Overview
Background
A/Prof Hu is an environmental scientist and engineer. He has a track record in both undertaking ground-breaking research works and applying fundamental research to develop practical solutions. A/Prof Hu's research and discoveries help established previously unrecognised links between the global carbon, nitrogen and metal cycles, as shown by his publications in Nature, Nature Microbiology and Nature Communications, which have significant implications in methane emissions from aquatic environments. A/Prof Hu has also been working intensively with water industry partners in developing novel water technologies. A/Prof Hu has worked as a CI and project manager of many industry projects (total cash budget > $14 M) in collaboration with Australian and international water utilities on sulfide control and carbon and nutrients removal and recovery in wastewater, resulting in many publications including in Science, Nature Communications, Water Research, Environmental Science and Technology.
A/Prof Hu is an Executive Committee member of UQ’s Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, which is one of the top three water research centres in the world. He has played a leadership role in the joint establishment and management of the Urban Utilities Innovation Centre since 2014, which is now regarded as the best platform for demonstration and translation of novel water treatment technology in Australia.
As an expert in new technology scale-up, he has won 10+ awards for collaborative R&D projects:
- Australian Water Association (AWA) Queensland R&D Excellence Award 2022 for project ‘Transforming wastewater treatment in regional Australia', as a CI
- UQ Awards for Excellence 2022 - Promoting Industry Engagement in Graduate Research, as program leader
- AWA Queensland Infrastructure Project Innovation Award 2021 for project ‘Australia’s first municipal sidestream anammox treatment facility’, as the UQ representative
- AWA Qld R&D Excellence Award 2020 for project ‘Zero-energy sewage treatment, harnessing the power of biogas’, as a CI and project co-leader
- Finalist for AWA Qld R&D Excellence Award 2020 for project ‘Urban Utilities algae research project/program’, as a project CI
- AWA Qld R&D Excellence Award 2019 for project ‘An integrated approach to iron salt use in urban water systems’, as a team member
- UQ Awards for Excellence - Partners in Research Excellence Awards 2017
- Queensland Urban Utilities Research Innovation Award 2017
- AWA National R&D Excellence Award 2017 for project ‘Nitrogen removal from wastewater while maximising resource recovery potential’, as project co-leader
- Advance Queensland Research Fellowship 2016
- AWA Qld R&D Excellence Award 2016 for project ‘Affordable and sustainable water recycling through optimal technology integration’, as project co-leader
- Finalist for AWA Qld R&D Excellence Award 2015 for project ‘Queensland Urban Utilities Innovation Centre', as project co-leader
- International Water Association (IWA) Global Project Innovation Award 2014 for Project ‘Sewer Corrosion and Odour Research (SCORe) - Putting Science in Sewers’, as a team member
Teaching
WATR 6103: Advanced Wastewater and Biosolids Treatment
WATR 6105: Integrated Urban Water Management
WATR7104 Sewer Networks - Design, Operation and Maintenance
Availability
- Associate Professor Shihu Hu is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework) of Environmental Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Shihu Hu’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
Simultaneous dissolved methane and nitrogen removal from low-strength wastewater using anaerobic granule-based sequencing batch reactor
Liu, Tao, Hu, Shihu, Yuan, Zhiguo and Guo, Jianhua (2023). Simultaneous dissolved methane and nitrogen removal from low-strength wastewater using anaerobic granule-based sequencing batch reactor. Water Research, 242 120194, 120194. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120194
2023
Journal Article
Salinity effect on an anaerobic methane- and ammonium-oxidising consortium: shifts in activity, morphology, osmoregulation and syntrophic relationship
Frank, Joshua, Zhang, Xueqin, Marcellin, Esteban, Yuan, Zhiguo and Hu, Shihu (2023). Salinity effect on an anaerobic methane- and ammonium-oxidising consortium: shifts in activity, morphology, osmoregulation and syntrophic relationship. Water Research, 242 120090, 120090. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120090
2023
Journal Article
Nitrification in acidic and alkaline environments
Ni, Gaofeng, Leung, Pok Man, Daebeler, Anne, Guo, Jianhua, Hu, Shihu, Cook, Perran, Nicol, Graeme W., Daims, Holger and Greening, Chris (2023). Nitrification in acidic and alkaline environments. Essays in Biochemistry, 67 (4), 753-768. doi: 10.1042/ebc20220194
2023
Journal Article
Tuning flow-through cu-based hollow fiber gas-diffusion electrode for high-efficiency carbon monoxide (CO) electroreduction to C2+products
Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Heffernan, James K., Ge, Lei, Zhang, Xueqin, Yan, Penghui, Marcellin, Esteban, Hu, Shihu, Zhu, Zhonghua, Wang, Hao and Yuan, Zhiguo (2023). Tuning flow-through cu-based hollow fiber gas-diffusion electrode for high-efficiency carbon monoxide (CO) electroreduction to C2+products. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 330 122589, 122589. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2023.122589
2023
Journal Article
Impact of electrochemically generated iron on the performance of an anaerobic wastewater treatment process
Hu, Zhetai, Hu, Shihu, Hong, Pei-Ying, Zhang, Xueqin, Prodanovic, Veljko, Zhang, Kefeng, Ye, Liu, Deletic, Ana, Yuan, Zhiguo and Zheng, Min (2023). Impact of electrochemically generated iron on the performance of an anaerobic wastewater treatment process. Science of the Total Environment, 875 162628, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162628
2023
Journal Article
Formate as an alternative electron donor for the anaerobic methanotrophic archaeon Candidatus ‘Methanoperedens nitroreducens’
