Engineering Solutions for a Healthier Planet and Society
At our lab, we are driven by a bold, interdisciplinary vision: combining microbial ecology, process engineering, and mathematical modeling to improve human health and environmental resilience. Our expansive research program addresses some of today’s most urgent challenges — and we are looking for passionate researchers to join us.
We have developed groundbreaking wastewater technologies that enable high-efficiency phosphate recovery, while reducing energy and space demands — essential innovations for advancing water reclamation and expanding treatment capacity in densely populated cities. Our work lays the foundation for sustainable urban infrastructure worldwide.
Beyond water engineering, we apply our expertise to confront the climate crisis. Our team pioneers new methods to investigate how climate change influences greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands, using novel hydrogel systems that enclose soil bacteria. This powerful, reproducible approach enables us to unravel the complex feedback loops between microbial communities and the global climate system — work that will improve predictive climate models and guide policies protecting critical ecosystems.
We are also exploring the exciting frontier of hydrogel-based technologies in agriculture and medicine. Our “Biobeads” — biofertilizers encapsulating beneficial bacteria and fungi — aim to replace synthetic fertilizers by naturally providing nitrogen and phosphate to crops, boosting yields while promoting soil health. In parallel, we are developing edible, microbe-containing hydrogels — a “therapeutic bubble tea” — to target uremic toxins in the gut, offering a revolutionary new therapy for patients with kidney disease.
In addition, our team actively contributes to advancing the bio-based economy by engineering microbial systems for enhanced biofuel production. We explore the conversion of various biomass sources, including cellulose, into sustainable fuels, optimizing microbial pathways and process efficiencies to support a cleaner energy future.
Together, our team offers a rare and dynamic fusion of engineering, environmental science, and biomedical innovation. We are committed to advancing the engineering profession by delivering real-world solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
If you are excited to push the boundaries of research, make meaningful impacts, and work at the intersection of disciplines — we invite you to join us!
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