Lu Zhang, Ph.D. Candidate at Peking University, Seeking a Postdoctoral Position

LU ZHANG, Peking University

     Abstract Number: 678
     Working Group: Meet the Job Seekers

Abstract
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Peking University in Beijing, China in Prof. Maosheng Yao’s group. My doctoral research focuses on particulate matter (PM) components and associated toxicity at a national scale.

Current control standard of PM is solely based on mass levels, failing to consider their toxicity differences. My work has shown that particulate toxicity difference in the 31 major Chinese cities was up to 6.5 times partially arising from differences in both biological and chemical components. To further understand the health effects of PM with different compositions, a non-invasive protocol was explored by detecting exhaled VOCs. My work has showed changes in the release of VOC fingerprints both from human and eukaryotic model Saccharomyces cerevisiae after different PM exposure. Combined with proteomics and transcriptomics, the mechanism of VOC release changes at the cellular level is being explored. My work has enhanced the understanding of PM components and toxicity and developed a novel method for rapid in vivo monitoring human health impacts of PM exposure based on exhaled VOCs.

I have accumulated extensive experiences and research skills through my doctoral studies, such as programming languages (Python, R, MATLAB), machining learning models, microbiological and biochemical assays, toxicological analysis, etc. These studies resulted in my 3 first-author peer-reviewed papers and 2 first-author articles under review in top journals of the field, including Environmental Science & Technology and Environment International. Additionally, I have also been awarded the PKU President Scholarship, the highest honor for a graduate student at PKU.

I am now seeking a postdoctoral position that will allow me to further explore and contribute to the field of environmental and aerosol sciences. I am open to opportunities globally and possess no geographical limitations.

Preferred start date: Summer/Fall 2024
Contact: luzhang-ivy@pku.edu.cn