About
Professor Chengrong Chen is a distinguished academic at Griffith University, holding the title of Distinguished Professor in the School of Environment and Science, specializing in Chemistry and Forensic Science. His primary affiliation is with the Australian Rivers Institute and the former Environmental Futures Research Institute. He has been a key leader in soil biogeochemistry research, currently heading the Soil Environmental Biogeochemistry Research Group and the 4R Waste Hub. His academic journey includes a BSc from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, an MSc from the University of Waikato (1997), and a PhD in Biogeochemistry from Lincoln University (2000).
**Research Interests**: Prof. Chen’s work focuses on biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nutrients, soil carbon sequestration, microplastics in agroecosystems, waste recycling, and ecosystem restoration. His recent projects include leading the $140M Solving Plastic Waste CRC and securing over $20M in competitive grants from ARC, CRC, and ACIAR. He has published over 210 peer-reviewed articles, with a strong focus on high-impact journals in soil science, ecology, and environmental science.
**Awards & Grants**: He was awarded an ARC Future Fellowship (2009–2014) and serves as Research Director of the Solving Plastic Waste CRC. His grants span soil health, organic waste management, and climate resilience. He has supervised 22 PhD students (18 as principal supervisor) and currently guides 10 PhD candidates and 7 postdoctoral researchers.
**Teaching**: He convenes courses in Earth Systems (1044SCG) and Land Degradation Management (3441ENV), emphasizing practical applications in environmental science. His lab focuses on innovative solutions for soil sustainability, including developing moisture-retaining materials and microbial carriers from waste.
