Qian receives dissertation awards from AEESP and AWMA
June 19, 2024 – Former group member Qian Luo won the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) Doctoral Dissertation Award for her Ph.D. dissertation, “Integration of power systems and air quality models to mitigate negative health and climate impacts of electricity generation.” Winners are chosen for their unusually significant contribution to the fields of air quality, all types of waste, or sustainability/management pertaining to air quality or waste. Qian was also selected as the honorable mention for the Paul V. Roberts/Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award for her dissertation. This prestigious award is given annually to recognize a rigorous and innovative doctoral thesis that advances the science and practice of water quality engineering for either engineered or natural systems and also recognizes research that supports underserved communities, environmental awareness, or sustainable solutions. Qian was recognized during the annual AEESP Awards Presentation on June 18.
Fernando selected as Fulbright Canada Distinguished Chair in Environmental Science at Carleton University
June 12, 2024 – Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez was named the Fulbright Canada Distinguished Chair in Environmental Science at Carleton University for 2024-25 by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Canada Program. Fulbright Scholar Awards provide opportunities for scholars to conduct research abroad. Fernando will be visiting Carleton University’s Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences in Ottawa, Canada, during the 2024-25 academic year to study the impacts of air pollution from wildfires and explore solutions to this challenge. The award will allow Fernando to focus on a major environmental issue and work with exceptional Canadian researchers. Fulbright scholars also play a role in U.S. public diplomacy, establishing long-term relationships between people and nations.
Group members share research at 2024 EWC Graduate Research Symposium
March 8, 2024 – PhD students Amir Ghajari, Bianca Meotti, and Nafisa Islam presented their research at the 2024 Environmental, Water Resources, and Coastal Engineering (EWC) Graduate Research Symposium held at Hunt Library on Centennial Campus. Each year, students from across NC State’s EWC program share their research with Symposium participants from the private sector, government agencies, and academic institutions. The year’s event also featured a keynote talk by Dr. Paola Passalacqua from the University of Texas at Austin on the complex dynamics of low-gradient landscapes.
Amir delivered an oral presentation on the “Assessing the Air Quality Impacts of Prescribed Burns at N=orth Carolina State Parks with a Regional-Scale Chemical Transport Modeling System.” Bianca presented a poster about her work on “Exploring the Influence of Air Pollution Modeling Framework in Evaluations of Air Pollution Exposure Disparities Associated with Power Generation.” Nafisa shared her work through a poster titled “An Analysis of Fire Emissions in the Northern South America.”
Fernando invited to Second U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium
January 18, 2024 – Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez participated in the Second U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium in Rabat, Morocco Kenya at the invitation of the US National Academies and the Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology. Frontiers Symposiums gather engineers, scientists, and medical professionals from the US and African Union countries to share their ideas and explore research collaborations. The Second U.S.-Africa Symposium included discussions related to human-technology interaction, sensing technologies, green technologies for climate adaptation, vaccine manufacturing, and one health. Fernando participated in the One Health session and shared some of the reseach group’s work on the environmental and human health impacts of wildland fires.
National Academies invites Fernando to 9th Arab-American Frontiers Symposium
October 25, 2023 – Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez participated in the 2023 Arab-American Frontiers of Science, Engineering and Medicine Symposium hosted in Doha, Qatar. The symposium was organized by the National Academies in partnership with Hamad bin Khalifa University and Texas A&M University at Qatar. The Frontiers Symposium gathers a select group of engineers, scientists and medical professionals from the US and 22 Arab League countries to discuss scientific advances on topics relevant to the Middle East and North African region and globally. This year’s symposium included discussions related to decarbonization, quantum computing, precision medicine, and technologies for equity and inclusion. At the Symposium, Fernando discussed opportunities to use integrated energy and environmental modeling to support decarbonization efforts.
Group shares research at 2023 AEESP Conference
June 25, 2023 – Research group alumni Dr. Qian Luo presented research from her doctoral dissertation at the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Research & Education Conference held at Northeastern University in Boston. Qian presented a poster on “Integrating climate and health impacts in China’s power system operations.” Fernando presented research group alumni Megan Johnson’s work on “Land management and air pollution impacts from wildland fires in the Southeastern U.S. under a changing climate.” Under the theme “Responding Together to Global Challenges,” the 2023 AEESP Conference included workshops, technical presentations, networking events, and career development opportunities. The NC State Environmental Engineering Program was well represented at the conference by department faculty, reserchers, students, and alumni (photo below).
