Oon Yoong Sin

Dr. Oon Yoong Sin
PhD, BEng (Hons)
Civil & Construction Engineering 
Lecturer

Contact Details
Telephone: + 60 85 630100 Ext. 2510
Fax: +60 85 630288
Location: Skylark 3 (SK3) Room 321
Email: yoongsin.oon@curtin.edu.my

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=tlmgbNIAAAAJ
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yoong-Sin-Oon
SCOPUS: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56574159400
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6581-8194 
Web of Science: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/AAK-2103-2020

Background

Dr. Oon Yoong Sin holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering and her research focuses on sustainable wastewater treatment systems, particularly photosynthetic bioelectrochemical systems, including microbial fuel cells and microalgae-based systems. Her work integrates environmental engineering principles with microbial metabolism and electrochemical processes to elucidate nutrient transformation pathways, enhance resource recovery, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in low-carbon wastewater treatment systems. She is also a recipient of the President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) awarded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and has industry experience as a research scientist that enhances the translational relevance of her research.

Academic History

  • PhD in Environmental Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2019
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) (First Class Honours), Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2013

Academic Appointment 

  • 2026 – Present: Lecturer in Department of Civil and Construction, Curtin Malaysia
  • 2022-2025 – Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Industry Appointment

  • 2022-2025 – Research Scientist – Project Management Office, Kossan Rubber Industries Berhad, Malaysia.

Research Interests

  • Photosynthetic bioelectrochemical systems
  • Microalgae-based environmental technologies
  • Greenhouse gas mitigation
  • Sustainable wastewater treatment
  • Nitrogen cycling
  • Bioenergy and resource recovery

Awards

  • President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) by Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Highest Impact Factor Journal Award by Universiti Malaysia Perlis
  • Excellent Youth Recipient for Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science
  • Full scholarship for Asia Summer Program at Dongseo University, South Korea