Xie, Mengying, Zheng, Yue, Zhang, Xueqin, Xia, Jun, Maulani, Nova, Yuan, Zhiguo, Cai, Chen and Hu, Shihu (2023). Formate as an alternative electron donor for the anaerobic methanotrophic archaeon Candidatus ‘Methanoperedens nitroreducens’. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 10 (6), 506-512. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00220
2023
Journal Article
One-year stable pilot-scale operation demonstrates high flexibility of mainstream anammox application
Zheng, Min, Li, Huijuan, Duan, Haoran, Liu, Tao, Wang, Zhiyao, Zhao, Jing, Hu, Zhetai, Watts, Shane, Meng, Jia, Liu, Peng, Rattier, Maxime, Larsen, Eloise, Guo, Jianhua, Dwyer, Jason, Akker, Ben Van Den, Lloyd, James, Hu, Shihu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2023). One-year stable pilot-scale operation demonstrates high flexibility of mainstream anammox application. Water Research X, 19 100166, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2023.100166
2023
Journal Article
Novel use of a ferric salt to enhance mainstream nitrogen removal from anaerobically pretreated wastewater
Hu, Zhetai, Hu, Shihu, Ye, Liu, Duan, Haoran, Wu, Ziping, Hong, Pei-Ying, Yuan, Zhiguo and Zheng, Min (2023). Novel use of a ferric salt to enhance mainstream nitrogen removal from anaerobically pretreated wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology, 57 (16), 6712-6722. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08325
2023
Journal Article
Nitrification potential of daily-watered biofiltration designs for high ammonium wastewater treatment
Prodanovic, Veljko, Zhang, Kefeng, Zheng, Min, Hu, Shihu, Hong, Pei-Ying, Yuan, Zhiguo and Deletic, Ana (2023). Nitrification potential of daily-watered biofiltration designs for high ammonium wastewater treatment. Science of the Total Environment, 863 160989, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160989
2023
Journal Article
Membrane reciprocation as energy-efficient fouling control with high biogas recovery in a pilot-scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor
Lim, Zhuan Khai, Liu, Tao, Zheng, Min, Rattier, Maxime, Keller, Jurg, Yuan, Zhiguo, Guo, Jianhua and Hu, Shihu (2023). Membrane reciprocation as energy-efficient fouling control with high biogas recovery in a pilot-scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 190 106849, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106849
2023
Journal Article
Microbial stratification affects conversions of nitrogen and methane in biofilms coupling anammox and n-DAMO processes
Liu, Tao, Hu, Shihu, Yuan, Zhiguo and Guo, Jianhua (2023). Microbial stratification affects conversions of nitrogen and methane in biofilms coupling anammox and n-DAMO processes. Environmental Science and Technology, 57 (11), 4608-4618. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07294
2023
Journal Article
Significant production of nitric oxide by aerobic nitrite reduction at acidic pH
Lu, Xi, Wang, Zhiyao, Duan, Haoran, Wu, Ziping, Hu, Shihu, Ye, Liu, Yuan, Zhiguo and Zheng, Min (2023). Significant production of nitric oxide by aerobic nitrite reduction at acidic pH. Water Research, 230 119542, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119542
2023
Journal Article
Anaerobic methanotroph ‘Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens’ has a pleomorphic life cycle
McIlroy, Simon J., Leu, Andy O., Zhang, Xueqin, Newell, Rhys, Woodcroft, Ben J., Yuan, Zhiguo, Hu, Shihu and Tyson, Gene W. (2023). Anaerobic methanotroph ‘Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens’ has a pleomorphic life cycle. Nature Microbiology, 8 (2), 321-331. doi: 10.1038/s41564-022-01292-9
2023
Journal Article
High hydraulic loading rates favored mainstream partial nitritation: experimental demonstration and model-based analysis
Duan, Haoran, Zheng, Min, Li, Jiyun, Liu, Tao, Wang, Zhiyao, Shrestha, Sohan, Wang, Bingzheng, Ye, Liu, Hu, Shihu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2023). High hydraulic loading rates favored mainstream partial nitritation: experimental demonstration and model-based analysis. ACS ES and T Water, 3 (2), 556-564. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00569
2023
Journal Article
Ammonium concentration determines oxygen penetration depth to impact the suppression of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria inside partial nitritation and anammox biofilms
Zhao, Jing, Liu, Tao, Meng, Jia, Hu, Zhetai, Lu, Xuanyu, Hu, Shihu, Yuan, Zhiguo and Zheng, Min (2023). Ammonium concentration determines oxygen penetration depth to impact the suppression of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria inside partial nitritation and anammox biofilms. Chemical Engineering Journal, 455 140738, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.140738
2022
Journal Article
Characterizing and comparing microbial community and biofilm structure in three nitrifying moving bed biofilm reactors
Zhao, Jing, Ni, Gaofeng, Piculell, Maria, Li, Jie, Hu, Zhetai, Wang, Zhiyao, Guo, Jianhua, Yuan, Zhiguo, Zheng, Min and Hu, Shihu (2022). Characterizing and comparing microbial community and biofilm structure in three nitrifying moving bed biofilm reactors. Journal of Environmental Management, 320 115883, 115883. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115883
2022
Journal Article
Electrochemical iron production to enhance anaerobic membrane treatment of wastewater
Hu, Zhetai, Zheng, Min, Hu, Shihu, Hong, Pei-Ying, Zhang, Xueqing, Prodanovic, Veljko, Zhang, Kefeng, Pikaar, Ilje, Ye, Liu, Deletic, Ana and Yuan, Zhiguo (2022). Electrochemical iron production to enhance anaerobic membrane treatment of wastewater. Water Research, 225 119202, 119202. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119202
2022
Journal Article
Re-configuring mainstream anammox
Wang, Zhiyao, Zheng, Min, Duan, Haoran, Hu, Shihu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2022). Re-configuring mainstream anammox. Chemical Engineering Journal, 445 136817, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.136817
2022
Journal Article
Selective enrichment of comammox Nitrospira in a moving bed biofilm reactor with sufficient oxygen supply
