Wei Shi

Dr. Wei Shi is an Associate Department Head and Professor in the Department of Soil Microbiology & Ecology at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on the biochemical, physiological, and ecological functions of soil and environmental microorganisms, aiming to apply this knowledge to sustain agriculture and the environment. Current emphases include soil microbial community structure and nitrogen cycling. He leads interdisciplinary initiatives such as the NC Plant Sciences Initiative and collaborates with the CASM group across multiple departments.

His research interests span microbial community dynamics, nitrogen transformation processes, and the impact of human activities (e.g., foot traffic) on soil microbiomes. He explores innovative approaches like multi-amplicon gene standards to quantify nitrogen-cycling microbes and investigates biochar’s role in mitigating greenhouse gases. Recent work also addresses drought impacts on plant microbiomes and post-glacial soil development effects on microbial functioning.

Publications highlight trends in understanding microbial responses to environmental stressors, agricultural interventions, and ecosystem processes. His work integrates biophysical mechanisms, metagenomic/metabolomic analyses, and interdisciplinary collaborations to address complex environmental challenges. Dr. Shi’s research has implications for sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and ecological restoration.

He participates in groups like the BioChar Optimization and Saltwater Intrusion projects, applying soil science to real-world agricultural and environmental stewardship. His lab’s work spans from fundamental microbiology to applied solutions for carbon sequestration and soil health.