Xiaying Xin PhD

My research projects help to address the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

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I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. My research focuses on water and wastewater treatment strategies, environmental impact assessment, and risk management. My research activities are interdisciplinary and have commonalities with the fields of environmental and chemical engineering, environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, and microbiology. My expertise lies in advanced oxidation process, biodegradation, biofiltration, and bubble technology. I am fascinated by the treatment of toxic bacteria, algae, biotoxins, antibiotic resistant bacteria/genes, and emerging contaminants (e.g. pharmaceuticals and personal care products, flame retardants, microplastics). My expertise also lies in Synchrotron Radiation and the associated techniques to solve a variety of challenges in analytical chemistry.

Previously, I worked as a postdoctoral fellow in Memorial University of Newfoundland (201910-202106). Prior to my arrival at Queen’s University, I worked as a research assistant professor at State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and the School of Energy and Environment in the City University of Hong Kong (202109-202208). 

I obtained my PhD degree in environmental system engineering at the University of Regina in Regina, Canada. I received my BSc in Environmental Science from Yangzhou University, China. 

My research is primarily focused on:

• Water and Wastewater Treatment
• Harmful Algal Bloom
• Emerging Contaminants
• Environmental Impact Assessment and Risk Management
• Synchrotron Radiation-based Techniques and Environmental Applications

1. Please find my publications here: Google Scholar Page

   
   Selected Publications

   • Xin, B. Chen, B. Péquin, P. Songd, M. Yang, X. Song, B. Zhang, Binary Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers to Arctic Cyanobacteria under Ambient and Future Climates. Water Research, 119188 (2022).
   • Xin, B. Chen, M. Yang, S. Gao, H. Wang, W. Gu, X. Li, and B. Zhang. A critical review on the interaction of polymer particles and co-existing contaminants: adsorption mechanism, exposure factors, effects on plankton species. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 130463 (2022).
   • Xin, Literature Review on Membrane Biofouling Occurring in MBR and Its Related Technologies for Greywater or Wastewater Treatment. Journal of Environmental Informatics Letters, 7, 1 (2022).
   • Kang, S. Xing, X. Xin (co-first author), B. Chen, Y. Chen, X. Ye, B. Zhang. Machine Learning­­–Aided Causal Inference Framework for Environmental Data Analysis: A COVID-19 Case Study. Environmental Science and Technology, 55,19 (2021): 13400-13410.
   • Xin, G. Huang, D. Halstead, K. Gaetz, L. Benmerrouche, J. Huang, Y. Wu, J. Zhang, N. Wang, Y. Fu. "The Optimization of Canola Crop Production through Wheat Residue Management within a Western Canadian Context—A Case Study of Saint-Front, Saskatchewan." Sustainability 13, 18 (2021): 10459.
   • Xin, G. Huang, B. Zhang, Y. Zhou. Trophic transfer potential of nTiO2, nZnO, and triclosan in an algae-algae eating fish food chain. Aquatic Toxicology, 235 (2021): 105824.
   • Xin, G. Huang, B. Zhang. Review of Aquatic Toxicity of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products to Algae, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 410 (2021): 124619.
   • Xin, G. Huang, C. An. C. Lu. Exploring the biophysicochemical alteration of green alga Asterococcus superbusinteractively affected by TiO₂-P25, nano-ZnO, and triclosan and illumination, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 398 (2020): 122855.
   • Xin, G. Huang, C. An, & R. Feng. Interactive Toxicity of Triclosan and Nano-TiO2 to Green Alga Eremosphaera viridisin Lake Erie: A new perspective based on Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy and synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging. Environmental Science & Technology, 53, 16 (2019): 9884-9894.
   • Xin, G. Huang, C. An, H. Weger, G. Cheng, J. Shen, S. Rosendahl. Analyzing biochemical alteration of green algae during chronic exposure to triclosan based on synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy. Analytical Chemistry, 91, 12 (2019): 7798-7806.
   • Xin, G. Huang, C. An, R. Raina-Fulton, and H. Weger, Insights into long-term toxicity of triclosan to freshwater green algae in Lake Erie, Environmental Science and Technology, 53, 4 (2019): 2189-2198.
   • Xin, G. Huang, C. An, C. Huang, H. Weger, S. Zhao, Y. Zhou, S. Rosendahl. Insights into the toxicity of triclosan to green microalga Chlorococcumsp. using synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy: biophysiological analyses and roles of environmental factors. Environmental Science and Technology, 52, 4 (2018): 2295-2306.
   • Xin, G. Huang, X. Liu, C. An, Y. Yao, H. Weger, P. Zhang, and X. Chen. Molecular toxicity of triclosan and carbamazepine to green algae Chlorococcumsp.: a single cell view using synchrotron Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy. Environmental Pollution, 226 (2017): 12-20.
   • Xin, G. Huang, X. Zhou, W. Sun, C. Jin, W. Jiang, S. Zhao. Potential antifouling compounds with antidiatom adhesion activities from the sponge-associated bacteria, Bacillus pumilus. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 31, 9 (2017): 1028-1043.
   • X. Xin, G. Huang, W. Sun, Y. Zhou, Y. Fan. FTIM: A factorial two-stage irrigation systems optimization model. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 142.2, (2015): 04015056.
   
   

I am always looking for talented and motivated students to help address the current challenges of water/wastewater treatment!

There are openings for graduate students with background in environmental engineering/science, environmental chemistry, chemical engineering, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, or related disciplines.   

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, CV, and transcripts to x.xin@queensu.ca.