Prof. Yu-Shen Cheng

Prof. Yu-Shen Cheng received his Ph.D. in Biological Systems Engineering from the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) in 2010. His research covers bioresources & biorefinery, industrial biotechnology, applied microbiology, biochemical engineering processes, biomaterials, and sustainable development with circular economy applications.

• Bioresources & Biorefinery
• Industrial Biotechnology
• Applied Microbiology
• Biochemical Engineering Processes
• Sustainability & Circular Economy
• Biomaterials

• 2010: Ph.D. in Biological Systems Engineering (Specialization in Biotechnology & Biochemical Engineering), University of California, Davis, USA
  Dissertation: Effects of culture conditions on cell wall composition and physiology of microalgae and their impact on downstream processing.
• 2000: M.S. in Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan

• 08/2025 – 07/2026: Chair, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
• 08/2022 – 01/2025: Dean, College of Future, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
• 08/2020 – 07/2026: Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
• 08/2020 – 01/2025: Director, Bachelor Program in Industrial Technology, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
• 02/2017 – 07/2020: Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
• 02/2017 – 07/2020: Head, Extracurricular Activities Division, Office of Student Affairs, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
• 02/2012 – 07/2016: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
• 12/2010 – 02/2012: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Davis, USA

• Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists Worldwide (2025) | Main Field: Enabling & Strategic Technologies; Sub-field: Biotechnology; Energy
• NSTC / MOST Special Outstanding Talent Award (2016–2026)
• Excellence in Teaching & Service Award, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (2024)
• Academic Service Award, Taiwan Society of Biochemical Engineering (BEST) (2023)
• Senior Extracurricular Activity Director Award, Ministry of Education (2020)
• Best Oral Presentation Award, ICBBB 2024, Kyoto; Best Poster Award, ILASS-Asia 2025; Best Poster Award, iBio-P 2016
• Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award, FITI Competition (2017)

• Editorial Board Member: Biomass & Bioenergy (2023–present), Applied Science and Engineering Progress (2018–present)
• Board Member: Taiwan Society of Biochemical Engineering (BEST) (2018–present)

