Journal of Microbiome and Gut Health

Dr. Waqas is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of Marine Biology, Shantou University, China. He earned his PhD in Biology with specialization in marine genomics, marine biotechnology, and aquatic ecotoxicology. His research focuses on the toxicological effects of heavy metals and xenobiotics on aquatic organisms, with particular emphasis on lipid metabolism, molecular mechanisms, and omics-based approaches. Dr. Waqas has published extensively in high-impact international journals and actively contributes to multidisciplinary research in environmental toxicology and aquaculture sustainability.

• Aquatic ecotoxicology and heavy metal toxicity
• Molecular and cellular toxicology
• Lipidomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics
• Health risk assessment of environmental pollutants
• Aquaculture sustainability and ecosystem health
• Pollutant–organism interaction mechanisms

• Postdoctoral research in marine biology and aquatic toxicology

• Research Assistant, Fisheries and Aquaculture Laboratory

• Lecturer in Biology

• Dormitory Manager, Shantou University

• Reviewer and contributor to international peer-reviewed journals

• Expertise in molecular biology, lipidomics, metabolomics, heavy metal analysis, water quality assessment, and omics technologies

1. Waqas, W., Ye Yuan, Sardar Ali, Mengqian Zhang, Wajid Ali, Zifei Xiang, Ruixiang Chen, Mhd Ikhwan Uddin, Hongyu Ma. An overview of the toxic effects of heavy metals on crustaceans and their associated health risk in humans. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 22, 1391–1411 (2024).
2. Zhao, Y.#, Waqas, W.#, Cui, W., Ye, S., Gao, W., Zhang, Q., Lin, Z., Zhu, D., Lin, F., Ikhwanuddin, M., Ma, H. Comparative analysis of embryonic development and growth performance among two mud crab species and their hybrids. Aquaculture, 596, 741795 (2025).
3. Waqas, W., Yuan, Y., Xue, Y., Wang, L., Chen, Y., Zhang, J., Dildar, T., Ikhwanuddin, M., Ma, H. Lipidomics: An Emerging Tool in Aquatic Toxicology Research. Journal of Hazardous Materials (2025).
4. Shafiq, M., Liaqat Zeb, Yajun Wang, Waqas, W., Sardar Ali, Tariq Dildar, Qiong-Qiong Yang, Ka-Hing Wong, Bo-Bo Zhang. Enhanced production of exopolysaccharide by Antrodia cinnamomea through batch feeding of tansglycocylated sugar mixture: Physicochemical properties, biotechnological application, and gut microbiota modulating potential. Chemical Engineering Journal (2025).
5. Ali, S., Waqas, W., Md Akibul Hasan Bakky, Sahib Zada, Md Saif Uddin, Md Tawheed Hasan, Muhammad Shafiq, Tariq Dildar, Wang Hui. Implications of Microalgal–Bacterial Interactions in Modern Aquaculture Practices: A Review of the Current Knowledge. Reviews in Aquaculture (2024).
6. Shafiq, M., Bo-Bo Zhang, Liaqat Zeb, Sardar Ali, Waqas, W., Muhammad Ayaz, Sartaj Ali, Zhanyou Chi. Integrated biorefinery approach for bioconversion of fish manure to volatile fatty acids and its valorization by Schizochytrium sp for docosahexaenoic acid, squalene, and carotenoids production. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 58, 104749 (2024).
7. Zhang, Y., Yuan, Y., Zhang, M., Yu, X., Qiu, B., Wu, F., Tocher, D.R., Zhang, J., Ye, S., Cui, W., Leung, J.Y., Ikhwanuddin, M., Waqas, W., Tariq Dildar, Hongyu Ma. The high-resolution chromosome-level genome of Scylla paramamosain provides molecular insights into adaptive evolution in crabs. BMC Biology, 22(1), 255 (2024).
8. Tayyab, M., Waqar Islam, Waqas, W., Yueling Zhang. Probiotic–Vaccine Synergy in Fish Aquaculture: Exploring Microbiome-Immune Interactions for Enhanced Vaccine Efficacy. Biology, 14(6), 629 (2025).
9. Khan, S.U., Mehmood, S.A., Ali, H., Waqas, W. The role of selected odonate nymphs in biological control of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae, and the effect of glyphosate herbicide on their predatory performance. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2022).
10. Ilahi, I., Yousafzai, A.M., Attaullah, M., Haq, T., Ali, H., Rahim, A., Sajad, M.A., Najeeb, S., Zaman, S., Ullah, S., Waqas, W., Ahmad, A. The role of odonate nymphs in eco-friendly control of mosquitoes and sensitivity of odonate nymphs to inorganic nutrient pollutants. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 17(3) (2019).
11. Ilahi, I., Waqas, W., Ali, H., Begum, R., Nawaz, H., Bibi, H., Bibi, A., Sardar, F., Bibi, A., Bibi, F., Bibi, S. Effect of long-term exposure to sublethal concentration of imidacloprid on some biochemical and haematological parameters of Grass carp and goldfish. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2018).
12. Wu, C., Sadek Md Abu, Zhou, X., Yu, Y., Ikhwanuddin, M., Waqas, W.*, Hongyu Ma*. Decoding the Impacts of Mating Behavior on Ovarian Development in Mud Crab (Scylla paramamosain): Insights from SMRT RNA-Seq. Biology, 14(10), 1362 (2025).
13. Hossen, S., Zhang, M., Chao, B., Yuan, Y., Waqas, W., Nag, S.K., Ikhwanuddin, M., Ma, H. Reproductive Biology of Crabs: Molecular and Physiological Insights and Implications for Aquaculture. Reviews in Aquaculture, 18(1), e70113 (2026).