Yun Shen
Yun Shen
Assistant Professor
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Contact:
SEH 3530
Dr. Yun Shen joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at George Washington University (GWU) on September 1st, 2022. Her research is tackling the challenges on Solutions to Health-Environment Nexus (SHEN). In particular, she is investigating the transmission and control of environmental pathogens, including the transfer, persistence, infectivity/virulence, and inactivation/removal of pathogens in a variety of environments (i.e., wastewater, drinking water, soil, and indoor air). She is also investigating the interactions between pathogens and other emerging contaminants (e.g., microplastics) in the environment. Her research is supported by NSF, EPA, USDA, and NIH. Prior to joining GWU, Dr. Shen was an assistant professor in Chemical and Environmental Engineering at University of California, Riverside from 2020 to 2022.
Dr. Shen received her PhD degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2016. Following that, she had her postdoctoral training at University of Michigan from 2016-2019. She was an awardee of Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Microbiology of the Built Environment Postdoctoral Fellowship. She has published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles on Environmental Science and Technology, Environmental Science and Technology Letters, and other journals. She also received the AWWA WQTC Student Bet Paper Award in 2015, and AEESP Conference Podium Presentation Award in 2017. In addition, she served as session chairs/organizers in the 2020 MRS Fall Meeting, 2017 AEESP Conference, and 2015 IWA Biofilm Conference.
- PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2016
- MS, Peking University, 2011
- BS, Hohai University, 2008
Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications
23. Yun Shen, Sarah J. Haig, Aaron J. Prussin II, Linsey C. Marr, and Lutgarde Raskin. Shower Water Contributed Viable Nontuberculous Mycobacteria to Indoor Air. Accepted by PNAS Nexus in August 2022.
22. Hongchen Shen, Zhe Zhou, Haihuan Wang, Mengyang Zhang, Minghao Han, Yun Shen (Co-corresponding author), and Danmeng Shuai. Photosensitized Electrospun Nanofibrous Filters for Capturing and Killing Airborne Coronaviruses under Visible Light Irradiation. Environmental Science & Technology. 2022, 56 (7), 4295-4304
21. Hongchen Shen, Haihuan Wang, Zhe Zhou, Mengyang Zhang, Minghao Han, David P. Durkin, Danmeng Shuai, and Yun Shen. Development of Electrospun Nanofibrous Filters for Controlling Coronavirus Aerosols. Environmental Science and Technology Letters. 2021, 8 (7), 545–550
20. Hongchen Shen, David P. Durkin, Ashlee Aiello, Tara Diba, John Lafleur, Jason M. Zara, Yun Shen (Co-corresponding author), and Danmeng Shuai. Photocatalytic Graphitic Carbon Nitride-Chitosan Composites for Pathogenic Biofilm Control under Visible Light Irradiation. Journal of Hazardous Material, 2021, 408, 124890
19. Zhuodong Yu, Cory Schwarz, Liang Zhu, Linlin Chen, Yun Shen, and Pingfeng Yu. Hitchhiking Behavior in Bacteriophages Facilitates Phage Infection and Enhances Carrier Bacteria Colonization. Environmental Science and Technology, 2021, 55 (4), 2462-2472
18. Nicole Rockey, Yun Shen, Madeleine Wax, Sarah J. Haig, James Yonts, Guy Burke, David Yeoman, Zachary Hayes, Krista R. Wigginton, Lutgarde Raskin, and Terese M. Olson. Water Quality Monitoring before and after Lead Service Line Replacement and Identification in Flint, Michigan. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. 2021, 7 (4), 797-808
17. Conghui Huang, Yun Shen, Rebecca L. Smith, Shengkun Dong, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Effect of disinfectant residuals on infection risks from Legionella pneumophila released by biofilms grown under simulated premise plumbing conditions. Environment International, 2020, 137, 105561
