Dr Gao has broad and deep knowledge of Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Microbiology and Synthetic Biology. She initially studied a degree in Chemical Engineering at Tsinghua University, China; then completed her PhD in the Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, to engineer Candida tropicalis for the bioproduction of dicarboxylic acid, using tools of molecular biology and metabolic engineering.

After receiving her PhD degree, Dr Gao worked at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, as an Assistant Professor, then promoted to Associate Professor. In this period, she collaborated with industry partners to optimise the process of natural product biosynthesis.

In 2011, funded by the Marie-Curie International Incoming Fellowship, Dr Gao joined the group of Professor Rebecca Goss (initially at University of East Anglia, then moved to St Andrews in 2012). Then she developed her expertise in synthetic biology as a Research Associate at University of Edinburgh and University of York, before she joined Teesside University as a Lecturer in Biology from January 2019.

Natural product discovery and biosynthesis

Synthetic biology

Bioproduction optimisation

Hong currently leads the module Food Biotechnology, as well as lecturing on other modules within the School of Science, Engineering and Design, Teesside University.

We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study or Post-doc research. Informal enquiries relating to research opportunities are welcomed.

PhD opportunities: Scholarships allow you to search for funded PhD opportunities

Post-doc research: We welcome applications from individuals who wish to apply for fellowships such as Marie Curie, Newton International Fellowships, etc.