Dr. Xiaorong Zhang, born in April 1994 in Dalian, Liaoning Province, is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on remediation of soils contaminated by emerging pollutants, agricultural environmental risk assessment, migration and transformation of emerging contaminants, and resource utilization of agricultural waste. She is particularly interested in cross-media ecological remediation processes and microbial ecological succession mechanisms in agroecosystems. She has published more than 20 academic papers, including 15 SCI-indexed articles, with over 10 as first or corresponding author. She holds 6 authorized patents and serves as a reviewer for journals such as Chinese Journal of Ecology and Industrial Minerals & Processing. She has received several honors, including the CAS “Green Talent Program,” Outstanding Graduate of Liaoning Province, and Environmental Protection Scholarship.

1. 2019–2022, Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Institute of Applied Ecology，Chinese Academy of Sciences 2. 2016-2019, Master degree in Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University 3. 2012-2016, Bachelor degree in Environmental Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology,

1. 2024–Present: Associate Professor, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China; 2. 2022–2024: Special Research Assistant, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China

Emerging contaminant removal; Agricultural soil remediation; Environmental risk assessment; Microbial remediation technologies

1.2023–2025 Outstanding Communist Party Member, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenyang Branch. 2.2022 First Prize, Youth Academic Presentation Competition, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. 3. 2022 Environmental Protection Scholarship, Zhongke Group.

1.2026–2028: Project Leader, National Natural Science Foundation of China (Young Scientists Fund, Project No. 32501491). Microbial Mechanisms of ARG Reduction by Carbon-Based Microbial Consortia under Cu–Oxytetracycline Co-Contamination Stress. 2.2024–2026: Project Leader, Enterprise Commissioned Project. Screening and Domestication of Low-Temperature-Tolerant Strains and Development of Functional Soil Remediation Products. 3.2024–2027: Project Leader, CAS “Green Talent Program”, Institute of Applied Ecology. Microbial Mechanisms of Biochar-Loaded Microorganisms Driving ARG Reduction and Transfer in Farmland Soils. 4.2023–2025: Project Leader, Liaoning Provincial Doctoral Research Start-up Fund (Project No. 2023-BS-2021). Preparation of Selenium-Enriched Slow-Release Fertilizer Based on Iron Tailings and Modified Mushroom Residue Biochar and Its Agricultural Application. 5.2022–2025: Project Leader, CAS Independent Research Project. Development of Silicon–Selenium Compound Fertilizer from Iron Tailings and Its Effects on Rice and Soil Microenvironment. 6. 2022–2024: Project Leader, CAS Special Research Project. Emission Characteristics and Low-Temperature Degradation Mechanisms of Emerging Contaminants from Livestock and Poultry Farming in Northeast China. 7. 2022–2024: Project Leader, CAS Special Research Project (Project No. IAEMAP202201). Development of Carbon-Based Fertilization Technologies for Enhancing Carbon Sequestration in Agroecosystems. 8. 2022–2023: Project Leader, Provincial-Level Research Project (Project No. 2022-科A11). Development of Selenium-Enriched Fertilizers for Saline–Alkali Soils Based on Modified Iron Tailings and Organic Materials.

