Weilan Zhang is a former Ph.D. student of Prof. Ma and currently he is a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Irene Lo’s Laboratory at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Weilan’s Ph.D. research focused on the interactions between engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and plants, as well as the fate and transport of ENPs in soil. Weilan comprehensively and quantitatively assessed the potential risks of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) to a belowground vegetable (radish) in both hydroponic and soil systems. The results demonstrate that the surface charge of CeO2NPs, the aging process of CeO2NPs in soil, and soil properties, including the soil texture, mineral content, and organic matter content, are all important factors governing the fractionation of CeO2NPs in soil and subsequent bioavailability to radish.
