Personal Information

Shao Shengxi

Distinguished Professor, Postgrad

uate SupervisorRecipient of Jiangxi Provincial High-Level Talent ProgramDiscipline Leader of Algal Biotechnology, Nanchang UniversityChief Scientist of Jiangxi Provincial Key Research and Development ProgramDeputy Director, Office of International Cooperation (temporary post)

Email: s.shao@ncu.edu.cn

Room 308B, Environmental Building, Qianhu Campus, Nanchang University

Educational Background

Oct. 2013 – Oct. 2017 Ph.D. in Molecular Biology (full scholarship), Imperial College London, UKOct. 2011 – Sep. 2012 MRes in Molecular Plant Biology and Biotechnology (with Distinction), Imperial College London, UKSep. 2006 – Jun. 2010 　B.Sc. in Biotechnology, Nanjing Agricultural University

Professional Experience

Apr. 2025 – PresentDeputy Director, Office of International Cooperation (temporary post), Nanchang UniversityApr. 2024 – Apr. 2025 Deputy Director, Office of Enrollment and Employment (temporary post), Nanchang UniversityOct. 2021 – PresentDistinguished Professor, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Nanchang UniversityOct. 2017 – Sep. 2021 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Imperial College London, UKOct. 2017 Consultant Scientist, CustoMem Ltd (now Puraffinity Ltd), UKMar. 2013 – Jul. 2013 Technician, Richard Roberts Institute of Biotechnology (Yixing)

Academic and Social Affiliation

       · Deputy Secretary-General of the Microalgae Branch of the China Algae Industry Association

· Member, Royal Society of Biology, UK

· Member, Biochemical Society, UK

· Member, International Society of Photosynthesis Research

· Member, Society of Experimental Biology (2017–2018)

Research Fields

· Photosynthesis mechanism and photo-damage repair

· Ecological control and resource utilization of algal blooms

· Adaptive evolution of microalgae and photobioreactor design

· Microalgal carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)

Research Overview

My research focuses on interdisciplinary studies combining environmental microbiology, data science and biological design.To date, I have been Principal Investigator of 1 Jiangxi Provincial Key Research and Development Program, 1 National Natural Science Foundation of China (Regional Fund), and 1 General Program of Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation, with a total research funding of more than 2.6 million RMB.I have been authorized 3 Chinese invention patents and have 4 patents under examination.

Courses Taught

· Environmental Ecology

· Introduction to Design

· Environmental Microbiology

· Frontiers of Resource Circulation Science

· Principles and Technology of Fermentation Engineering

· Algal Biotechnology (Bilingual)

Awards and Honors

· 2023　First “Excellent Teacher of Resources and Environment”, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Nanchang University

· 2023　First “Excellent Team of Resources and Environment” (Group Award), School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Nanchang University

· 2023　Bronze Award, 2nd National Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition

· 2021　Silver Award, 7th China International “Internet+” College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition

· 2020　Imperial College Techcelerate Award (one of the 10 key supported innovation projects of Imperial College London in the year)

· 2019　Second Prize, London Final, 14th “Chunhui Cup” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents (UK Region) & UK High-Level Talents Entrepreneurship Competition

· 2019　First Prize, Xi’an Final, Science & Technology Session of 2019 Eurasian Economic Forum & 12th CSSAUK High-Level Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition

· 2013　Full Ph.D. Scholarship, China Scholarship Council / Imperial College London

Representative Achievements

1. Zhang, J., Jin, R., Dong, L., Yu, C., Luo, W., Hu, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, W., Liu, J., Zhou, W., Shao Shengxi. Sticky or thrifty: Divergence in extracellular glycometabolic architecture underpins contrasting fungal bioflocculation strategies. Water Research, 2025, 285: 124126.

2. Yu, C., Zheng, J., Zhang, Y., Hu, Y., Luo, W., Zhang, J., Yu, J., Liu, J., Nixon, P. J., Zhou, W., Shao Shengxi. Towards sustainable spirulina farming: Enhancing productivity and biosafety with a salinity-biostimulants strategy. Bioresource Technology, 2025, 419: 132043.

3. Yu, C., Hu, Y., Zhang, Y., Luo, W., Zhang, J., Xu, P., Qian, J., Li, J., Yu, J., Liu, J., Zhou, W., Shao Shengxi. Concurrent enhancement of biomass production and phycocyanin content in salt-stressed Arthrospira platensis: A glycine betaine-supplementation approach. Chemosphere, 2024, 353: 141387.

4. Zhang, J., Li, Y., Shao, E., Chow, V., Li, J., Qian, J., Xu, P., Li, J., Song, H., Zhou, W., Shao Shengxi. Feasibility and constraints of edible fungi bio-flocculating microalgae. Algal Research, 2023, 70: 103004.

5. Trinugroho, J. P., Bečková, M., Shao Shengxi (equal contribution), Yu, J., Zhao, Z., Murray, J. W., Sobotka, R., Komenda, J., Nixon, P. J. Chlorophyll f synthesis by a modified photosystem II complex. Nature Plants, 2020, 6: 238–244.

6. Shao Shengxi, Yu, J., Nixon, P. J. Selective replacement of the damaged D1 reaction center subunit during the repair of the oxygen-evolving photosystem II complex. In: Barber J, Ruban AV, Nixon PJ, eds. Oxygen Production and Reduction in Artificial and Natural Systems. World Scientific, 2019: 319-338.

7. Cardona, T., Shao Shengxi, Nixon, P. J. Enhancing photosynthesis in plants: the light reactions. Essays in Biochemistry, 2018, 62: 85-94.

8. Shao Shengxi, Cardona, T., Nixon, P. J. Early emergence of the FtsH proteases involved in photosystem II repair. Photosynthetica, 2018, 56: 1-15.

9. Bečková, M., Yu, J., Krynická, V., Kozol, A., Shao Shengxi, Koník, P., Komenda, J., Murray, J. W., Nixon, P. J. Structure of Psb29/Thf1 and its association with the FtsH protease complex involved in photosystem II repair. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2017, 372(1730): 20160394.

10. Krynická, V., Shao Shengxi, Nixon, P. J., Komenda, J. Accessibility controls selective degradation of photosystem II subunits by FtsH protease. Nature Plants, 2015, 1: 15168.