Publications

A. Journal publications

  1. Oon Y.-S.1, Oon Y.-L.1, Ayaz M., Wang Y., Deng M., Li L., Song K.*, Wu F. 2025. Microalgae-bacteria synergy in photosynthetic bio-electrochemical systems supports nitrogen transformation, microbial dynamics and greenhouse gas mitigation. Communications Earth & Environment, 6, 884. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02815-y
  2. Ayaz M., Oon Y.-L., Oon Y.-S, Deng M., Li L., Song K.*, 2025. Potassium modulating aquatic microbial processes: Dynamics of nitrogen cycling and nitrous oxide. Environmental Reviews. [Accepted Manuscript]
  3. Ayaz M., Oon Y.-S, Oon Y.-L., Khan K., Deng M., Li L., Song K.*, Jiang X., Xia Z. 2025. Microplastics transport and impact on nitrogen cycling and N2O emissions in estuaries. Environmental Pollution, 383, 126869.
  4. Deng, M., Yeerken, S., Wang, Y., Li, L., Li, Z., Oon, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Xue, Y., He, X., Zhao, X., and Song, K*. (2024). Greenhouse gases emissions from aquaculture ponds: Different emission patterns and key microbial processes affected by increased nitrogen loading. The Science of Total Environment. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172108
  5. Abate R, Oon Y.-S.*, Oon Y.-L., Bi Y.* (2024) Microalgae-bacteria nexus for environmental remediation and renewable energy resources: advances, mechanisms and biotechnological applications. Heliyon, e31170. DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31170
  6. Abate R, Oon Y.-L., Oon Y.-S., Mi, W., Song, G, Gao, Y., Bi Y.* (2024) Diverse interactions between bacteria and microalgae: A review for enhancing harmful algal bloom mitigation and biomass processing efficiency. Heliyon 10, 17, e36503. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36503
  7. Oon Y.-L1, Oon Y.-S1, Ayaz M, Deng M., Li L., Song K.*, 2023. Waterborne pathogens detection technologies: advances, challenges, and future perspectives. Frontier in Microbiology. 14:1286923.
  8. Wang, Y, Deng M, Li B, Li L., Oon Y.-S., Zhao, X., Song K.*, 2023. High nitrous oxide (N2O) greenhouse gas reduction potential of Pseudomonas sp. YR02 under aerobic condition. Bioresource Technology, 378, 128994.
  9. Yap, K.-L., Ho, L.-N*., Guo, K., Liew, Y.-M., Lutpi, NA, Azhari, AW, Oon, Y.-S., Thor, S.-H., S.-M. Teoh, Ong, S.-A., 2023. Exploring the potential of metal oxide as cathodic catalysis in a double chambered microbial fuel cell for phenol removal and power generation. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 53, 103639.
  10. Oon, Y.-S., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., 2021. Innovative Baffled Microbial Fuel Cells for Azo Dye Degradation: Interactive Mechanisms of Electron Transport and Degradation Pathway. Journal of Cleaner Production, 295, 126366.
  11. Yap, K.-L., Ho, L.-N.*, Ong, S.-A., Guo, K., Y.-M. Liew, Oon, Y.-S., Ong, Y.-P., Thor, S.-H., S.-M. Tan, T.-P. Teoh, 2021. Microbial fuel cell for simultaneous caffeine removal and bioelectricity generation under various operational conditions in the anodic and cathodic chambers. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 25, 1021158
  12. Oon, Y.-L., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Dahalan, F.A., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., Nordin, N., 2020. Constructed wetland – microbial fuel cell for azo dyes degradation and energy recovery: Influence of molecular structure, kinetics, mechanisms and degradation pathways. Science of the Total Environment, 720, 137370.
  13. Yap, K.-L., Ho, L.-N.*, Ong, S.-A., Guo, K., Oon, Y.-S., Ong, Y.-P., Thor, S.-H., 2020. Crucial roles of aeration and catalyst on caffeine removal and bioelectricity generation in a double chambered microbial fuel cell integrated electrocatalytic process. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 104636.
  14. Teoh, T.-P., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S., Thung, W.-E., Tan, S.-M., 2020. Up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell: Influence of floating plant, aeration and circuit connection on wastewater treatment performance and bioelectricity generation. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 36, 101371.
  15. Thung, W.-E., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.N., Wong, Y.-S., Ridwan, F., Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., 2019. Enhancement of mass and charge transport in scaled-up microbial fuel cell by using innovative configuration of bioanode. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 16, 8175-8184.
  16. Lehl, H.K., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N, Wong, Y.-S, Saad, F.N.M., Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S., Thung, W.-E., 2019. Decolourisation and mineralization of Acid Red 27 metabolites by using multiple zoned aerobic and anaerobic constructed wetland reactor, Desalination and Water Treatment, 160, 81–93.
  17. Oon, Y.-L., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Dahalan, F.A., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., Nordin, N., 2018. Up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell for azo dye, saline, nitrate remediation and bioelectricity generation: From waste to energy approach. Bioresource Technology, 266, 97–108.
  18. Oon, Y.-S., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., Nordin, N., 2018. Disclosing the synergistic mechanisms of azo dye degradation and bioelectricity generation in a microbial fuel cell, Chemical Engineering Journal, 344, 236–245.
  19. Thung, W.-E., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Ridwan, F., Lehl, H.K., Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S., 2018. Biodegradation of Acid Orange 7 in a combined anaerobic-aerobic up-flow membrane-less microbial fuel cell: Mechanism of biodegradation and electron transfer. Chemical Engineering Journal, 336, 397–405.
  20. Oon, Y.-S., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., 2017. Microbial fuel cell operation using nitrate as terminal electron acceptor for simultaneous organic and nutrient removal. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 14, 2435–2442.
  21. Oon, Y.-L., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Dahalan, F.A., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., Nordin, N., 2017. Role of macrophyte and effect of supplementary aeration in up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery. Bioresource Technology, 224, 265–275.
  22. Thung, W.-E., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Ridwan, F., Oon, Y.L., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., 2017. Sustainable green technology on wastewater treatment: The evaluation of enhanced single chambered up-flow membrane-less microbial fuel cell. Journal of Environmental Sciences (China), 295-300.
  23. Nordin, N., Ho, L.-N., Ong, S.-A.*, Ibrahim, A.H., Wong, Y.-S., Lee, S.L., Oon, Y.-S., Oon, Y.L., 2017. Hybrid system of photocatalytic fuel cell and Fenton process for electricity generation and degradation of Reactive Black 5. Separation and Purification Technology, 177, 135–141.
  24. Nordin, N., Ho, L.-N.*, Ong, S.-A., Ibrahim, A.H., Wong, Y.-S., Lee, S.-L., Oon, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., 2017. Influence of Amaranth dye concentration on the efficiency of hybrid system of photocatalytic fuel cell and Fenton process. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24, 23331–23340.
  25. Lehl, H.K., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Saad, F.N.M., Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S., Thung, W.-E., Yong, C.-Y., 2017. Decolorization and mineralization of Amaranth dye using multiple zoned aerobic and anaerobic baffled constructed wetland. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 19, 725–731.
  26. Oon, Y.-L., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Dahalan, F.A., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., 2016. Synergistic effect of up-flow constructed wetland and microbial fuel cell for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery. Bioresource Technology, 203, 190–197.
  27. Lehl, H.K., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S, Saad, F.N.M., Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S., Yong, C.-Y., Thung, W.-E., 2016. Multiple aerobic and anaerobic baffled constructed wetlands for simultaneous nitrogen and organic compounds removal. Desalination and Water Treatment, 57:60, 29160-29167
  28. Thung, W.-E., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Ridwan, F., Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., 2016. Bioelectricity Generation in Batch-Fed Up-Flow Membrane-Less Microbial Fuel Cell: Effect of Surface Morphology of Carbon Materials as Aqeuous Biocathodes. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 227, 254.
  29. Oon, Y.-S., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., Nordin, N., 2016. Microbial fuel cell operation using monoazo and diazo dyes as terminal electron acceptor for simultaneous decolourisation and bioelectricity generation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 325, 170–177.
  30. Oon, Y.-S., Ong, S.-A., Ho, L.-N.*, Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., 2016. Long-term operation of double chambered microbial fuel cell for bio-electro denitrification. Bioprocess and Biosystem Engineering, 39, 893–900.
  31. Oon, Y.-L., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., 2015. Hybrid system up-flow constructed wetland integrated with microbial fuel cell for simultaneous wastewater treatment and electricity generation. Bioresource Technology, 186, 270–275.
  32. Thung, W.-E., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.N., Wong, Y.-S., Ridwan, F., Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., 2015. A highly efficient single chambered up-flow membrane-less microbial fuel cell for treatment of azo dye Acid Orange 7-containing wastewater. Bioresource Technology, 197, 284–288.
  33. Thung, W.-E., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., 2015. Simultaneous Wastewater Treatment and Power Generation with Innovative Design of an Upflow Membrane-Less Microbial Fuel Cell. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 226,165.