1. Phei Er Kee, Diana Jose, Dillirani Nagarajan, Malinee Sriariyanun, Yu-Shen Cheng*. (2026, Oct). From organic wastes to feed, fertilizer, fuels and materials: A systems review of insect farming and biorefinery pathways in urban and agroecosystems. Agricultural Systems 238: 104891.
2. Faisal Amir, MA Kalam, Md Abu Hasan Johir, AS Silitonga, Yu-Shen Cheng (2026, Oct). A critical review on ultrasonic technology in biolubricant process using microalgae-derived bio-oil. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 240: 117199.
3. Faisal Amir, MA Kalam, Yu-Shen Cheng, Md Abu Hasan Johir, AS Silitonga, Nandy Putra, TM Indra Mahlia (2026, Jan). Optimisation and characterisation of water hyacinth-based biochar and bio-oils produced by thermochemical processes for sustainable biocatalyst and biofuel production. Energy Conversion and Management 348: 120735.
4. Chi-Wen Lin, Shu-Hui Liu, Yu-Shen Cheng, Baala H Anandapadmanaban (2026, Jan). Dual-function microalgal microbial fuel cell for simultaneous wastewater remediation and bioelectricity generation under magnetically stirred cathode configuration. Journal of Water Process Engineering 81: 109415.
5. Chi-Wen Lin, Baala H Anandapadmanaban, Shu-Hui Liu, Yu-Shen Cheng, Yi-Chun Yu (2026, Jan). Emerging applications of insect (protein, lipid) and insect waste (chitosan, frass, exuviae)-derived materials in sustainable technologies: A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 339: 150017.
6. Chi-Wen Lin, Baala H Anandapadmanaban, Shu-Hui Liu, Yu-Shen Cheng (2026, Jan). A comprehensive evaluation of contemporary research on photosynthetic microalgal–microbial fuel cells (PM–MFCs) concerning wastewater and pollution remediation, bioelectricity generation, and bioproduct synthesis. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments 85: 104807.
7. Diana Jose, Yu-Shen Cheng, Senthil Muthu Kumar Thiagamani, Santi Chuetor, Theerawut Phusantisampan, Prapakorn Tantayotai, Malinee Sriariyanun*. (2026, Jan). Integrating DES Pretreatment and Enzymatic Saccharification for Napier Grass Valorization. Waste and Biomass Valorization 17 (1): 483-498.
8. Muhammad Ayub Khan, Babu Dharmalingam, Santi Chuetor, Yu-Shen Cheng, Malinee Sriariyanun (2025, Dec). Comprehensive review on effective conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to levulinic acid. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 15 (23): 29681-29696.
9. Adi Kusmayadi, Yu-Shen Cheng*, Yoong Kit Leong, Jo-Shu Chang (2025, Sep). Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization of Microalgae Grown in Swine Wastewater: Process Optimization and Application of Hydrochar for Dye Adsorption. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 201: 107469.
10. Faisal Amir, Yu-Shen Cheng*, Shi-Chang Tseng, Md Abul Kalam (2025, Sep). Optimized Production and Functionalization of Water Hyacinth-Derived Biochar for Biocatalysis and Dye Adsorption. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 201: 107519.
11. Yen-Tzu Fan, Zih-Ee Lin, Pei-Te Chiueh, Yu-Pin Lin, Lien-Chieh Cheng, Yu-Shen Cheng, Shu-I Lin, Chihhao Fan (2025, Aug). Challenges and opportunities in using biowaste for sustainable hydroponic netted melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivation. Agricultural Systems 228: 104366.
12. Elizabeth Jayex Panakkal, Kraipat Cheenkachorn, Santi Chuetor, Srideep Dasari, Keerthi Katam, Theerawut Phusantisampan, Yu-Shen Cheng, Malinee Sriariyanun*. (2025, May). A comparative study on effectiveness and recyclability of three different deep eutectic solvents for biomass fractionation. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 15: 13393–13407.
13. Yu-Cheng Liang#, Yu-Shen Cheng#, Hsiao-Yi Chen, Hui-Min David Wang* (2025, Jan). Bio-hydrogel from RGD peptide/chitosan/β-glycerophosphate prevents postoperative wound adhesion. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 284: 137938.
14. Tien-Hsin Cheng, Ruei-Hong Lin, Yu-Shen Cheng*, Pin-Keng Shih, Pau Loke Show, Hsiao-Yi Chen, Pattarawadee Sumthong Nakmee, Jui-Jen Chang, Dong-Ming Huang, Hui-Min David Wang*. (2024, Jul). A biomimetic micropillar wound dressing with flavone and polyphenol control release in vitro and in vivo. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 160: 10585.
15. Diana Jose, Atthasit Tawai, Divya Divakaran, Malinee Sriariyanun, Vanarat Phakeenuya, Yu-Shen Cheng, Prapakorn Tantayotai. (2024, Jul). Influence of Acetic Acid Pretreatment and its Residue on Bioethanol and Biogas Production from Water Hyacinth. Applied Science and Engineering Progress 17 (3): 7326.
16. Sukunya Areeya, Elizabeth Jayex Panakkal, Punyanuch Kunmanee, Atthasit Tawai, Suksun Amornraksa, Malinee Sriariyanun, Apinya Kaoloun, Nina Hartini, Yu-Shen Cheng, Mohamed Kchaou, Srideep Dasari, Marttin Paulraj Gundupalli. (2024, Jul). A Review of Sugarcane Biorefinery: From Waste to Value-Added Products. Applied Science and Engineering Progress 17 (3): 7402.
17. Nina Hartini, Yu-Shan Wu, Ratna Dewi Kusumaningtyas, Malinee Sriariyanun, Jia-Jiuan Wu and Yu-Shen Cheng*. (2024, Jan). Solubility Enhancement of Curcumin via Fast-Dissolving Electrospun Nanofibrous Mats Comprising Jelly Fig Polysaccharides and Pullulan. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 160: 105346.