16. Katherine Dowdell, Sarah J. Haig, Lindsay Caverly, Yun Shen, John J. LiPuma, and Lutgarde Raskin. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Drinking Water Systems – the Challenges of Characterization and Risk Assessment. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 2019, 57, 127-136
15. Yi Li, Hainan Wu, Yun Shen, Chao Wang, Peifang Wang, Wenlong Zhang, Yu Gao, and Lihua Niu. Statistical determination of crucial taxa indicative of pollution gradients in sediments of Lake Taihu, China. Environmental Pollution, 2019, 246, 753-762
14. Hongchen Shen, Enrique A. López-Guerra, Ruochen Zhu, Tara Diba, Qinmin Zheng, Santiago D. Solares, Jason M. Zara, Danmeng Shuai, and Yun Shen (Co-corresponding author). Visible-Light-Responsive Photocatalyst of Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Pathogenic Biofilm Control. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 2018, 11(1), 373-384
13. Chi Zhang, Yi Li, Danmeng Shuai, Yun Shen, Wei Xiong, and Linqiong Wang. Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4)-based Photocatalysts for Water Disinfection and Microbial Control：a Review. Chemosphere, 2019. 214, 462-479
12. Chi Zhang, Yi Li, Danmeng Shuai, Yun Shen, and Dawei Wang. Progress and Challenges in Photocatalytic Disinfection of Waterborne Viruses: a Review to Fill Current Knowledge Gaps. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2018. 355 (1), 399-415
11. Peter P. Sun, Elbashir M. Araud, Conghui Huang, Yun Shen, Guillermo L. Monroy, Shengyun Zhong, Zikang Tong, Stephen A. Boppart, J. Gary Eden, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Disintegration of Simulated Drinking Water Biofilms with Arrays of Microchannel Plasma Jets. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, 2018. 4(1), 24
10. Ruochen Zhu, Alfredo J. Diaz, Yun Shen, Fei Qi, Xueming Chang, David P. Durkin, Yingxue Sun, Santiago D. Solares, and Danmeng Shuai. Mechanism of Humic Acid Fouling in a Photocatalytic Membrane System. Journal of Membrane Science, 2018, 563(1), 531-540
9. Yun Shen, Pin Chieh Huang, Conghui Huang, Peng Sun, Guillermo L. Monroy, Wenjing Wu, Jie Lin, Rosa M. Espinosa-Marzal, Stephen A. Boppart, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Effect of Water Hardness and Scale Inhibitors on Chemical Composition, Structure, and Stiffness of Simulated Drinking Water Biofilms. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, 2018, 4(15)
8. Tooba Shoaib, Ariel Carmichael, Rebecca E. Corman, Yun Shen, Thanh H. Nguyen, Randy H. Ewoldt, and Rosa M. Espinosa-Marzal. Self-adaptive Hydrogels to Mineralization. Soft Matter, 2017, 13, 5469-5480
7. Yun Shen, Jun Li, Conghui Huang, Wenjing Wu, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Effect of Disinfectant Exposure on Legionella pneumophila Associated with Simulated Drinking Water Biofilms: Release, Inactivation, and Infectivity. Environmental Science & Technology, 2017, 51 (4), 2087–2095
6. Yun Shen, Conghui Huang, Guillermo L. Monroy, Dao Janjaroen, Nicolas Derlon, Rosa M. Espinosa-Marzal, Eberhard Morgenroth, Stephen A. Boppart, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Response of Simulated Drinking Water Biofilm Mechanical and Structural Properties to Long-Term Disinfectant Exposure. Environmental Science & Technology, 2016, 50 (4), 1779-1787
5. Yun Shen, Guillermo L. Monroy, Nicolas Derlon, Dao Janjaroen, Conghui Huang, Eberhard Morgenroth, Stephen A. Boppart, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Role of Biofilm Roughness and Hydrodynamic Conditions in Legionella Pneumophila Adhesion to and Detachment from Simulated Drinking Water Biofilms. Environmental Science & Technology, 2015, 49 (7), 4274-4282
4. Meiping Tong, Yun Shen, Haiyan Yang, and Hyunjung Kim. Deposition Kinetics of MS2 Bacteriophages on Clay Mineral Surfaces. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2012, 92, 340-347.
3. Yun Shen, Hyunjung Kim, Meiping Tong, and Qingyun Li. Influence of Solution Chemistry on the Deposition and Detachment Kinetics of RNA on Silica Surfaces. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2011, 82, 443-449.