Future Ingenieros build sensors and measure air pollution at NC State
June 18, 2023 – In the Future Ingenieros program, Latinx high school students get a chance work on engineering projects and learn about engineering careers. Attendees are offered summer opportunities to participate in engineering activities, interact with undergraduate and graduate students, and meet with Latinx faculty. In the summer of 2023, we conducted a new edition of the program with 14 visiting students. The students conducted a 3-day workshop at NC State in which they built, tested, and used low-cost air pollution sensors across campus. The project activities were supported by 4 undergraduate students, 1 graduate student, and 2 NC State faculty members. After the workshop, the students presented the results of their project to fellow students, sponsors, and organizers participating in the 2023 Juntos Summer Academy.
Qian, Megan, and James at CCEE Graduation Ceremony
May 5, 2023 – Research group members Qian Luo, Megan Johnson, and James East were on campus to attend the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering’s annual graduation ceremony. Having previously completed and successfully defended their doctoral dissertations, Drs. Luo, Johnson, and East were hooded and celebrated by colleagues, family, and friends. Qian and James returned to Raleigh from Northeast, where they hold positions at Princeton and Harvard. Megan will soon depart to Colorado to begin a position with the US Forest Service. We are proud of these exceptional research group alumni!
Megan successfully defends PhD dissertation
May 4, 2023 – PhD student Megan Johnson successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, titled “Wildland fire smoke impacts on Southeastern populations: uncertainties, perceptions, and land management concerns.” The dissertation was approved by her doctoral committee, which included Andrew Grieshop (Env. Eng.), Joseph Roise (Forestry), Yang Zhang (Northeastern Univ.), and Adam Terand (USGS). Megan will join the US Forest Service as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Congratulations Dr. Johnson!
Fernando participates in Colombian Congress and International Conference on Air Quality and Public Health
March 25, 2023 – Fernando was invited to participate in the IX Colombian Congress and International Conference on Air Quality and Public Health (CASAP), in Santa Marta, Colombia. During the event, Fernando discussed deforestation, climate change, and air quality as part of a panel along with Dr. Ricardo Morales from Universidad de los Andes and Dr. Dolors Armenteras from Universidad Nacional de Colombia. The CASAP Congress (a Spanish acronym for Calidad de Aire y Salud Publica) is a biennial international conference for air quality and public health that gathers Colombian researchers, authorities, and stakeholders.
Qian successfully defends PhD dissertation
December 19, 2022 – PhD student Qian Luo successfully defended her doctoral dissertation titled “Integration of Power Systems and Air Quality Models to Mitigate Negative Health Impacts of Electricity Generation”. Qian was co-advised by Prof. Jeremiah Johnson and her dissertation was also approved by committee members Andrew Grieshop (Env. Eng.) and Harrison Fell (Env. Eng.). Qian will join Princeton University as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the spring. Congratulations Dr. Qian!
Group shares research at 2022 AGU Fall Meeting
December 16, 2022 – PhD students Qian Luo, Megan Johnson, and James East shared their latest research at the 2022 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, held in Chicago, IL. James gave a talk titled “Lightning-NOx Emissions, Impacts, and Evaluation Using Satellite Data Assimilation and Remote Observations” and presented a poster on “Projecting Climate-Driven Changes in Extreme Ozone Pollution under Natural Variability and Uncertain Climate Sensitivity”. Megan gave a presentation titled “Climate-Driven Changes in Wildland Fire Smoke and Land Management Impacts in the Southeastern U.S.”. Fernando presented Qian’s work on “Impacts of Accelerating Decarbonization in China on the Country’s Power System and Public Health”. Our collaborators also shared the recent results from our joint research, including Matt Sparks and Rebecca Saari’s talk on “Effect of natural variability in mediating short-term adaptation to air pollution” and Haozhe Yang and Ranjit Deshmukh’s poster on “Health benefits and employment impacts of decarbonization in China’s electric power system.”
