From preventing the spread of harmful viruses to safeguarding drinking water, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) alumni Mengyang Zhang, Ph.D. ‘22, and Tao Ye, Ph.D. ‘18, are responding to vital environmental concerns. This year, both reached significant milestones in their academic careers: Zhang will join the University of Cincinnati (UC), and Ye, who recently received a prestigious NSF CAREER Award, will begin at Stevens Institute of Technology, each as a tenure-track assistant professor.
Zhang and Ye pursued academia because of their thirst for knowledge and passion for teaching and mentoring. While this will be Ye’s second faculty role after working at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for four years, this marks Zhang’s first after completing a postdoctoral research position at Stanford University.
“I was drawn to academia by the opportunity to ask bold, interdisciplinary questions about how viruses interact with the environment and impact public health,” said Zhang. “It allows me to pursue curiosity-driven research with real-world relevance while creating inclusive spaces to mentor the next generation of engineers and scientists, helping them grow as critical thinkers and problem-solvers.”
To inform strategies around disease prevention, Zhang’s research explores the fate, transmission, and control of human pathogenic viruses in the environment. A particular focus of her work is on vesicle-cloaked virus clusters, emerging pathogenic units with higher infectivity and persistence in the environment and higher resistance to disinfection.
At UC, Zhang plans to involve students at all levels of her research, from field sampling and lab experimentation to data analysis and risk modeling. They will guide engineering design and regulations for reliable, robust disinfection and sanitation practices. This work bridges environmental engineering, virology, and public health, and she hopes to inspire students to continue such interdisciplinary work, as she was encouraged to do at GW Engineering.
“One of the most pivotal influences on my path was the mentorship of my Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Danmeg Shuai, whose interdisciplinary mindset and curiosity-driven research perspectives deeply shaped how I approach scientific questions today,” Zhang stated.
Professor Danmeng Shuai advised both Zhang and Ye during their time in the CEE Department. They shared that Shuai’s guidance was critical in helping them develop their strong technical foundation and collaborative approach to scientific research. Zhang noted that he supported her participation in the NIH Graduate Partnerships Program, which enabled her to conduct part of her doctoral research at the NIH and gain additional cross-disciplinary training.
As Ye reflects on their relationship, he expresses gratitude for the ongoing support and advice that have made Shuai a lifelong mentor to him: “This mentorship not only sharpened my research skills but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for collaboration and academic service–qualities that continue to shape my approach as a faculty member.”
Ye’s research spans advanced water treatment processes, novel materials for contaminant removal and resource recovery, and predictive modeling for environmental decision-making. His NSF-supported research focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence and machine learning to better understand and mitigate harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water, formed when disinfectants like chlorine react with natural organic matter. These predictive tools will help water utilities and regulators to better identify and control DBPs from their inception.
“This work is part of my broader research program in data-driven environmental chemistry, which combines experimental studies with machine learning to address complex water quality challenges,” Ye stated.
As faculty members, Zhang and Ye are advancing innovative research to protect public health against water and airborne pathogens while mentoring the next generation of environmental engineers. Their experience in GW Engineering’s CEE Department was marked by rigorous academic training and a supportive environment, setting them up for the success they’ve found in the early stages of their careers.
“For current GW CEE students considering academia, I encourage them to actively seek research opportunities, cultivate resilience in the face of setbacks, and take ownership of their professional development. The ability to ask the right questions—and the curiosity to pursue answers—will serve them well, regardless of their path,” said Ye.