Shuangying Yu, PhD

Biology, Central Piedmont Community College

I have a doctoral degree in Environmental Toxicology and I am currently a faculty member in the Sciences Division at Central Piedmont. After working for industry as an ecological risk assessor for a year, I changed career path and started teaching at Queen University of Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College as adjunct faculty. Over the past few years, I believe I've found something I'm really passionate about, teaching and helping students! I guess this is what I'm destined to do for the rest of my life lol! I'm currently a faculty member in Biology at Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC. Courses I've taught include Intro Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Environmental Science. I also love mentoring students on undergrad research and I constantly look for students who have great interest in doing research and creating new knowledge!

Education

Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University
M.S. in Zoology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
M.S. in Ecology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
B.S. in Wildlife Conservation, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China

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Publications

Yu S, Wages M. 2021. Investigating the Joint Effects of Pesticides and Ultraviolet B Radiation in Xenopus laevis and Other Amphibians. In: Environmental Toxicology and Toxicogenomics: Principles, Methods, and Applications. Pan X and Zhang B (Eds). Humana Press.

Yu S, Bryant HA, Seaman JC, Looney BB, Blas SD, Bryan AL. 2020. Legacy Contaminants in Aquatic Biota in a Stream Associated with Nuclear Weapons Material Production on the Savannah River Site. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 79: 131-146.

Weir, S., Yu, S., Scott, D.E., Lance, S.L. 2019. Acute toxicity of copper to the larval stage of three species of ambystomatid salamanders. Ecotoxicology, 28(9), 1023-1031.

Chen, Y., Yu, S., Tang, S., Li, Y., Liu, H., Zhang, X., Su, G., Li, B., Yu, H., Giesy, H.P. 2016. Site-specific water quality criteria for aquatic ecosystems: A case study of pentachlorophenol for Tai Lake, China. Science of the Total Environment 541: 65-73. Download PDF.

Weir, S.M., Yu, S., Knox, A., Talent, L.G., Monks, J.M., Salice, C.J. 2016. Acute toxicity and risk to lizards of rodenticides and herbicides commonly used in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 40: 342-350.

Weir, S.M., Yu, S., Talent, L.G., Maul, J.D., Anderson, T.A., Salice, C.J. 2015. Improving reptile ecological risk assessment: Oral and dermal toxicity of pesticides to a common lizard species (Sceloporus occidentalis). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 34: 1778-1786. Download PDF.

Yu, S., Tang, S., Mayer, G.D., Cobb, G.P., Maul, J.D. 2015. Interactive effects of ultraviolet-B radiation and pesticide exposure on DNA photo-adduct accumulation and expression of DNA damage and repair genes in Xenopus laevis embryos. Aquatic Toxicology 159: 256-266. Abstract.

Tang, S., Wu, Y., Ryan, C.N., Yu, S., Qin, G., Donn, E., Mayer, G.D. 2014. Distinct expression profiles of stress defense and DNA repair genes in Daphnia pulex exposed to cadmium, zinc, and quantum dots. Chemosphere 120C: 92-99. Download PDF.

Wang, J., Wages, M., Yu, S., Maul, J.D., Mayer, G. Hope-Weeks, L. Cobb, G.P. 2014. Bioaccumulation of fullerene (C60) and corresponding catalase elevation in Lumbriculus variegatus. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 33: 1135-1141. Abstract.

Yu, S., Weir S.M., Cobb, G.P., Maul J.D. 2014. The effects of pesticide exposure on ultraviolet-B radiation avoidance behavior in tadpoles. Science of the Total Environment 481: 75-80. Download PDF.

Yu, S., Wages, M., Cobb, G.P., Maul J.D. 2013. Effects of chlorothalonil on development and growth of amphibian embryos and larvae. Environmental Pollution 181: 329-334. Abstract.

Yu, S., Wages, M., Cai, Q., Maul, J.D., Cobb, G.P. 2013. Lethal and sublethal effects of three insecticides on two developmental stages of Xenopus laevis and comparison with other amphibians. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 32: 2056-2064. Abstract.

Yu, S., Halbrook, R.S., Sparling, D.W. 2013. Correlation between heavy metals and turtle abundance in ponds near the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Kentucky, USA. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 65: 555-566. Full text.

Weir, S.M., Yu, S., and Salice, C.J. 2012. Chronic and acute toxicity of commonly used cotton herbicides to the larval green frog (Lithobates clamitans). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 31: 2029-2034. Download PDF.