James successfully defends PhD dissertation
November 18, 2022 – PhD student James East successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, titled “Understanding multiscale air quality impacts of observed and projected emissions changes using chemical transport models.” The dissertation was approved by his doctoral committee, which included Andrew Grieshop (Env. Eng.), Chris Frey (Env. Eng.), Yang Zhang (Northeastern Univ.), and Baron Henderson (US EPA). James will join Harvard as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the spring. Congratulations Dr. East!
Fernando invited to First U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium
October 15, 2022 – Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez participated in the First U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium in Nairobi, Kenya at the invitation of the US National Academies and the African Academy of Sciences. The Frontiers Symposium gathers young engineers, scientists, and medical professionals from the US and African Union countries to share their ideas and explore research collaborations. The symposium included discussions related to artificial intelligence, materials science, biodiversity, climate change and food security, and infectious diseases.
Megan presents at Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Symposium
September 19, 2022 – PhD student Megan Johnson presented her research at the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Symposium in Gulf Shores, AL. She gave a presentation titled, “Recent patterns and possible climate-driven changes in Southeastern wildland fire smoke impacts,” describing her work on climate-driven changes in wildfire, prescribed fire, and smoke exposure in the Southern US. Megan is a former Global Change Fellow of the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.
Ricardo Morales visits group as Fulbright Scholar
August 10, 2022 – Professor Ricardo Morales from Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia is visiting the research group as a Fulbright Scholar during the Fall 2022 semester. Ricardo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering. His research uses modeling and observational tools for atmospheric aerosols to better understand air quality in the northern portion of South America, and the city of Bogotá in particular. At NC State he will work with Fernando to investigate the air quality impacts of deforestation in the Amazon.
Qian awarded 2022 AEE scholarship
August 7, 2022 – PhD student Qian Luo was awarded a 2022 scholarship from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). AEE’s Scholarship Program supports motivated and dedicated students in the fields of energy engineering, sustainability, and environmental engineering. Congratulations Qian!
Qian presents at 2022 A&WMA Annual Conference
June 28, 2022 – PhD student Qian Luo presented a poster titled “Reducing Power Sector Emissions in China for Climate and Public Health Benefits with Economic Dispatch” at the 2022 Air & Waste Management Association Annual Conference. In her poster, Qian discussed how changes to power system operations in China can reduce both CO2 emissions and public health impacts associated with electricity generation relying on existing facilities. Qian received a scholarship from A&WMA’s RTP Chapter supporting her travel to San Francisco for the conference.
“Future Ingenieros” back at NC State
June 16, 2022 – High school students from across North Carolina attended the 2022 Future Ingenieros workshop to learn about engineering. Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez and collaborators from NC State organized the program’s first in-person workshop since 2019 with 38 participants. This year, students learned about microfluidics, microscopes, and heat exchangers. The Future Ingenieros program was created in 2018 to expose Latino students to opportunities at NC State and encourage enrollment in engineering.
Megan speaks at IAWF Fire & Climate Conference in Pasadena
May 26, 2022 – PhD student Megan Johnson presented her research at the Fire & Climate Conference in Pasadena, CA. She gave a presentation titled, “Southeastern U.S. populations impacted by smoke: Recent patterns and possible climate-driven changes,” describing her work to examine who is most frequently experiencing smoke in the Southeast and how this could change due to climate-driven changes in wildfire and prescribed fire activity. The conference was a hybrid event held by the International Association of Wildland Fire which brought together a diverse audience of scientists, managers, and fire personnel.
Megan visits Alaska for USGS Science to Action Fellowship
May 22, 2022 – PhD student Megan Johnson traveled to Alaska for seven weeks in the spring as part of her Science to Action Fellowship with the U.S. Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC). The fellowship program allows graduate students to collaborate with USGS mentors to work on high-priority, real-world challenges in natural resources, and travel to work at their mentor’s CASC office. Megan’s mentor is Jeremy Littell, a research ecologist at the Alaska CASC. While in Alaska, Megan interacted with staff of the Alaska CASC and the Alaska Fire Science Consortium, and took part in Research to Operations workshops as part of a NASA ABoVE science team meeting. She and Jeremy traveled to the 2019 Swan Lake wildfire burn scar to meet with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and install meteorological and soil sensors as part of a project to monitor post-fire regrowth within the area. Megan was excited to learn more about fire and climate in Alaska and see how CASC staff work directly with various partners.
