Jiang Group
University of Alabama
About Us
We combine environmental engineering and industrial ecology to develop holistic solutions for some of the most critical sustainability challenges facing modern economies.
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We have three main focus areas:
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Bio-Electrochemical Systems (BES)
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Material Flow Analysis (MFA)
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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Group News
January, 2021
Cassandra and Hye-Jeong joined the group as PhD students. Welcome!
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Dec, 2021
George successfully defended his MS. Congratulations!
August, 2021
Adriana joined the group as a PhD student. Welcome!
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May, 2021
We are moving to the University of Alabama this fall. Last group dinner in Butte, MT.
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March, 2021
Dr. Jungyu Park is now an assistant professor in Chosun University. Congratulations!
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January, 2021
George and Cassandra have joined the group as MS students. Welcome!
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Our work on estimating the generation of non-hazardous industrial wastes in the United States has been published in Resources, Conservation and Recycling. A big thanks to our collaborators from Yale University and Northeastern University. Link to article
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Aug, 2020
Group BBQ
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June, 2020
Coming back to work
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May, 2020
Jun-Gyu's first catch
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April, 2020
Jinjin successfully defended her MS thesis
March, 2020
Dr. Jun-Gyu Park joins the group as a postdoctoral scholar. Welcome!
Jinjin will join Princeton University as a PhD student in 2020 Fall. Congratulations!
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February, 2020
Ashton and Justin will present posters at 2020 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (cancelled due to COVID-19)
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August, 2019
Taymee and Ashton presented posters at American Chemical Society
Meeting (San Diego, CA)
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May, 2019
Taymee successfully defended her MS thesis and will join Purdue University as a PhD student
in 2019 Fall. Congratulations!
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April, 2018
"Digger Denitrification" won 1st place (task 7) and innovation award
at 28th WERC Environmental Design Contest (Las Cruces, NM).
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Bio-Electrochemical Systems (BES)
Bio-electrochemical denitrification
BES's capability to achieve organic carbon-free denitrification may have real-world engineering implications. Our work integrates process engineering, molecular biology, and statistical modeling to investigate the function-condition-community relationships in BES denitrification, with the goal of further developing the technology in a mechanism-informed fashion.
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References:
T. Brandon, B. Stamps, A. Cummings, T. Zhang, X. Wang, D. Jiang. (2020). Poised potential is not an effective strategy to enhance bio-electrochemical denitrification under cyclic substrate limitations. Science of the Total Environment.
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Material Flow Analysis (MFA)
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in carpet
PFAS are a family of ubiquitous, persistent, and potentially toxic organofluorine compounds. They are widely used in consumer products such as carpet. Our work applies stocks and flows modeling to estimate the PFAS use, accumulation, and emissions through carpet in 2000-2030 under different policy scenarios, with the goal of informing risk assessment and policy making.
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References:
J. Chen, L. Tang, WQ. Chen, G. Peaslee, D. Jiang. (2020). The flows, stock, and emissions of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in California carpet in 2000-2030 under different scenarios. Environmental Science & Technology.
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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Life cycle environmental performance of early-stage technologies
Living filtration membranes (LFMs) are a bio-based ultrafiltration (UF) membrane developed by Zodrow lab @ Montana Tech. In lab tests, LFMs showed great promise as a fouling-resistance and self-healing UF membrane. Our work utilizes LCA and global sensitivity analysis to identify how to most efficiently improve the environmental performance of LFMs in future R&D.
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References:
D. Jiang, D. Hou, C. Bechtel, K. Zodrow, T. Zhang, R. Myers. (2020). Permeability is the critical factor governing the life cycle environmental performance of drinking water treatment using living filtration membranes. Environmental Science & Technology.
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Non-hazardous Industrial Waste (NHIW)
Quantity and composition of NHIW
Each year the industrial sector creates hundreds of millions of tons of non-hazardous wastes. These secondary materials are typically sent for disposal, but some have the potential to be beneficially used instead. In a recent study, we collaborated with researchers from Yale University and Northeastern University and quantified the amount of non-hazardous industrial wastes generated in the United States from 2000 to 2050, and their main chemical compositions.
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References:
J. Chen, X. Li, K. Huang, M. Eckelman, M. Chertow, D. Jiang*. (2021). Non-hazardous industrial waste in the United States: 100 million tonnes of recoverable resources. Resources, Conversation & Recycling.
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Research
Meet The Group
Dr. Tahir Maqbool
Assistant Research Professional
PhD, Sejong Univ. (S. Korea)
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​Tahir earned his Ph.D. in 2018 from Sejong University (South Korea) and worked as Postdoctoral researcher at Tsinghua University (China). He has experience in water and wastewater treatment, and monitoring the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in engineering and natural aquatic systems. He has developed some spectroscopic signatures for online monitoring of water quality and understanding the microbial activity. He likes meeting with his friends, playing snooker and table tennis, and spending time with wife and son.
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Cassandra Carpio
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PhD student
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BS, Michigan Tech
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Cassi is working on using bioelectrochemical systems for nutrient reduction in surface waters from agricultural runoff. Previously, she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa. She enjoys the outdoors, playing sports, knitting, playing video games, and traveling.
Adriana Riveros
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PhD student
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MS, Colorado State Univ. Pueblo
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Adriana is working on selenium remediation. In her free time, she loves to play racquetball, outdoor activities and spent time with her husband and her puppy.
Hye-Jeong Kwon
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PhD student
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MS, Chungbuk National University
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Hye-Jeong is doing research on bioelectrochemcial systems. She enjoys delicious food, watching Netflix shows and travel. Most of all, she loves hanging out with people.
Dr. Hany Heiba
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Postdoctoral Associate
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PhD, Imperial College London
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Hany earned his PhD in Environmental Chemistry from Imperial College London (United Kingdom), his research interests revolve around the application of material chemistry in environmental contexts, particularly in the areas of water treatment and clean energy production. He focus on surface chemistry topics such as photocatalysis, electrochemistry, and adsorption. .
Dr. Yuhao Wang
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Postdoctoral Associate
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PhD, Arizona State Univ
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Yuhao earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University, his research interest lies in the risk assessment and safety prediction in engineering systems using Bayesian methods and machine learning algorithms. He is looking into applying advanced data-modeling techniques into Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Analysis. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports and boardgaming.
Mingming Chen
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PhD student
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MS, Southeast Univ (China)
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Mingming has a background of Civil Engineering and Architecture. He is working on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) and Material Flow Analysis (MFA) of PFAS in carpet. His research interests focus on data-driven environmental impact analysis of emerging technologies and specific substances. He enjoys outdoor activities and sports like basketball, tennis, and swimming for his free time.
Helia Khatami
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PhD student
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MS, Univ. of Tehran
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Helia is a PhD student in Environmental Engineering. She is doing research on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production processes to identify the most sustainable way to produce SAFs. During her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, socializing with her friends, and savoring a cup of coffee at a cafe
Amirhossein Mostofifar
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PhD student
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BS, Sharif Univ of Technology
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Amirhossein is about to start his studies and research on the Life Cycle Assessment as a PhD student. He has a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, and is way too passionate about almost anything that associates chemistry, environment, and engineering with each other. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music, going to the gym, playing board games, hanging out with friends, and watching sitcoms.
Yanli Li
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PhD student
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MS, Tongji Univ
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I hold a master's degree in environmental engineering from Tongji University, where I delved into the captivating world of microfiltration/ultrafiltration membrane materials, membrane bioreactor operation, and advanced oxidation technology. In my free time, I embrace simple pleasures that bring me joy and relaxation, such as drawing, tea drinking, engaging in the sport of badminton and various cuisines.