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Faculty of Engineering Technology & Built Environment
Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment

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Assistant Professor Dr Oon Yoong Ling

Assistant Professor

Academic Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Environmental Engineering)
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Environmental Engineering)

Areas of Interest
Sustainable bioelectrochemical systems for wastewater treatment and greenhouse gas mitigation
Constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell, sediment MFC
Degradation pathway of emerging pollutants
Circular economy, resource recovery treatment systems
Greenhouse gas (N₂O, CH₄, and CO₂) mitigation
Industrial wastewater treatment
Nitrogen transformation pathways
Circular Economy and Resource Recovery
Professional Bodies

1. Board of Engineer Malaysia (Graduate Engineer)

2. Institute of Engineers Malaysia (Graduate Engineer)

3. Malaysian Innovation and Design Society (Lifetime Member)

Research

Research Grant (on-going / completed)

 

1. Name of grant: Research Fund for International Scientists

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

Grant Number: 22250410271 Reference Number: B0406

Project Title: The Integration and Synergism of Constructed Wetlands and Microbial Fuel Cells for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Recovery

Role: Principal Investigator

Amount: CNY 400,000

Status: Completed

 

2. Name of grant: Hubei Provincial Innovation Research Grant

Funder: Hubei Provincial Government

Project Title: Sediment Microbial Fuel cell: Innovation in lake remediation, nitrogen cycling and energy recovery

Role: Principal Investigator

Amount: CNY 60,000

Status: Completed

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.
  2. 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 remediation and energy recovery: Influence of molecular structure, kinetics, mechanisms and degradation pathways. The Science of Total Environment, 137370
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 wetl and and microbial fuel cell for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery. Bioresource Technology, 203, 190–197.
  6. 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.
  7. Oon, Y.L.1, Oon, Y.S1., Ayaz, M., Deng, M., Li, L. and Song, K*. (2023) Waterborne pathogens detection technologies: advances, challenges, and future perspectives. Frontier Microbiology. 14:1286923. Doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1286923
  8. 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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126869
  9. 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 Review. https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2025-0148
  10. 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.
  11. 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
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. Teoh, T.P., Ong, S.A.*, Ho L.N, Wong Y.S., Lutpi, N.A., Oon Y.L., Tan, S.M., Ong, Y.P., Yap, K.L., 2022. Caffeine-containing wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation in up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell: Influence of caffeine concentration, operating conditions, toxicity assessment, and degradation pathway. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 46, 102623.
  21. Teoh, T.P., Ong, S.A.*, Ho L.N, Wong Y.S., Lutpi, N.A., Oon Y.L., Tan, S.M., Ong, Y.P., Yap, K.L., 2023. Insights into the decolorization of mono and diazo dyes in single and binary dyes containing wastewater and electricity generation in up-flow constructed wetland coupled microbial fuel cell, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30 (7), 17546—17563.
  22. 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
  23. 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. (IF: 9.7; Cited by 89)
  24. Thung, W.-E., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, 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, 295-300.
  25. 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.
  26. Thung, W.-E., Ong, S.-A.*, Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Ridwan, F., 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. 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. Decolourization and mineralization of Acid Red 27 metabolites by using multiple zoned aerobic and anaerobic constructed wetland reactor, Desalination and Water Treatment, 160, 81–93.z

Conferences

1. Oon, Y.-L., Oon, Y.-S, Den, M., Li, L., Song K., (2023). Sediment microbial fuel cells: innovations in wastewater treatment, energy recovery and nitrogen cycling, Oral presentation delivered at IWA Conference on Water & Wastewater Management, with special focus on Developing Countries, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, 4-8th December, 2023.

2. Oon, Y.-L., Ong, S.-A., Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., (2017). From waste to energy: Sustainable wastewater treatment using up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell, Oral presentation delivered at The 18th UK-International Water Association Young Water Professional Conference 2017, Bath, United Kingdom, 10-12th April, 2017.

3. Oon, Y.-L., Ong, S.-A., Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., (2017). Up-flow Constructed Wetland-Microbial Fuel Cell (UFCW-MFC) in promoting Sustainable Wastewater Treatment, Oral presentation delivered at International Workshop on Constructed Wetland – Microbial Fuel Cell Technology (IWonCW-MFC), Xi’an, China, 5-7th July, 2017.

4. Oon, Y.-L., Ong, S.-A., Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., (2016). Successful operation of up-flow constructed wetland - microbial fuel cell (UFCW-MFC) in promoting sustainable wastewater treatment and bioelectricity production, Oral presentation delivered at The 5th Asian Conference on Innovative Energy and Environmental Chemical Engineering (ASCONIEEChE), Yokohama, Japan, 13-16th October, 2016.

5. Oon, Y.-L., Ong, S.-A., Ho, L.-N., Wong, Y.-S., Dahalan, F.A., Oon, Y.-S., Lehl, H.K., Thung, W.-E., (2015). Simultaneous wastewater treatment and electricity generation by using a novel hybrid system up-flow constructed wetland - microbial fuel cell, Oral presentation delivered at The 2nd International Water Association Malaysia, Young Water Professionals Conference 2015, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 17–20th March, 2015.

Editorial Board

Reviewer for Journals:

1. Environmental Science & Technology

2. Critical Review in Biotechnology

3. Science of Total Environment

4. Scientific Report

5. Chemosphere

6. Environmental Science Advances

7. Journal of Water Process Engineering

8. Journal of Energy Research

9. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy

10. ACS Agricultural Science & Technology

11. ACS Infectious Diseases

12. SN Applied Science

13. Environmental Technology

Awards and Recognitions

1. International Young Expert Initiative Award and Sponsorship awarded by Ministry of Science and Technology China (200,000 CNY).

2. President's International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) awarded by Chinese Academy of Sciences (500,000 CNY)

3. UniMAP Highest Accumulated Impact Factor Journals Award

4. UniMAP Highest Quartile1 (Q1) Journals Award

5. Excellent Youth Recipient for Japan Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science.

6. Gold Award & Special Award in the International Innovation & Invention Expo, Macau, China.

7. Gold Award & PINTAS Intellectual Property Award in the International Engineering Invention & Innovation Exhibition, Perlis, Malaysia.

8. Silver Award in Malaysia Technology Expo.

9. JPA Scholarship

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