Chu, Kung-Hui
individual record
Associate Professor
Positions:
- Faculty Affiliate, Energy Institute
- Professor, Civil Engineering, College of Engineering
overview
Our research interests are in enhancing our understanding of microbial-mediated processes in natural and engineered systems, and in application and development of biotechnology to address various environmental challenges in water, soils, and energy. The Chu lab applies molecular biology, isotopic techniques, chemical analysis, and phage biology to study environmental and biological systems, with focuses on (i) microbial ecology, fate and transport, biodegradation of environmental pollutants such as emerging contaminants and persistent organic pollutants, (ii) production of biofuels and bioproducts from renewable resources, and (iii) detection, tracking, and quantification of microorganisms that play roles in water quality, bioremediation, carbon sequestration and nitrogen cycle in the environment. Other research areas include development and application of novel sorbents and catalysts (bio and non-bio) for removing and/or monitoring emerging environmental pollutants.
education and training
selected publications
Academic Articles145
- Wu, Y., Yang, S., Hwangbo, M., & Chu, K. (2019). Analysis of Zobellella denitrificans ZD1 draft genome: Genes and gene clusters responsible for high polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from glycerol under saline conditions and its CRISPR-Cas system. PLoS ONE. 14(9), e0222143-e0222143.
- Shao, Y., Hatzinger, P. B., Streger, S. H., Rezes, R. T., & Chu, K. (2019). Evaluation of methanotrophic bacterial communities capable of biodegrading trichloroethene (TCE) in acidic aquifers. BIODEGRADATION. 30(2-3), 173-190.
- Hwangbo, M., Claycomb, E. C., Liu, Y., Alivio, T., Banerjee, S., & Chu, K. (2019). Effectiveness of zinc oxide-assisted photocatalysis for concerned constituents in reclaimed wastewater: 1,4-Dioxane, trihalomethanes, antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Science of The Total Environment. 649, 1189-1197.
- Hwangbo, M., Claycomb, E. C., Liu, Y., Alivio, T., Banerjee, S., & Chu, K. (2019). Effectiveness of zinc oxide-assisted photocatalysis for concerned constituents in reclaimed wastewater: 1,4-Dioxane, trihalomethanes, antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) (vol 649, pg 1189, 2019). Science of The Total Environment. 655, 1515-1515.
- Hwangbo, M., Tran, J. L., & Chu, K. (2019). Effective one-step saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass using magnetite-biocatalysts containing saccharifying enzymes. Science of The Total Environment. 647, 806-813.
Conference Papers20
- Liu, Y., Pavia, A., Walsh, G., Kuo, L., Chu, K., Yang, S., ... Knap, A. (2019). Distribution of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) in Galveston Bay, TX. ACS Photonics. 257,
- Chen, C., Yang, S., Martinez, K., Liu, Y., Wade, T., & Chu, K. (2018). Accumulation and toxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluoroalkyl alternatives on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and terrestrial plants. ACS Photonics. 256,
- Chen, C., Lei, S., & Chu, K. (2018). Biodegradation potential of 1,4-dioxane in high salinity environment. ACS Photonics. 256,
- Shi, Y., & Chu, K. (2018). Biotransformation of 6: 2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6: 2 FtS) under sulfur-limiting condition. ACS Photonics. 256,
- Hwangbo, M., Tran, J., & Chu, K. (2018). One-step enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic biomass using immobilized cellulase and xylanase. ACS Photonics. 256,
Reports1
- Deeb, R. A., Nishino, S., Spain, J., Hu, H. Y., Scow, K., & Alvarez-Cohen, L. (2000). MTBE and benzene biodegradation by a bacterial isolate via two independent monooxygenase-initiated pathways. ACS Division of Environmental Chemistry, Preprints. 280-282.
teaching activities
- CVEN301 Environmental Engr Instructor
- CVEN406 Env Protect Pub Health Instructor
- CVEN485 Directed Studies Instructor
- CVEN491 Hnr-research Instructor
- CVEN491 Research Instructor
chaired theses and dissertations
- Tran, Janessa Le (2016-12). One-Pot Enzymatic Treatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass for Bioenergy Production. (Master's Thesis)
- Abada, Bilal Saad Azeez (2016-12). Degradation of Poly- and Per-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) Using Photocatalyst Zinc Oxide. (Master's Thesis)
- Hand, Steven (2015-08). Bacteriophage Facilitated Extraction of Polyhydroxylalkanoates Produced by Pseudomonas oleovorans Grown on Synthetic Crude Glycerol. (Master's Thesis)
- Cho, Kun-Ching (2013-12). Application of Stable Isotope Probing to Identify RDX-degrading Bacteria in Groundwater. (Doctoral Dissertation)
- Kim, Myung Hee 1982- (2012-12). Factors Affecting Biodefluorination of Fluorotelomer Alcohols (FTOHs): Degradative Microorganisms, Transformation Metabolites and Pathways, and Effects of Co-substrates. (Doctoral Dissertation)
Email
khchu@tamu.edu
First Name
Kung-Hui
Last Name
Chu
mailing address
Texas A&M University; Civil Engineering; 3136 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3136
USA