B. Conference Proceedings

  1. Oon, Y.-S., Oon Y.-L., Deng M., Li L., Song K., From Wastewater to Watts and Warning: Photosynthetic Microbial Fuel Cell for Treatment, Energy and Biosensing. IWA Conference on Water & Wastewater Management, with special focus on Developing Countries, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, December 4th – 8th, 2023.
  2. Oon, Y.-S., Ong, S.-A., Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., Simultaneous Dye Decolourization and Bioelectricity Production Using a Baffled Microbial Fuel Cell, The 18th UK-International Water Association Young Water Professional (UKIWAYWP) Conference 2017, Bath, United Kingdom, April 10th – 12th, 2017.
  3. Oon, Y.-S., Ong, S.-A., Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., Simultaneous Azo Dye Decolourization, Organic Removal and Bioelectricity Generation by Using a Double Chambered Biocathode Microbial Fuel Cell, The 5th Asian Conference on Innovative Energy and Environmental Chemical Engineering, Yokohama, Japan,
    November 13th – 16th, 2016.
  4. Oon, Y.-S., Ong, S.-A., Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-L., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., Study on Double Chambered Microbial Fuel Cell for Electricity Generation and Wastewater Treatment, The 2nd International Water Association (IWA) Malaysia Young Water Professionals Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 17th – 20th, 2015.

Research Grants/Funding

  1. National Natural Science Foundation China (NSFC), Research Fund for International Young Scientists (RFIS-I). 400,000 CNY. Principal Investigator.
  2. Hubei Province Innovation Research Grant. 60,000 CNY. Principal Investigator.

Invited Forum, Workshop & Presentation

  1. International Training Course on Aquatic Biological Identification and eDNA Data Analysis 2025, Wuhan, China, 16th – 29th November, 2025.
  2. The First Regional Youth Forum for Asia Pacific for Man and Biosphere UNESCO 2023, Jixi, Heilongjiang, China, 24th – 27th September, 2023.
  3. International Workshop on Constructed Wetland – Microbial Fuel Cell Technology (IWONCW-MFC), Xi’an, China, 5th – 7th July, 2017.
  4. The 2nd Malaysia-Netherlands Water Dialogue – Sharing of Best Practices on Water Management in Malaysia and the Netherlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2nd October, 2019.
  5. Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Webinar organised by UCSI University Engineering Department, 28th August, 2021.

Professional Activities

  • Reviewer for Water Research, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Chemosphere, Science of Total Environment, Journal of Water Process Engineering, Environmental Pollution, Discover Electrochemistry, Water Conservation Science and Engineering, World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Archives of Microbiology
  • Reviewer for the International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Engineering 2023
  • Delegate of 40th World Youth Rally: Environment and Peace Forum, Yonsei University, South Korea.

Professional Associations

  • Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) – Graduate Engineer
  • Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) – Graduate Member