Qian begins internship at NREL
May 15, 2022 – PhD student Qian Luo began an internship at National Renewable Energy Laboratory. At NREL, Qian is working with Drs. Garvin Heath, Vikram Ravi, and Brian Sergi. During this internship, Qian will quantify the air quality and public health co-benefits of technologies designed to reduce CO2 emissions in the power sector and explore their environmental justice implications.
James wins CCEE 5th Annual Three Minute Thesis Competition
April 18, 2022 – PhD student James East won first place in the NC State Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering’s Annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition. In the 3MT competition, students need to present their research to an audience of judges and colleagues in three minutes and use one static visual slide to make a compelling and concise statement about their thesis topic and its significance to society. James gave the winning presentation on examining air pollution from space using satellite data to better understand the impact of emissions. PhD student Qian Luo also participated and delivered a great presentation on how power sector decarbonization can impact different demographic groups.
Fernando participates in Perspectives on Climate Risk panel at NC State
April 13, 2022 – Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez discussed air pollution risks and impacts of climate change in the Perspectives on Climate Risk in Natural-Human Systems panel held at NC State. The panel was organized by the Student Energy Club and attended by undergraduate students, graduate students, and researchers interested in energy technologies and policy. The panel also included Dr. Kathie Dello from the North Carolina State Climate Office and Dr. Jordan Kern from the NC State College of Natural Resources.
Fernando discusses fire and the wildland urban interface on Fueling Collaboration Series
February 17, 2022 – Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez was invited to discuss Fire and the Wildland Urban Interface in the Eastern US as part of the Fueling Collaboration Panel Discussion Series. These interactive virtual panel discussions, organized by the US Forest Service and partner organizations, bring people together to discuss, explore, and address the latest fire science and fire management issues. In this edition, panelists discussed how wildfire, prescribed fire, and climate change intersect in the wildland urban interface of the East. Close to 400 land managers and researchers attended virtually from across the country and abroad. The recorded discussion is available here.
Fernando talks at 2022 AMS Annual Meeting
January 27, 2022 – Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez gave a presentation at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society. Fernando spoke about “Social disparities in exposure to Smoke from Wildland Fire and Land Management”, and presented work led by PhD student Megan Johnson and recent PhD graduate Sadia Afrin. The conference was held virtually this year.
James is a panelist at the HAQAST Update22 meeting
January 20, 2022 – PhD candidate James East was a panelist at the NASA HAQAST (Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team) Update22 meeting. During the panel on “Satellite-based NOx Emission Estimates for Urban Planning”, James discussed his research performing NOx emissions inversions with the OMI and TROPOMI satellite instruments. HAQAST was established by NASA to connect scientists and stakeholders for the purpose of disseminating satellite data used for air quality and public health research.
Group members present their research at 2021 AGU Fall Meeting
December 17, 2021 – PhD students Qian Luo, Megan Johnson, and James East presented their research at the 2021 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA. Qian presented a poster describing her research on “Public Health Impacts and Environmental Justice Considerations of Decarbonizing the Texas Power Grid.” Megan shared a poster discussing her work titled, “Characterizing Southeastern Populations Impacted by Wildland Fire Smoke: Implications for Land Management Practices.” James presented a poster of his work on “Comparing OMI and TROPOMI NO2 Data Assimilation for Estimating NOx Emissions”. The group was excited to attend in person and hear the keynote address given by Dr. Robert Bullard, often described as the father of environmental justice.
Qian completes internship at Berkeley Lab
December 15, 2021 – PhD student Qian Luo completed an internship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA. At Berkeley Lab, Qian worked with Dr. Jiang Lin on the development of an open-source power system modeling platform for China. This research will allow Qian to investigate the air quality and public health impacts of power sector transitions in China. The 6-month internship was supported by an award from the National Science Foundation through the National Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) program.
