Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering

Joshua Chan, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, August 29, 2018

Joshua Chan

Assistant Professor, Chemical & Biological Engineering

Dr. Joshua Chan obtained his Bachelor of Science in mathematics and physics at the University of Hong Kong and Master of Philosophy in computational systems biology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He finished his Ph. D. in 2015 under the supervision of Peter Ruhdal Jensen at the Technical University of Denmark.

Prior to joining CSU, Dr. Chan worked as a postdoctoral research scholar in Costas Maranas’s group at the Pennsylvania State University.

Contact Information

Resources

Research Interests

Dr. Chan’s research focuses on modeling and engineering microbiomes, which have a huge impact on the earth ecosystem and the life form therein, from the global geochemical cycle, soil and plant health, to human immune systems. In the post-genomics era, the availability of genome sequences and multi-omics data presents a unique opportunity to construct systems biological models to understand and predict microbiomes in terms of their evolution, stability and biochemical functions under various physiochemical environments.

Ultimately, natural and synthetic microbiomes can be manipulated and constructed for addressing global challenges including food security, climate change, human diseases and sustainable chemical productions.

Education

  • B.S. 2008, The University of Hong kong
  • M.Phil. 2011, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Ph.D. 2015, Technical University of Denmark

Honors and Awards

  • 2020 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards in Engineering and Applied Science

Dr. Chan is currently recruiting Ph.D. students to join his lab.

Projects will focus on engineering microbiomes through integrative modeling and experimental approaches. There will be opportunities to study microbiomes in natural and engineered systems in collaboration with other experts across and beyond the campus.

Students from various disciplines in science and engineering are welcome, e.g., biochemistry, microbiology, bioengineering, chemical engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science. While it is not usual for a student to have background in all of the above areas, a strong motivation to cross disciplinary boundaries, conduct interdisciplinary collaborative research, and generate original ideas is highly valued.

Interested students please apply through CSU Graduate School and are encouraged to contact Dr. Chan.