معرفی
Aixin Hou serves as Professor and Shell Professor in Oceanography/Wetland Studies within the Department of Environmental Sciences at Louisiana State University, specializing in microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and water quality dynamics in coastal and wetland ecosystems. Her work addresses critical environmental challenges including oil spill impacts, hurricane-related contamination, and climate change effects on vulnerable habitats.
Her academic credentials include:
- B.S.Sc. Microbiology, Peking University, China, 1989
- Ph.D. Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Ghent University, Belgium, 1997
Dr. Hou's research integrates field studies and laboratory analyses to investigate microbial community responses to anthropogenic disturbances. Key areas include hydrocarbon degradation in oil-impacted marshes, greenhouse gas fluxes from peatlands under freeze-thaw cycles, and nutrient cycling in reclaimed coastal zones. Her methodologies combine molecular techniques with ecosystem-scale observations to assess recovery trajectories and resilience mechanisms.
Her publication record demonstrates sustained focus on Deepwater Horizon spill consequences, revealing multi-year recovery patterns in Gulf Coast salt marsh biota and sediment chemistry. Parallel work in Northeast China examines climate feedback loops through methane emissions from thawing permafrost wetlands, while studies in the Yellow River Delta explore invasive species adaptation under combined hydrological and salinity stress.
Her distinguished honors comprise:
- Tiger Athletic Foundation Teaching Award, Louisiana State University (2015)
- The Rana Athar Memorial Lectureship, Florida A&M University (2015)
- Pearson Sustainable Solutions Award (2009)
- Tiger Athletic Foundation Teaching Award, Louisiana State University (2009)
- Phi Kappa Phi Non-tenured Faculty Award (2006)
- Eco-Frontier Fellowship, Japanese Environmental Agency (1998, 1999)
- DIAO Distinguished Research Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences (1996, 1997)
- NOVO Excellent Graduate Award (1996)
While specific grant details and advisee information are not documented in available materials, her extensive collaborative publications indicate active research funding and mentorship across international institutions. Dr. Hou directs field investigations spanning the Gulf of Mexico, Yellow River Delta, and Northeast China peatlands, employing teams that bridge microbiology, biogeochemistry, and remote sensing to advance wetland conservation science.
