About Dr. Wang

As a Professional Engineer, Dr. Wang’s research focuses on developing innovative technologies for advanced water treatment and resource recovery. His extensive research portfolio includes bioprocess intensification, thermal hydrolysis-enhanced anaerobic digestion, biological nutrient removal/recovery, and the production of biofuels and bioplastics from various types of waste materials. Dr. Wang’s work is conducted in close collaboration with utilities, consulting firms, national laboratories, and other higher education institutions, with the overarching goal of promoting the ideation, development, and application of water technologies.

Dr. Wang joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech in 2015 as an Assistant Professor, with a 50% teaching and 50% research appointment. In 2022, he transitioned to the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, where he now holds a 50% research and 50% extension Associate Professor role. He also serves as the Director of the Center for Applied Water Research and Innovation (CAWRI). CAWRI is dedicated to developing advanced technologies to meet the industrial needs of sustainable wastewater management and to becoming a model for University-Utility cooperation in the United States.

Before joining Virginia Tech, Dr. Wang was a faculty member in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. He also gained postdoctoral experience in the Biosciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Washington State University. Dr. Wang earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and his B.E. in Environmental Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in China.

Dr. Wang’s rich experience and broad expertise in environmental biotechnology have enabled him to cultivate students with the technical proficiency, innovative mindset, and professional network necessary to tackle real-world engineering challenges. Through his mentorship and research collaborations, he has fostered a generation of engineers equipped to advance sustainable solutions in water technology and resource recovery, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute to the evolving needs of industry and society.