Yu, S., Halbrook, R.S., Sparling, D.W. 2012. Accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and evaluation of hematological and immunological effects of PCB exposure on turtles. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 88: 823-827. Full text.

Yu, S., Halbrook, R.S., Sparling, D.W., and Colombo, R. 2011. Metal accumulation and evaluation of effects in a freshwater turtle. Ecotoxicology 20: 1801-1812. Full text.

Yu, S., Jiang, Z., Zhu, H., Li, C., Zhang, E., Zhang, J., and Harrington, C. 2009. Effects of odors on behaviors of captive Amur leopards Panthera pardus orientalis. Current Zoology 55: 20-27. Download PDF.

Xu, A, Jiang, Z., Li, C., Guo, J., Da, S., Cui, Q., Yu, S., and Wu, G. 2008. Status and conservation of snow leopard Panthera uncia in the Gouli Region, Kunlun Mountains, China. Oryx 42: 460-463. Full text.

Cai, J., Yu, S., and Jiang, Z. 2005. Social and economic conditions. In: Zhigang Jiang (editor). Biodiversity of the Qingmuchuan Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, China. Tsinghua University Press, Beijing, China.

Elizabeth Dalby (Author), Jiang Z., Yu S., and Ding J. (Translators). 2005. Mysteries & Marvels of Nature. Guang Ming Daily Publishing House, Beijing, China.

Past and Current Research Projects

Microplastics in marine bivalves

Two of my biology students, H'Yen and Zanab, were interested in determining the presence of microplastics in commercial clams and oysters purchased from local grocery store. We have found low levels of microplastics in clams.

Using soybean oil as an alternative motor oil

One of my students, Joseff, majors in both Transportation Technology and Biology. He was interested in looking at the potential use of high oleic soybean oil in engine motor oil.

Pet owners' perception and use of cannabidiol for pet care

With the increasing popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) in medicinal use for both humans and companion animals, this project aimed to collect data on how pet owners perceive the use of CBD for pet care. We have conducted surveys in 2019 and are currently analyzing data. Several students participated in the project including Meredith, Stuart, Kierstyn, and Geo.

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A comparison of natural substances to combat catheter-associated UTIs

Christine, my student from Bio 111, was interested in finding more natural ways to control bacterial growth and biofilm formation. Her ultimate goal was to provide a solution to effectively prevent and/or combat catheter-UTIs without promoting antibiotic resistance.

Student Presentations

1. Perry, J. and Yu, S. 2019. Using high oleic soybean oil as an alternative motor oil. The 2019 Southeastern Undergraduate Science Symposium. March 30th, Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.

2. Pomfrey, M., and Yu, S. 2019. Proposal: Survey of pet owners' perception and use of cannabidiol (CBD) as an alternative therapy for pets. The 2019 Southeastern Undergraduate Science Symposium. March 30th, Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.

3. Siu, H., Arshad, Z, and Yu, S. 2019. Microplastics in commercial oysters and clams. The 2019 Southeastern Undergraduate Science Symposium. March 30th. Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC. .

4. Lillie, C., and Yu, S. 2019. Survey of pet owners' perception and use of cannabidiol (CBD) as an alternative therapy for pets. The 2019 SNCURCS – State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium. November 23, 2019. Duke University, Durham, MC.

5. Mendosa, C., and Yu, S. 2020. A comparison of natural substances to combat catheter-associated UTIs without promoting antibiotic resistance. Presented (1) at UNC Charlotte NC Science & Engineering Fair Region 6, February 2020; (2) NC Student Academy of Sciences District 5 & 6 Competition, February 2020; and (3) NC Student Academy of Sciences State Competition, March 2020.

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Teaching Activities

Courses I teach:

Bio 110 (Principles of Biology)
Bio 111 (General Biology for majors)
Occasionally Bio 168 and Bio 169 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II)

My initiatives to engage students in assisting teaching: I've found that many of my students have so much potential to create new or improving existing teaching activities. Sometimes they have much better ideas lol! In Spring 2019, I recruited EG, who was in my non-major biology class, to create a lab activity for the Measurement Lab.

Making Slime!
- EG searched online and decided to test out one protocol that seemed promising. She tested a few runs, made some adjustments, and wrote a nice lab handout. I helped refine and finalize the final handout.
- Good news! This handout will be included in the second edition of our customized lab manual for Bio 110. Here's EG explaining the lab procedure!

Other Responsibilities

C-STEP STEM faculty advisor
Student Researchers in Science (SRS) Club faculty advisor
College senator