Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Dr Zhigang Yu
Dr

Zhigang Yu

Email: 

Overview

Background

Dr Zhigang Yu is an early career researcher who obtained a PhD degree from ACWEB, University of Queensland in 2022. Since then, he has been a Postdocoral Research Fellow at ACWEB. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles in top tier journals including PNAS, Adavanced Science, The ISME Journal, with 12 as a first author and H index of 30. He acts as a Guest Editor of three journals and has been invited as a reviewer for over 20 journals.

Dr Yu has a strong curiosity on the project of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which spans from chemistry to microbiology. His interests include the emergence and spread of bacterial AMR in both environmental and clinical (e.g., human gut) settings, bacterial adaptation, and the development of efficient disinfection technologies to contain AMR in the environment.

Availability

Dr Zhigang Yu is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Bacterial evolution

  • Antimicrobial resistance

  • Microbial interactions

  • Water-based epidemiology

  • Disinfection

Research impacts

Dr Yu establishes a microfluidic system to visualise AMR transfer at the single-cell level. This platform has generated several publications in journals including PNAS, ISME Journal, Advanced Science, and Microbiome.

Three of his publications are selected as Editors’ Choice and 1 is Best Paper Award Winner (only 3 winners worldwide) in ISME Journal, as well as 8 Highly Cited Papers. The "Best Paper" was also cited in the report from the office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, New Zealand. Dr Yu's research findings have attracted wide attention with >1,000 mentions and >10 M potential viewers globally.

Works

Search Professor Zhigang Yu’s works on UQ eSpace

32 works between 2016 and 2025

1 - 20 of 32 works

2025

Journal Article

The photo-based treatment technology simultaneously removes resistant bacteria and resistant genes from wastewater

Guo, Zicong, Tang, Xiang, Wang, Wenjun, Luo, Zhangxiong, Zeng, Yuxi, Zhou, Nan, Yu, Zhigang, Wang, Dongbo, Song, Biao, Zhou, Chengyun and Xiong, Weiping (2025). The photo-based treatment technology simultaneously removes resistant bacteria and resistant genes from wastewater. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 148, 243-262. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2024.01.005

The photo-based treatment technology simultaneously removes resistant bacteria and resistant genes from wastewater

2024

Journal Article

Detoxification of copper and zinc from anaerobic digestate effluent by indigenous bacteria: Mechanisms, pathways and metagenomic analysis

Yan, Hongbin, Gu, Zhiqiang, Zhang, Qi, Wang, Yunpu, Cui, Xian, Liu, Yuhuan, Yu, Zhigang and Ruan, Roger (2024). Detoxification of copper and zinc from anaerobic digestate effluent by indigenous bacteria: Mechanisms, pathways and metagenomic analysis. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 469 133993, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133993

Detoxification of copper and zinc from anaerobic digestate effluent by indigenous bacteria: Mechanisms, pathways and metagenomic analysis

2024

Journal Article

Elimination of copper obstacle factor in anaerobic digestion effluent for value-added utilization: Performance and resistance mechanisms of indigenous bacterial consortium

Gu, Zhiqiang, Yan, Hongbin, Zhang, Qi, Wang, Yunpu, Liu, Cuixia, Cui, Xian, Liu, Yuhuan, Yu, Zhigang, Wu, Xiaodan and Ruan, Roger (2024). Elimination of copper obstacle factor in anaerobic digestion effluent for value-added utilization: Performance and resistance mechanisms of indigenous bacterial consortium. Water Research, 252 121217, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121217

Elimination of copper obstacle factor in anaerobic digestion effluent for value-added utilization: Performance and resistance mechanisms of indigenous bacterial consortium

2023

Journal Article

Rice straw as microalgal biofilm bio-carrier: Effects of indigenous microorganisms on rice straw and microalgal biomass production

Yan, Hongbin, Zhang, Qi, Wang, Yunpu, Cui, Xian, Liu, Yuhuan, Yu, Zhigang, Xu, Shuming and Ruan, Roger (2023). Rice straw as microalgal biofilm bio-carrier: Effects of indigenous microorganisms on rice straw and microalgal biomass production. Journal of Environmental Management, 341 118075, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118075

Rice straw as microalgal biofilm bio-carrier: Effects of indigenous microorganisms on rice straw and microalgal biomass production

2023

Journal Article

Resupply, diffusion, and bioavailability of Hg in paddy soil-water environment with flood-drain-reflood and straw amendment