2. Meiping Tong, Jiali Ding, and Yun Shen. Influence of Biofilm on the Transport of Fullerene (C60) Nanoparticles in Porous Media. Water Research. 2010, 44, 1094-1103.
1. Guoyu Long, Pingting Zhu, Yun Shen, and Meiping Tong. Influence of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) on Deposition Kinetics of Bacteria. Environmental Science & Technology. 2009, 43, 2308-2314.
Conference Presentations
25. Yihan Wang, Qiran Wu, Xun Guan, Ehsanur, Rahman, Boya Xiong, Yongtao Cui, Xitong Liu, Danmeng Shuai, and Yun Shen. Microplastics/nanoplastics as emerging environmental carriers to facilitate persistence and infectivity of coronavirus. AEESP Research and Education Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, June 28-30, 2022
24. Yiwen Zhu, Minghao Han, Tiong Aw, Joan B. Rose, Danmeng Shuai, and Yun Shen. Isolation and Identification of Emerging Environmental Pathogens of Vesicle-Cloaked Virus Clusters from Wastewater. AEESP Research and Education Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, June 28-30, 2022
21. Yun Shen, Yarong Qi, Xun Gong, and Xitong Liu. Probing the Interactions between Coronavirus with Contact Surfaces in the Presence of Body Fluids (invited). ACS Fall 2021, Atlanta, Georgia, August 22-26, 2021
20. Yun Shen, Linsey C. Marr, and Lutgarde Raskin. Viability of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria transferred from Shower Water to Indoor Air. 2019 Water Quality Technology Conference, Dallas, Texas, November 3–7, 2019
19. Yun Shen, Sarah J. Haig, Aaron J. Prussin II., Linsey C. Marr, and Lutgarde Raskin. Transfer of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria from Shower Water to Indoor Air. AEESP Research and Education Conference, Tempe, Arizona, May 14-16, 2019
18. Yun Shen, Sarah J. Haig, Aaron J. Prussin II., Linsey C. Marr, and Lutgarde Raskin. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Shower Water Transfer to Indoor Air. 2018 Water Quality Technology Conference, Toronto, Ontario, November 9–13, 2018
17. Yun Shen, Sarah J. Haig, Aaron J. Prussin II., Liem E. Setiawan, Linsey C. Marr, and Lutgarde Raskin.Quantification of Mycobacterium spp. in Hot Water and Aerosols Formed during Showering. MoBE 2017: Microbiology of the Built Environment Research and Applications Symposium, Washington D.C., October 10-12, 2017
16. Yun Shen, Sarah J. Haig, Aaron J. Prussin II., Liem E. Setiawan, Linsey Marr, and Lutgarde Raskin. Quantification of Opportunistic Bacterial Pathogens in Hot Water and Aerosols Formed during Showering. AEESP Research and Education Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 20-22, 2017
15. Conghui Huang, Yun Shen, Rebecca L. Smith, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Risk Assessment of Legionella pneumophila Infection by the Release from Biofilms in Premise Plumbing. AEESP Research and Education Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 20-22, 2017
14. Peter P. Sun, Yun Shen, Conghui Huang, Shengyun Zhong, Zikang Tong, J. Gary Eden, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Disruption of Simulated Drinking Water Biofilms with a Microplasma Jet Array. AEESP Research and Education Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 20-22, 2017
13. Terese M. Olson, Yun Shen, Nicole Rockey, Madeleine Wax, Sarah J. Haig, James Yonts, Guy Burke, David Yeoman, Zachary Hayes, Krista R. Wigginton, and Lutgarde Raskin. Quantification of Opportunistic Bacterial Pathogens and Metal Levels before and after Lead Service Line Replacement in Flint, MI. AEESP Research and Education Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 20-22, 2017
12. Yun Shen, Conghui Huang, Wenjing Wu, Rosa M. Espinosa-Marzal, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Effect of Water Hardness and Scale Inhibitors on Chemical Composition, Structure, and Stiffness of Simulated Drinking Water Biofilms. 2017 Borchardt Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan, February 21-22, 2017
