Prof. Ling JIN, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been honoured with the James J. Morgan Early Career Award 2026. Prof. JIN stands out as one of the four winners from the Asia-Pacific region for 2026, in recognition of his contributions to advancing environmental science and technology through forward-thinking and innovative approaches.
Given annually by Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T), ES&T Letters, and the Environmental Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS), this award recognises the ingenuity and creativity of the next generation of environmental scientists who are providing solutions to global challenges across diverse fields.
Prof. JIN is an emerging leader in environmental science and technology whose pioneering work bridges disciplines to address complex global issues. His research lies at the intersections of environmental chemistry, microbiology, and toxicology, with a focus on ecological and human health impacts of air pollution, marine pollution, and solid waste.
His contributions include creating the first full-length 18S database for harmful algae and establishing cell lines for the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (also known as the Chinese white dolphin), enabling quantification of the combined effects of algal toxins and anthropogenic pollutants on dolphin health. His work on air quality and PM2.5 has provided a foundation for improving regulatory policies through novel mixture-toxicity modelling.
In addition, Prof. JIN developed a global atlas of plastic-associated bacteria, advancing understanding of their impacts on ecosystems, climate, and human–plant–animal health. He also introduced the concept of “microplastome” to enable a holistic study of physical, chemical, and microbial dimensions of plastic pollution. His interdisciplinary research continues to generate innovative solutions to protect biodiversity, ecosystem services, and public health.
Lately, he received the 2025 TSI Asian Young Aerosol Scientist Award from the Asian Aerosol Research Assembly, recognising his contributions to advancing mixture-toxicity modelling and uncovering chemical-microbial drivers of PM2.5 health risks.
Furthermore, his project “Advanced Single-Particle Mass Spectrometer to Uncover Hidden Aerosol Complexity Impacting Health and Climate” has been awarded the Research Grants Council's 2025/26 Collaborative Research Equipment Grant, with the aim of strengthening evidence-based air quality management.
Learn more about Prof. JIN’s achievement:
PolyU research unveils hidden microbial threats to ecosystem caused by plastic waste, urging global collaboration to track harmful microbiomes
PolyU scholar's impactful interdisciplinary environmental research honored by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists
Unveiling the Real Culprit Behind Climate Change: New Insights into Black Carbon (Innovation Digest)
