Professional Biography

My overarching research goal is to understand and develop novel bioprocesses and models to produce biofuels, bioproducts, and renewable materials by exploring the interface between chemistry, engineering and system biology.  We have grown several specific research areas including 1) data-driven solvent innovation and enzyme engineering for renewable, circular, and low-carbon chemicals and materials; 2) biomass feedstock logistics and modeling; and 3) nanotechnology and fermentation development for food and agriculture applications.

Research Interests
  • Bioprocessing
  • Biomanufacturing
  • Fermentation
  • Sustainability
  • Waste treatment
  • Decarbonization

Scholars@UK

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Volatile fatty acids recovery from thermophilic acidogenic fermentation using hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents

Liu, C., Zhang, X., Qiao, Q., Wang, Z., Shao, Q. & Shi, J., Dec 2025, In: Journal of Biological Engineering. 19, 1, 73.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Confined enzymatic esterification of volatile fatty acids in aqueous solutions

Liu, C. & Shi, J., Jun 2025, In: Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology. 66, 103615.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Understanding Lipase-Deep Eutectic Solvent Interactions Towards Biocatalytic Esterification

Liu, C. & Shi, J., Apr 2025, In: Catalysts. 15, 4, 358.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Organic amendment effects on cropland soil organic carbon and its implications: A global synthesis

Bai, X., Tang, J., Wang, W., Ma, J., Shi, J. & Ren, W., Oct 2023, In: Catena. 231, 107343.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Comparative life cycle assessment of woody biomass processing: air classification, drying, and size reduction powered by bioelectricity versus grid electricity

Edmonson, A., Lin, Y., Mba-Wright, M., Byrne, D., Ding, L. & Shi, J., Apr 2025, In: Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 15, 8, p. 11793-11802 10 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Machine-Learning-Assisted Design of Deep Eutectic Solvents Based on Uncovered Hydrogen Bond Patterns

Abbas, U. L., Zhang, Y., Tapia, J., Md, S., Chen, J., Shi, J. & Shao, Q., Aug 2024, In: Engineering. 39, p. 74-83 10 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Anhydrous volatile fatty acid extraction through omniphobic membranes by hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents: Mechanistic understanding and future perspective

Zhang, X., Wang, J., Zhang, Y., Qing, W., Lansing, S., Shi, J., Zhang, W. & Wang, Z. W., Jun 15 2024, In: Water Research. 257, 121654.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Lignin derived hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents for the extraction of nanoplastics from water

Zhang, Y., Hunter, J. R., Ullah, A., Shao, Q. & Shi, J., Apr 5 2024, In: Journal of Hazardous Materials. 467, 133695.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Synergistic Ball Milling–Enzymatic Pretreatment of Brewer’s Spent Grains to Improve Volatile Fatty Acid Production through Thermophilic Anaerobic Fermentation

Liu, C., Ullah, A., Gao, X. & Shi, J., Jun 2023, In: Processes. 11, 6, 1648.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Green solvent mediated extraction of micro- and nano-plastic particles from water

Hunter, J. R., Qiao, Q., Zhang, Y., Shao, Q., Crofcheck, C. & Shi, J., Dec 2023, In: Scientific Reports. 13, 1, 10585.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Bioleaching to produce clean loblolly pine for thermochemical conversion

Liu, M., Hunter, J., Shi, J. & Zheng, Y., Jul 15 2023, In: Fuel. 344, 128148.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Fractionation, characterization, and valorization of lignin derived from engineered plants

Liu, E., Li, W., DeBolt, S., Nokes, S. E. & Shi, J., Jun 1 2021, Emerging Technologies for Biorefineries, Biofuels, and Value-Added Commodities. p. 245-288 44 p.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Lignin-derived carbon material for electrochemical energy storage applications: Insight into the process-structure-properties-performance correlations

Li, W. & Shi, J., 2023, In: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 11, 1121027.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Process intensification strategies for green solvent mediated biomass pretreatment

Ullah, A., Zhang, Y., Liu, C., Qiao, Q., Shao, Q. & Shi, J., Feb 2023, In: Bioresource Technology. 369, 128394.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Lignin derived hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents as sustainable extractants

Zhang, Y., Qiao, Q., Abbas, U. L., Liu, J., Zheng, Y., Jones, C., Shao, Q. & Shi, J., Feb 15 2023, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 388, 135808.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Modifying Surface Charges of a Thermophilic Laccase Toward Improving Activity and Stability in Ionic Liquid

Stevens, J. C. & Shi, J., Jun 8 2022, In: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 10, 880795.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Variations of the humidity in the process of solid-state fermentation of corn stalk for ethanol

Su, D., Shi, J., Liu, P. & Sun, J., Mar 2005, In: Nongye Gongcheng Xuebao/Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering. 21, 3, p. 189-191 3 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Biodegradable Cellulose Film Prepared From Banana Pseudo-Stem Using an Ionic Liquid for Mango Preservation

Ai, B., Zheng, L., Li, W., Zheng, X., Yang, Y., Xiao, D., Shi, J. & Sheng, Z., Feb 19 2021, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 12, 625878.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

FRACTIONATION AND UPGRADE OF ENDOCARP LIGNIN TO CARBON- SILICON NANOCOMPOSITES AS AN ANODE MATERIAL IN LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

Vin-Nnajiofor, M. C., Li, W., Debolt, S., Cheng, Y.-T. & Shi, J., 2022, In: Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 38, 3, p. 509-516

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COMPOSITION, STRUCTURE, AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ENDOCARP BIOMASS

Vin-Nnajiofor, M. C., Li, W., Debolt, S., Cheng, Y.-T. & Shi, J., 2022, In: Transactions of the ASABE. 65, 1, p. 67-74

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Surface Enhanced Smart Preprocessing of Municipal Solid Wastes for Year-Round Supply of Conversion-Ready Feedstocks

Shi, J. (PI), Badurdeen, F. (CoI), Hunter, J. (CoI), Koumoulis, D. (CoI), Montross, M. (CoI) & Chen, J. (Former CoI)

Department of Energy

10/1/22 → 12/31/26

Project: Research project

Scope account: Development and Characterization of Densified Biomass-plastic Blend for Entrained Flow Gasification

Liu, K. (PI), Nikolic, H. (CoI), Shi, J. (CoI) & Caudill, L. (Former CoI)

Department of Energy

8/1/21 → 7/31/23

Project: Research project

Development and Characterization of Densified Biomass-plastic Blend for Entrained Flow Gasification

Liu, K. (PI), Koumoulis, D. (CoI), Nikolic, H. (CoI), Shi, J. (CoI) & Caudill, L. (Former CoI)

Department of Energy

8/1/21 → 5/31/24

Project: Research project

Education

Ph.D., Biological Engineering (minor in Biotechnology), North Carolina State University, 2007

M.S., Food Science and Engineering, China Agricultural University, China, 2003

B.E., Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Chongqing University, China, 1999

Profile Resources

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Associated Departments

Biosystems & Agr Engineering