11. Thanh H. Nguyen, Yun Shen, Jun Li, Conghui Huang, Wenjing Wu, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, and Wen-Tso Liu. Effect of Disinfectant Exposure on Legionella pneumophila Associated with Simulated Drinking Water Biofilms: Release, Inactivation, and Infectivity. 2016 Water Quality Technology Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 13–17, 2016
10. Yun Shen, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. The Role of Biofilms in Legionella pneumophila Transmission in Drinking Water Distribution Systems. Microbiomes of the Built Environment: From Research to Application, Irvine, California, October 17-18, 2016
9. Yun Shen, Conghui Huang, Wenjing Wu, Rosa M. Espinosa-Marzal, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Effect of Water Chemical Composition on Chemical Composition, Structure, and Stiffness of Simulated Drinking Water Biofilms. 252nd ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 21-25, 2016
8. Yun Shen, Conghui Huang, Guillermo L. Monroy, Dao Janjaroen, Nicolas Derlon, Rosa M. Espinosa-Marzal, Eberhard Morgenroth, Stephen A. Boppart, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Response of Simulated Drinking Water Biofilm Mechanical and Structural Properties to Long-Term Disinfectant Exposure. 2015 Water Quality Technology Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 15-19, 2015
7. Yun Shen, Conghui Huang, Guillermo L. Monroy, Dao Janjaroen, Nicolas Derlon, Rosa M. Espinosa-Marzal, Eberhard Morgenroth, Stephen A. Boppart, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Effect of Long-Term Disinfectant Exposure on Mechanical and Structural Properties of Biofilms. IWA Biofilm Conference 2015, Arosa, Switzerland, August 23-26, 2015 (Session Chair)
6. Yun Shen, Conghui Huang, Guillermo L. Monroy, Dao Janjaroen, Nicolas Derlon, Rosa M. Espinosa-Marzal, Eberhard Morgenroth, Stephen A. Boppart, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Drinking Water Biofilm Physical Property Change during Long-Term Disinfection: Implication on Pathogen Transmission. 2015 AEESP Research and Education Conference, New Haven, Connecticut, June 13-16, 2015
5. Conghui Huang, Yun Shen, and Thanh H. Nguyen. The effect of Biofilm Roughness and Hydrodynamic Condition in Particle Attachment Simulated with COMSOL. 2015 AEESP Research and Education Conference, New Haven, Connecticut, June 13-16, 2015
4. Yun Shen, Guillermo L. Monroy, Nicolas Derlon, Dao Janjaroen, Conghui Huang, Eberhard Morgenroth, Stephen A. Boppart, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. The Role of Biofilms Roughness and Hydrodynamic Conditions on Legionella pneumophila Adhesion to and Detachment from Simulated Drinking Water Biofilms. 2014 Water Quality Technology Conference, Louisiana, New Orleans, November 16-20, 2014 (Invited Presentation)
3. Yun Shen, Dao Janjaroen, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Adhesion Kinetics of Legionella pneumophila onto Copper, PVC, and Biofilms Dependent on Cell Starvation and Surface Roughness. 2014 Water Quality Technology Conference, Louisiana, New Orleans, November 16-20, 2014
2. Yun Shen, Dao Janjaroen, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Detachment of Legionella pneumophilafrom Groundwater Biofilms Grown on PVC Coupons. 2014 Borchardt Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan, February 25-26, 2014
1. Yun Shen, Guillermo L. Monroy, Nicolas Derlon, Dao Janjaroen, Conghui Huang, Eberhard Morgenroth, Stephen A. Boppart, Nicholas J. Ashbolt, Wen-Tso Liu, and Thanh H. Nguyen. Deposition Kinetics of Legionella pneumophila on Groundwater Biofilms Grown on PVC Coupons. 2013 Water Quality Technology Conference, Long Beach, California, November 3-7, 2013
- AEESP Research and Education Conference Podium Presentation Award, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 06/2017
- Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Microbiology of the Built Environment Postdoctoral Fellowship, USA, 09/2016
- American Water Works Association WQTC Student Best Paper Award, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 11/2015
- Yee Memorial Fund Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA, 03/2015
- Abbott Lab Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA, 08/2011