Han Liu

Han Liu, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), affiliated with the College for Health, Community and Policy and the Department of Sociology and Demography. Their research bridges environmental science and biogeochemistry, focusing on coastal ecosystems, microplastics, and organic matter dynamics.

• Specializes in marine pollution and organic biogeochemistry
• Recipient of the BTF Post Doctoral Fellowship
• Active in analyzing oil spill impacts and plastic contamination

Research interests include:

• Chemical evolution of dissolved/particulate organic matter in marine environments
• Microplastic contamination and pollutant transport in coastal areas
• Impact of climate extremes (hurricanes, droughts) on estuarine geochemistry
• Photochemical and microbial degradation of hydrocarbons
• Development of analytical methods for environmental monitoring

Key trends in publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining field studies, laboratory experiments, and advanced analytical techniques (mass spectrometry, ion mobility, ramped pyrolysis) to address coastal pollution from oil spills, microplastics, and nutrient cycling.

Scientific awards:

• BTF Post Doctoral Fellowship