1. Zhang, X.R., Luo, Q.B., Gong, Z.Q., Yang, H.M., Chen, X., Wang, B.S., Yuan, M., Chen, Y., Jia, Y.J., Guo, S.H., 2026. Nano-selenium mitigates antibiotic resistance in paddy ecosystems via microbiome remodeling and environmental filtering shifts. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 92(3), 1-19. 2. Yang, H.M., Zhang, X.R*., Gong, Z.Q., Hashmi, M.Z., Luo, Q.B., Chen, X., Guo, S.H., 2025. Herbaspirillum huttiense enhances ecological filtering and niche reorganization to suppress ARGs under freeze–thaw disturbance, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 13, 119578. 3. Zhang, X.R., Gong, Z.Q*., Jia, Y.J., Zhao, X., Jia, C.Y., Chen, X., Guo, S.H., Ludlow, R.A., 2024. Response characteristics and functional predictions of soil microorganisms to heavy metals, antibiotics, and their resistance genes originating from different animal farms amended with Herbaspirillum huttiense, Environmental Research, 246, 118143. 4. Ni, Z.J., Gong, Z.Q., Song, L., Jia, C.Y., Zhang, X.R*., 2024. Adaptation strategies and functional transitions of microbial community in pyrene-contaminated soils promoted by lead with Pseudomonas veronii and its extracellular polymeric substance, Chemosphere, 351, 141139. 5. Zhang, X.R., Gong, Z.Q*., Chen, X., Ludlow, R.A., Guo, S.H., 2024. Enhanced removal of antibiotics and heavy metals in aquatic systems using spent mushroom substrate-derived biochar integrated with Herbaspirillum huttiense. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31, 47674-47689. 6. Zhang, X.R., Li, W.S., Gong, Z.Q*., Ludlow, R.A., Xiao, M., Zhao, B., Li, X.J., Jia, C.Y., Li, P.J., Liu, W., 2024. Increased nutritional quality of rice grains and migration mechanisms of selenium by spraying a foliar selenium-rich nutrient solution, Journal of Plant Nutrition, 211, 1–17. 7. Gao, C.Y., Xiao, M., Gong, Z.Q., Song, L., Wang, H.T., Ludlow, R.A., Li, W.S., Li, P.J., Liu, W., Jia, C.Y., Zhang, X.R*., 2023. Selenium biofortification and increased nutritional quality in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) using foliar application of selenium‑rich nutrient solution. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 23(3), 3600–3611. 8. Zhang, X.R., Gong, Z.Q*., Graeme, A., Xiao, M., Li, X.J., 2022. Environmental risks caused by livestock and poultry farms to the soils: Comparison of swine, cattle and chicken farms. Journal of Environmental Management, 317, 115320. 9. Zhang, X.R., Gong, Z.Q*., Graeme, A., Li, X.J., Jia, C.Y., 2022. Joint effects of bacterium and biochar in remediation of antibiotic-heavy metal contaminated soil and responses of resistance gene and microbial community. Chemosphere, 299, 134333. 10. Zhang, X.R., Liao, X.Y., Gong, Z.Q*., Li, X.J., Jia, C.Y., 2021. Formation of fatty acid methyl ester based microemulsion and removal mechanism of PAHs from contaminated soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 413, 125460. 11. Li, H.B., Zhang, X.R., Li, Y.H., Bai, J.N., Zhao, X.M., Zhao, S., 2019. The relationship between the unsaturated permeability coefficients (UPC) determined and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the subsurface wastewater infiltration system (SWIS). Desalination and Water Treatment, 155, 155–161. 12. Zhang, X.R., Li, H.B*., Li, Y.H., Bai, X.Y., Bai, J.N., Zhao, X.M., Zhao, S., 2018. The relationship between the unsaturated permeability coefficients (UPC) determined and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the subsurface wastewater infiltration system (SWIS). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2018, 15(12), 2790.

1. Zhang Xiaorong, Zhu Xiaolin, Gong Zongqiang, Zhao Xiang, Jia Yanjie, Jia Chunyun. Cold-Tolerant Multifunctional Bacterium and Its Application in Soil and Water Remediation. Authorization Date: October 17, 2025 Patent No.: ZL 202311453800.4 2. Gong Zongqiang, Zhang Xiaorong, Jia Chunyun, Li Xiaojun. Substrate for Improving Hydraulic Loading Capacity in Soil Infiltration Systems. Authorization Date: July 29, 2025 Application No.: ZL 202111141289.5 3. Zhu Xiaolin, Zhang Xiaorong, Wang Yan, Zheng Jie, Xu Bin, Li Xingguo, Wang Dan, Pan Yongyi, Zhang Xiaopeng, Wang Zhaoxin, Fan Lingling, Bai Yu. Conveyor Cleaning and Maintenance Device for Organic Fertilizer and Its Application Method. Authorization Date: March 22, 2024 Patent No.: ZL 202311730263.3 4. Zhu Xiaolin, Zhang Xiaorong, Jia Ke, Jing Ji, Jiang Mingjun, Liu Xue, Liu Chang, Wei Xiang, Xie Yang, Su Yufei, Cheng Guodong. Sorting Device for Silicon-Enriched Biochar-Based Organic Fertilizer. Authorization Date: January 26, 2024 Patent No.: ZL 202311628821.5 5. Gong Zongqiang, Zhang Xiaorong, Li Xiaojun, Jia Chunyun. Heavy Metal-Adsorbing Microbial Agent and Its Application in Soil Remediation. Authorization Date: January 13, 2023 Patent No.: ZL 202111026023.6 6. Gong Zongqiang, Zhang Xiaorong, Li Xiaojun, Jia Chunyun. Antibiotic-Degrading Bacterium and Its Application in Soil Remediation. Authorization Date: January 13, 2023 Patent No.: ZL 202111026025.5