18. Chung-Wei Chen, Wei-Sheng Yu, Zong-Xuan Zheng, Yu-Shen Cheng*, and Si-Yu Li*. (2023, Dec). Waste valorization through acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 160: 105280.
19. Babu Dharmalingam, Prapakorn Tantayotai, Elizabeth Jayex Panakkal, Kraipat Cheenkachorn, Suchata Kirdponpattara, Marttin Paulraj Gundupalli, Yu-Shen Cheng, Malinee Sriariyanun. (2023, Sep). Organic acid pretreatments and optimization techniques for mixed vegetable waste biomass conversion into biofuel production. BioEnergy Research 16 (3): 1667-1682.
20. Nur Izyan Wan Azelee, Hilman Ibnu Mahdi, Yu-Shen Cheng, Norhafiza Nordin, Rosli Md Illias, Roshanida A Rahman, Shalyda Md Shaarani, Pankaj Bhatt, Sudesh Yadav, Soon Woong Chang, Balasubramani Ravindran, Veeramuthu Ashokkumar (2023, May). Biomass degradation: Challenges and strategies in extraction and fractionation of hemicellulose. Fuel 339: 126982.
21. Phei Er Kee, Yu-Shen Cheng, Jo-Shu Chang, Hip Seng Yim, John Choon Yee Tan, Su Shiung Lam, John Chi-Wei Lan, Hui Suan Ng, Kuan Shiong Khoo (2023, Mar). Insect biorefinery: A circular economy concept for biowaste conversion to value-added products. Environmental Research 221: 115284.
22. Azalea Dyah Maysarah Satya, Wai Yan Cheah, Sara Kazemi Yazdi, Yu-Shen Cheng, Kuan Shiong Khoo, Dai-Viet N Vo, Xuan Dong Bui, Meththika Vithanage, Pau Loke Show (2023, Feb). Progress on microalgae cultivation in wastewater for bioremediation and circular bioeconomy. Environmental Research 218: 114948.
23. Nisit Watthanasakphuban, Luan Van Nguyen, Yu-Shen Cheng, Pau-Loke Show, Malinee Sriariyanun, Mattheos Koffas, Kittipong Rattanaporn (2023, Feb). Development of a Molasses-Based Medium for Agrobacterium tumefaciens Fermentation for Application in Plant-Based Recombinant Protein Production. Fermentation 9(2): 149.
24. Hilman Ibnu Mahdi, Nurfadhila Nasya Ramlee, José Leandro da Silva Duarte, Yu-Shen Cheng, Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian, Faisal Amir, Leonardo Hadlich de Oliveira, Nur Izyan Wan Azelee, Lucas Meili, Gayathri Rangasamy (2023, Jan). A comprehensive review on nanocatalysts and nanobiocatalysts for biodiesel production in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil and USA. Chemosphere 319: 138003.
25. Elizabeth Jayex Panakkal, Kraipat Cheenkachorn, Santi Chuetor, Prapakorn Tantayotai, Neelu Raina, Yu-Shen Cheng, Malinee Sriariyanun (2022, Dec). Optimization of deep eutectic solvent pretreatment for bioethanol production from Napier grass. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments 54: 102856.
26. Shu-Hui Liu, Shang-Sian You, Chi-Wen Lin, Yu-Shen Chen (2022, Nov). Optimizing biochar and conductive carbon black composites as cathode catalysts for microbial fuel cells to improve isopropanol removal and power generation. Renewable Energy 199: 1318-1328.
27. Azalea Dyah Maysarah Satya, Wai Yan Cheah, Sara Kazemi Yazdi, Yu-Shen Cheng, Kuan Shiong Khoo, Dai-Viet N Vo, Xuan Dong Bui, Meththika Vithanage, Pau Loke Show (2022, Nov). Progress on microalgae cultivation in wastewater for bioremediation and circular bioeconomy. Environmental Research: 114948.
28. Chi-Wen Lin, Lidia Kristia Alfanti, Yu-Shen Cheng, Shu-Hui Liu (2022, Oct). Enhancing bioelectricity production and copper remediation in constructed single-medium plant sediment microbial fuel cells. DESALINATION 542: 116079.
29. Hong-Kai Huang, Cheng-Hsuan Hsu, Po-Kai Hsu, Yi-Ming Cho, Tzung-Han Chou, and Yu-Shen Cheng* (2022). Preparation and evaluation of particle board from insect rearing residue and rice husks using starch/citric acid mixture as a natural binder. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 12: 633–641.
30. Marttin Paulraj Gundupalli, Santi Chuetor, Kraipat Cheenkachorn, Kittipong Rattanaporn, Pau-Loke Show, Yu-Shen Cheng, Malinee Sriariyanun. (2021, Nov). Interferences of Waxes on Enzymatic Saccharification and Ethanol Production from Lignocellulose Biomass. Bioengineering 8 (11): 171.
31. Marttin Paulraj Gundupalli, Yu-Shen Cheng, Santi Chuetor, Debraj Bhattacharyya, Malinee Sriariyanun. (2021, Nov). Effect of dewaxing on saccharification and ethanol production from different lignocellulosic biomass. Bioresource Technology 339: 125596.
32. Marttin Paulraj Gundupalli, Anne Sahithi ST, Yu-Shen Cheng, Prapakorn Tantayotai, Malinee Sriariyanun. (2021, Nov). Differential effects of inorganic salts on cellulase kinetics in enzymatic saccharification of cellulose and lignocellulosic biomass. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering 44 (11): 2331-2344.
33. Nina Hartini, Thangavel Ponrasu, Jia-Jiuan Wu, Malinee Sriariyanun, and Yu-Shen Cheng* (2021, Aug). Microencapsulation of Curcumin in Crosslinked Jelly Fig Pectin Using Vacuum Spray Drying Technique for Effective Drug Delivery. Polymers 13(16): 2583.
34. Thangavel Ponrasu, Jhao-Syuan Gu, Jia-Jiuan Wu, and Yu-Shen Cheng* (2021, Feb). Evaluation of jelly fig polysaccharide as a shell composite ingredient of colon-specific drug delivery. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology 61: 101679.
35. Thangavel Ponrasu, Bei-Hsin Chen, Tzung-Han Chou, Jia-Jiuan Wu, and Yu-Shen Cheng* (2021, Jan). Fast Dissolving Electrospun Nanofibers Fabricated from Jelly Fig Polysaccharide/Pullulan for Drug Delivery Applications. Polymers 13(2): 241.