Page 20 - CEGE Spring 2023

College of Science & Engineering
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering
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JUDY YANG RECEIVES NSF CAREER AWARD
Judy Yang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering and Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory at the University of Minnesota. Her research in water resources focuses on transport of fluids, particles, bacteria, and chemicals in the environment. She received
a prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), an award given to outstanding junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholar, excelling at and integrating both research and education.
Yang’s NSF CAREER Award project is titled “Predicting Biofilm-Bound Sediment Dynamics Through Multiscale Experiments.” It will be funded for $653,000 over five years. The research will shed light on the fundamental mechanisms that govern the interactions among microbes, fluid, and particulates. The results of the research will guide erosion restoration projects for coasts and rivers, and will support prediction and control of the spread of biofilm-bound particulate contaminants.
On receiving the award, Yang commented, “I will use this grant to support a couple of graduate students and many undergraduate students. Together, we will develop cutting- edge technology to reveal how tiny organisms can play a pivotal role in many pressing environmental issues, including coastal and riverine erosion and contaminant transport. My group is in a unique position to pioneer this new research direction because we are one of the few groups in the
“...tiny organisms can play a pivotal role in many pressing environmental issues...”
- Judy Yang
world that have expertise in both microfluidics and flume experiments and knowledge in both microbiology and fluid mechanics.”
In addition to research, Yang plans to develop new curriculums and outreach activities to engage college and K-12 students of diverse backgrounds in water-related research. “I am always looking for motivated students and postdocs to join my team and work together to increase the sustainability of our environment,” Yang added.