Yang, Xu, Li, Zihao, Wang, Tantan, Yang, Zhongzhu, Wen, Xin, Yang, Kaihua, Huang, Yicai, Chen, Wenhao, He, Yubo, Shi, Xiaohong, Zhang, Chang and Yu, Zhigang (2023). Resupply, diffusion, and bioavailability of Hg in paddy soil-water environment with flood-drain-reflood and straw amendment. Environmental Research, 231 (Pt 1) 116127, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116127

Resupply, diffusion, and bioavailability of Hg in paddy soil-water environment with flood-drain-reflood and straw amendment

2023

Journal Article

Electrochemical hydrogenation detoxication of p-nitrophenol via self-supported rGO/CoP/CF electrode: Performance, mechanism and biotoxicity

Tan, Chang, Yao, Fubing, Ma, Chi, He, Li, Yang, Xu, Wang, Tantan, Xiang, Ling, Yu, Guanlong, Yu, Zhigang, Zeng, Zhuotong and Zhang, Chang (2023). Electrochemical hydrogenation detoxication of p-nitrophenol via self-supported rGO/CoP/CF electrode: Performance, mechanism and biotoxicity. Chemical Engineering Journal, 467 143448, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.143448

Electrochemical hydrogenation detoxication of p-nitrophenol via self-supported rGO/CoP/CF electrode: Performance, mechanism and biotoxicity

2023

Journal Article

Ozonation enables to suppress horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in microbial communities during swine manure composting

Fu, Qiqi, Chen, Zhiqiang, Yu, Zhigang, Wu, Yiqi, Bao, Huanyu, Guo, Jianhua and Wen, Qinxue (2023). Ozonation enables to suppress horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in microbial communities during swine manure composting. Chemical Engineering Journal, 462 142218, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.142218

Ozonation enables to suppress horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in microbial communities during swine manure composting

2023

Journal Article

Unveiling the role of dissolved organic matter on the Hg phytoavailability in biochar-amended soils

Chen, Wenhao, Yu, Zhigang, Yang, Xu, Wang, Tantan, Li, Zihao, Wen, Xin, He, Yubo and Zhang, Chang (2023). Unveiling the role of dissolved organic matter on the Hg phytoavailability in biochar-amended soils. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (4) 3761, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20043761

Unveiling the role of dissolved organic matter on the Hg phytoavailability in biochar-amended soils

2023

Journal Article

Antidepressants can induce mutation and enhance persistence toward multiple antibiotics

Wang, Yue, Yu, Zhigang, Ding, Pengbo, Lu, Ji, Mao, Likai, Ngiam, Lyman, Yuan, Zhiguo, Engelstädter, Jan, Schembri, Mark A. and Guo, Jianhua (2023). Antidepressants can induce mutation and enhance persistence toward multiple antibiotics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120 (5) e2208344120, 1-12. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2208344120

Antidepressants can induce mutation and enhance persistence toward multiple antibiotics

2023

Journal Article

Non-caloric artificial sweeteners modulate conjugative transfer of multi-drug resistance plasmid in the gut microbiota

Yu, Zhigang, Henderson, Ian R. and Guo, Jianhua (2023). Non-caloric artificial sweeteners modulate conjugative transfer of multi-drug resistance plasmid in the gut microbiota. Gut Microbes, 15 (1) 2157698, 1-15. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2157698

Non-caloric artificial sweeteners modulate conjugative transfer of multi-drug resistance plasmid in the gut microbiota

2023

Journal Article

Synergistic combination of graphitic carbon nitride and peroxymonosulfate for efficient photocatalytic destruction of emerging contaminants under simulated solar irradiation

Zhong, Jiexi, Ahmed, Yunus, Yu, Zhigang, Mueller, Jochen F. and Guo, Jianhua (2023). Synergistic combination of graphitic carbon nitride and peroxymonosulfate for efficient photocatalytic destruction of emerging contaminants under simulated solar irradiation. ACS - ES & T Water, 3 (1), 6-15. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00237

Synergistic combination of graphitic carbon nitride and peroxymonosulfate for efficient photocatalytic destruction of emerging contaminants under simulated solar irradiation

2022

Journal Article

Metal-free ultrathin C3N5 photocatalyst coupling sodium percarbonate for efficient sulfamethoxazole degradation

