheela, S.; Salamova, A., Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in breast milk: Concerning trends for current-use PFAS. Environmental Science & Technology, 2021, 55, 11, 7510–7520.
- Zheng, G., and Salamova, A., Are melamine and its derivatives the alternatives for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) fabric treatments in infant clothes? Environmental Science & Technology 2020, 54, 10207–10216.
- Zheng, G.; Wan, Y.; Shi, S. N.; Zhao, H. Q.; Gao, S. X.; Zhang, S. Y.; An, L. H.; Zhang, Z. B., Trophodynamics of emerging brominated flame retardants in the aquatic food web of Lake Taihu: Relationship with organism metabolism across trophic levels. Environmental Science & Technology 2018, 52, 4632-4640.
- Ashrap, P.#; Zheng, G. # (contribute equally); Wan, Y.; Li, T.; Hu, W. X.; Li, W. J.; Zhang, H.; Zhang, Z. B.; Hu, J. Y., Discovery of a widespread metabolic pathway within and among phenolic xenobiotics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2017, 114, 6062-6067.
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Join us
Current Openings:
Postdoctoral Researchers: The group plans to recruit 1-2 postdoctoral researchers.
Visiting Students and Research Assistants: There are ongoing opportunities for visiting students and research assistants.
Graduate Students: The group welcomes students interested in pursuing Master's or Ph.D. degrees.
Undergraduate Students: Undergraduate students are also encouraged to join the group for experimental skill training or to work on their graduation projects.
Contact Information:
Students and researchers interested in these opportunities can reach out via email at zhenggm@sustech.edu.cn for more information and to express their interest.
Recruitment Announcement for Postdoctoral Researchers in the Environmental Exposure Research Group of Zheng Guomao at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology:
Research Focus:
Exposure and health effects of new pollutants
Identification of unknown pollutants
Metabolism pathway studies
Position Availability:
The recruitment is ongoing and will continue until positions are filled.
Position Requirements:
Passion for scientific research and adherence to academic ethics.
Possession or imminent acquisition of a Ph.D. degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology, or related fields from domestic or foreign universities.
Familiarity with mass spectrometry analysis techniques; experience in cell and animal experiments is preferred.
Job Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the group leader to formulate research plans; independently conduct research projects and publish high-quality academic papers.
Assist in funding applications for the group, including applying for postdoctoral science funds, NSFC Young Scientists Fund, and other national, provincial, and municipal projects.
Assist the group leader in supervising Ph.D., master's, and undergraduate students; contribute to group construction and management.
Benefits and Compensation:
Two-year appointment with a starting annual salary of 330,000 RMB, including living subsidies from Guangdong Province (150,000 RMB) and Shenzhen City (60,000 RMB), social insurance, and housing fund. Postdoctoral welfare is provided according to faculty standards.
Exceptional candidates may apply for the President's Excellence Postdoctoral Fellowship with an annual salary exceeding 500,000 RMB (including provincial and city subsidies).
Eligibility to apply for Shenzhen public rental housing; or a pre-tax housing subsidy of 2,800 RMB/month for two years for those not using public rental housing.
Access to a favorable working environment, international collaboration opportunities, and academic exchange funds totaling 25,000 RMB over two years.
Assistance in applying for the "Guangdong Province Overseas Young Doctoral Postdoctoral Introduction Project." Successful applicants will receive a living subsidy of 600,000 RMB from the provincial finance (in addition to the annual 60,000 RMB from Shenzhen City).
Postdoctoral researchers choosing to stay in Shenzhen for research and signing contracts with local enterprises for over three years can apply for Shenzhen postdoctoral research support, receiving an annual research subsidy of 100,000 RMB for three years.
Application Process:
The group provides necessary administrative and experimental support to ensure effective research time. Applicants interested in this opportunity should send their CV to zhenggm@sustech.edu.cn with the subject line "Name + Postdoctoral Application."
Contact Us
Contact Address
Office Phone
zhenggm@sustech.edu.cn