Lihong Zhao | Animal husbandry science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof at China Agricultural University, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lihong Zhao is a distinguished researcher in animal nutrition, microbial detoxification, and food safety. With a strong academic background and a prolific research career, she has dedicated her work to the development of innovative biotechnological solutions for mycotoxin degradation in food and feed. She earned her Ph.D. from China Agricultural University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Poultry Science at North Carolina State University. As a peer reviewer for high-impact journals and guest editor for specialized issues, Dr. Zhao contributes to global scientific discourse. Her studies on enzymatic detoxification mechanisms and gut microbiota modulation are groundbreaking, aiming to enhance food safety and animal health. Her innovative research has earned significant funding and broad recognition. Through consistent publication in high-ranking journals and leadership in international research collaborations, Dr. Zhao exemplifies excellence in scientific inquiry and translational research in agricultural and food sciences.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Lihong Zhao holds a rich academic foundation in biology and animal science. She began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology from Shenyang Agricultural University (2000–2004), where she laid the groundwork in biological systems and agricultural sciences. She continued her graduate studies at China Agricultural University, earning both her Master’s (2005–2008) and Ph.D. (2008–2011) in Animal Nutrition and Feed Science. Her doctoral work focused on biochemical and microbiological strategies for enhancing feed safety. She then pursued a prestigious postdoctoral research position in Poultry Science at North Carolina State University, USA (2016–2017), further refining her expertise in mycotoxin detoxification and gut microbiome studies. Her rigorous academic training across top-tier institutions has equipped her with cutting-edge skills in microbiology, enzymology, and nutrition science, all of which form the backbone of her outstanding research career in food safety and toxicology.

Experience

Dr. Zhao has developed a versatile research career blending academia, applied science, and international collaboration. She is an active reviewer for prominent journals including Journal of Hazardous Materials, Food Chemistry, and Food and Chemical Toxicology. As guest editor for Toxins, she led a special issue titled “Novel Strategies for Biodegradation and Detoxification of Mycotoxins,” curating impactful contributions in the field. Her hands-on laboratory experience includes pioneering enzymatic degradation systems using bacterial and fungal agents, optimizing thermostability of degrading enzymes, and evaluating the safety of detoxified food and feed products. She has secured numerous national and provincial grants and has worked on multidisciplinary projects involving gut health, poultry feed improvement, and biosafety applications. Her translational research has significantly influenced animal nutrition practices and food toxicology mitigation strategies. With extensive international exposure and a strong publication record, Dr. Zhao plays a pivotal role in advancing safe and sustainable food systems.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Zhao’s research has been continuously supported and acknowledged by esteemed institutions. She is a multiple grantee of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, supporting her work on zearalenone degradation, enzyme evolution, and aflatoxin detoxification. She has received grants from the Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation, the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China, and international cooperation programs including China’s 948 Project. Her work under the National Key Technology R&D Program and China Agriculture Research System has led to practical advancements in feed detoxification and animal health. Dr. Zhao’s studies are widely cited and featured in high-impact journals, reflecting her influence in microbiological detoxification. She is also recognized for her contributions to academia through editorial roles and peer review. These accolades reflect her leadership in solving critical challenges in agricultural biotechnology, making her a leading candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Research Focus

Dr. Zhao’s research centers on microbial and enzymatic detoxification of mycotoxins, especially zearalenone and aflatoxins in food and animal feed. She focuses on isolating and engineering microbial strains (e.g., Bacillus subtilis, Pelagibacterium, Acinetobacter) and identifying novel degrading enzymes like laccases, hydrolases, and reductases. Her work explores the molecular mechanisms of detoxification and their physiological impact on animals. She also investigates gut microbiota modulation using bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides and flavonoids to combat toxin-induced liver and reproductive damage. Her contributions are deeply interdisciplinary, bridging microbiology, animal nutrition, toxicology, and food safety. With a strong emphasis on sustainable agriculture, her innovations enhance animal health, food security, and environmental protection. Dr. Zhao’s forward-looking research provides both mechanistic insights and real-world applications, leading to the development of enzyme-based detoxifiers and dietary interventions to protect consumers and livestock from harmful toxins.

Publication Top Notes

• 2025 📖 Liu et al. Int J Biol Macromol, 309:142942 — Thermostability of DON-degrading enzyme 🧬

• 2025 📖 Liu et al. Food Microbiol, 130:104770 — Alternariol degradation by B. pacificus 🦠

• 2025 📖 Wang et al. Food & Function — Ferulic acid mitigates AFB1 damage 🌾

• 2024 📖 Wang et al. Food Chem Toxicol, 191:114887 — Rutin prevents ZEN-induced inflammation 🍋

• 2024 📖 Guo et al. Int J Biol Macromol, 282:137403 — OTA degradation by A. baumannii 🧫

• 2024 📖 Ma et al. J Anim Sci Biotechnol, 15:138 — CotA laccase enhances duck health 🦆

• 2024 📖 Guo et al. Int J Biol Macromol, 260:129664 — Soybean hull peroxidase as biocatalyst 🌱

• 2024 📖 Fu et al. Int J Biol Macromol, 271:132371 — AFB1 inflammation alleviation in ducks 🦢

• 2024 📖 Liu et al. Foods, 13:1064 — Detoxifying 3-keto-DON in P. halotolerans 🔬

• 2024 📖 Sayed et al. Toxins, 16:121 — Rutin’s effect on ZEN-induced reproductive toxicity 🧬

• 2024 📖 Liu et al. Int J Mol Sci, 25:6455 — Enhanced CotA-laccase for AFB1 degradation 🧪

• 2024 📖 Liu et al. Int J Mol Sci — Zearalenone lactone hydrolase discovery 🔍

• 2024 📖 Guo et al. Foods, 13:3702 — Enzymatic Aflatoxin M1 removal from milk 🥛

Conclusion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lihong Zhao’s remarkable contributions to food safety, animal nutrition, and bioremediation place her at the forefront of agricultural biotechnology research. Her interdisciplinary work, from microbial enzyme discovery to animal health studies, addresses urgent global challenges in food toxicology. With high-impact publications, influential research funding, and leadership roles in scientific publishing, she exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher. Dr. Zhao is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award in recognition of her scientific excellence, societal impact, and commitment to sustainable innovation.