Ma, Chi, Yu, Zhigang, Wei, Jingjing, Tan, Chang, Yang, Xu, Wang, Tantan, Yu, Guanlong, Zhang, Chang and Li, Xin (2022). Metal-free ultrathin C3N5 photocatalyst coupling sodium percarbonate for efficient sulfamethoxazole degradation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 319 121951, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.121951

Metal-free ultrathin C3N5 photocatalyst coupling sodium percarbonate for efficient sulfamethoxazole degradation

2022

Journal Article

Effects of C/N ratio on the growth and protein accumulation of heterotrophic Chlorella in broken rice hydrolysate

Cai, Yihui, Zhai, Ligong, Fang, Xiaoman, Wu, Kangping, Liu, Yuhuan, Cui, Xian, Wang, Yunpu, Yu, Zhigang, Ruan, Roger, Liu, Tongying and Zhang, Qi (2022). Effects of C/N ratio on the growth and protein accumulation of heterotrophic Chlorella in broken rice hydrolysate. Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, 15 (1) 102, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s13068-022-02204-z

Effects of C/N ratio on the growth and protein accumulation of heterotrophic Chlorella in broken rice hydrolysate

2022

Journal Article

Non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals promote conjugative plasmid transfer at a community-wide level

Wang, Yue, Yu, Zhigang, Ding, Pengbo, Lu, Ji, Klümper, Uli, Murray, Aimee K., Gaze, William H. and Guo, Jianhua (2022). Non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals promote conjugative plasmid transfer at a community-wide level. Microbiome, 10 (1) 124, 1-15. doi: 10.1186/s40168-022-01314-y

Non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals promote conjugative plasmid transfer at a community-wide level

2022

Journal Article

Plasmids can shift bacterial morphological response against antibiotic stress

Yu, Zhigang, Goodall, Emily C. A., Henderson, Ian R. and Guo, Jianhua (2022). Plasmids can shift bacterial morphological response against antibiotic stress. Advanced Science, 10 (2) 2203260, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/advs.202203260

Plasmids can shift bacterial morphological response against antibiotic stress

2022

Journal Article

Triclosan promotes conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes to opportunistic pathogens in environmental microbiome

Lu, Ji, Yu, Zhigang, Ding, Pengbo and Guo, Jianhua (2022). Triclosan promotes conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes to opportunistic pathogens in environmental microbiome. Environmental Science and Technology, 56 (21), 15108-15119. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05537

Triclosan promotes conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes to opportunistic pathogens in environmental microbiome

2022

Journal Article

Microplastics as potential carriers of viruses could prolong virus survival and infectivity

Lu, Ji, Yu, Zhigang, Ngiam, Lyman and Guo, Jianhua (2022). Microplastics as potential carriers of viruses could prolong virus survival and infectivity. Water Research, 225 119115, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119115

Microplastics as potential carriers of viruses could prolong virus survival and infectivity

2022

Journal Article

Combat antimicrobial resistance emergence and biofilm formation through nanoscale zero-valent iron particles

Yu, Zhigang, Li, Xuemei and Guo, Jianhua (2022). Combat antimicrobial resistance emergence and biofilm formation through nanoscale zero-valent iron particles. Chemical Engineering Journal, 444 136569, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.136569

Combat antimicrobial resistance emergence and biofilm formation through nanoscale zero-valent iron particles

2022

Journal Article

Effects of microalgae-bacteria inoculation ratio on biogas slurry treatment and microorganism interactions in the symbiosis system

Huang, Qiaoyun, Yan, Hongbin, Liu, Yuhuan, Cui, Xian, Wang, Yunpu, Yu, Zhigang, Ruan, Roger and Zhang, Qi (2022). Effects of microalgae-bacteria inoculation ratio on biogas slurry treatment and microorganism interactions in the symbiosis system. Journal of Cleaner Production, 362 132271. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132271

Effects of microalgae-bacteria inoculation ratio on biogas slurry treatment and microorganism interactions in the symbiosis system

2022

Journal Article

Understanding the effect of free nitrous acid on biofilms

Chislett, Mariella, Yu, Zhigang, Donose, Bogdan C., Guo, Jianhua and Yuan, Zhiguo (2022). Understanding the effect of free nitrous acid on biofilms. Environmental Science and Technology, 56 (16), 11625-11634. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01156

Understanding the effect of free nitrous acid on biofilms

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Bacterial evolution of antimicrobial resistance in urban water systems
    ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Zhigang Yu is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Zhigang Yu's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au