Zhao, Jing, Zheng, Min, Su, Zicheng, Liu, Tao, Li, Jie, Guo, Jianhua, Yuan, Zhiguo and Hu, Shihu (2022). Selective enrichment of comammox Nitrospira in a moving bed biofilm reactor with sufficient oxygen supply. Environmental Science and Technology, 56 (18), 13338-13346. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03299
2022
Journal Article
Microtubular electrodes: an emerging electrode configuration for electrocatalysis, bioelectrochemical and water treatment applications
Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Ge, Lei, Hu, Shihu, Wang, Hao and Yuan, Zhiguo (2022). Microtubular electrodes: an emerging electrode configuration for electrocatalysis, bioelectrochemical and water treatment applications. Chemical Engineering Journal, 450 138476, 138476. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.138476
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Shihu Hu is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mitigating methane emissions from sludge drying lagoons
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Production of C1-C2 liquid chemicals from waste streams containing carbon dioxide
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bernardino Virdis, Dr Xueqin Zhang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Autotrophic nitrogen removal from low carbon wastewater by anammox
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zhiyao Wang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Recycling scrap iron for integrated urban wastewater management
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing anaerobic digestion with microbial electrochemical process
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Xueqin Zhang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Electrochemically generated iron dosing for sulfide control and phosphate recovery in anaerobic wastewater treatment system
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane coupled to oxidised contaminants reduction by `Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens¿
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Xueqin Zhang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Production of valuable chemicals from gaseous waste
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bernardino Virdis, Dr Xueqin Zhang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Fate and removal of PFAS in sewage sludge
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial Benchmarking at Wastewater Treatment Plants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sustainable management of sewage sludge
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen, Dr Haoran Duan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing activated sludge production by advanced oxidation process in wastewater treatment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Xueqin Zhang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Revolutionising sludge management, turning costly waste into a safe product
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zhiyao Wang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cost-effective and sustainable treatment of ammonium-rich industrial wastewater
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Liu Ye, Dr Haoran Duan
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding of the novel metabolic behaviour of nitrogen and metal-dependent anaerobic methane-oxidizing microorganisms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Xueqin Zhang
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Isolation and understanding of a novel acid-tolerant heterotrophic denitrifier in acidic wastewater treatment systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zhiyao Wang
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Versatile uses of iron in the urban wastewater system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Liu Ye
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and characterisation of novel nitrogen-transforming microorganisms
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the effect of salinity and methane concentration on nitrate-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding of biofilm ecosystem in Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors for wastewater treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Chemical pre-treatment for enhanced anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan, Dr Haoran Duan
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Application of AnMBR and MBfR for carbon recovery and nitrogen removal from domestic wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding extracellular respiration of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea and application for bioelectrochemical oxidation of methane
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Enrichment and characterisation of novel microorganisms involved in the nitrogen cycle
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and Application of Methane-supported Microbial Selenate and Perchlorate Reduction Processes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Hollow Fibre Gas-diffusion Electrodes for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Reaction
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge, Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Innovative nitrogen conversion to enhance wastewater and sludge management
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring versatile applications of nitrite/nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation through modelling and experimental investigations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Nitrate-, Fe(III)- and Mn(IV)-dependent Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the effect of changing urban water management on sewer emissions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and Application of the Denitrifying Anaerobic Methane Oxidation (DAMO) Process
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
Media
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