Qiu Jun – Environmental Engineering – Outstanding Scientist Award

Qiu Jun - Environmental Engineering - Outstanding Scientist Award

Beijing Normal University - China

AUTHOR PROFILE

GOOGLE SCHOLAR
ORCID

SUMMARY

Qiu Jun is a renowned expert in atmospheric water resource technology, microscale fluid-solid interaction mechanics, and engineering design. A consistent contributor to water sciences and hydrology, the research spans multiple domains, including energy-water systems and environmental sustainability. Roles in academia and national laboratories emphasize a dedication to scientific advancement, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The focus lies in solving practical water and environmental challenges using advanced simulation, modeling, and field experimentation. With a series of high-impact publications and international collaborations, Qiu Jun's contributions are pivotal in bridging aerospace engineering principles with water science to address global resource challenges.

EDUCATION

Education began with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Aerospace, Tsinghua University, Beijing. This was followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. from the same institution, deepening expertise in engineering and applied sciences. Further academic enrichment came through a visiting scholar program at Columbia University in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Postdoctoral research continued at Tsinghua University, focusing on applied hydrology and mechanics. The educational background combines aerospace, hydrology, and biomedical research, equipping Qiu Jun with a unique interdisciplinary foundation ideal for tackling modern challenges in water resource management and environmental engineering.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Professional trajectory includes roles from Postdoctoral Research Fellow to Assistant Professor at Tsinghua University. Later held research fellow positions in the Department of Hydraulic and Hydrology, culminating in appointment as Distinguished Research Fellow at Qinghai University’s State Key Laboratory. Currently serving as Professor at Beijing Normal University's College of Water Sciences. Experience reflects a steady progression through prestigious institutions, emphasizing innovation in water systems, experimental hydrology, and resource optimization. Work includes leadership in major national and institutional research programs, with responsibilities in academic mentorship, experimental platform development, and policy-informing environmental studies.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Core interests include atmospheric water harvesting, gravity energy storage systems, climate-influenced hydrological cycles, reservoir management, and fluid mechanics at the microscale. Research integrates physical experimentation with advanced modeling to enhance water resource reliability and sustainable energy applications. Special attention is given to ecological water demand, fog elimination, and climate-induced precipitation patterns. Studies frequently address the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, emphasizing regional hydrological behavior and its global implications. Optimization techniques, including particle swarm algorithms, are applied across image processing and water systems. This multidisciplinary approach enables the design of practical and theoretical frameworks to tackle pressing environmental and energy challenges.

AWARD AND HONOR

Recognition stems from significant publications, international collaborations, and national-level appointments. Invitations to contribute as corresponding author on numerous peer-reviewed journals highlight leadership within the field. Notable appointments at Tsinghua University and Beijing Normal University reflect academic and institutional recognition. Participation in interdisciplinary research projects across China and abroad demonstrates trust in scientific competence and leadership. Although formal awards are not listed, distinguished titles and appointments serve as evidence of professional acknowledgment. Positions in leading water science centers and engineering departments reinforce continued contributions to scientific excellence and environmental solutions in academia and applied science.

RESEARCH SKILL

Possesses advanced skills in experimental system design, atmospheric water collection techniques, hydrological modeling, MATLAB GUI programming, image inpainting using PSO algorithms, and climate variability analysis. Well-versed in integrating environmental data with simulation software and optimization tools to enhance decision-making in reservoir and water system management. Additional competencies include acoustic fog elimination, ecological forecasting, and data-driven zoning of precipitation regimes. Research frequently applies computational fluid dynamics, laboratory-scale validation, and long-term environmental monitoring. The integration of engineering methods with climate science underlines a systems-level research skillset suited for applied environmental and hydrological studies.

CONCLUSION

Work exemplifies the fusion of aerospace engineering, environmental science, and water resource management. With strong academic roots and wide-ranging applications, research addresses urgent global challenges such as water scarcity, climate variability, and energy sustainability. Contributions span foundational theory, applied experimentation, and policy-relevant insights. Engagement across major Chinese universities and global institutions underscores influence and reach. From designing fog elimination systems to optimizing reservoir operations, the approach remains comprehensive, forward-thinking, and multidisciplinary. Through high-level appointments, impactful publications, and continuous research, Qiu Jun emerges as a key figure in advancing scientific solutions for sustainable resource management.

Xin (Cissy) Ma – Water Resources Engineering – Best Researcher Award

Xin (Cissy) Ma - Water Resources Engineering - Best Researcher Award

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - United States

AUTHOR PROFILE

ORCID
SCOPUS

SUMMARY

Xin (Cissy) Ma is a leading environmental engineer at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a strong record in sustainable water systems, life cycle assessment, and resource recovery. With decades of experience in federal research, Ma has played a crucial role in developing tools and strategies to inform urban water reuse, address emerging contaminants, and enhance wastewater treatment. She is widely recognized for her contributions to systems analysis, policy engagement, and interagency collaboration, significantly advancing national efforts toward a net-zero water economy and climate resilience in environmental infrastructure.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Serving as a senior research environmental engineer at the EPA, Xin Ma has progressed through a distinguished federal career. Her work spans technical research, strategic program leadership, and stakeholder engagement. At the EPA's Cincinnati and Athens labs, she has led numerous research initiatives focused on decentralized water reuse, nutrient recovery, and emergy accounting. She has also served as a Contracting Officer’s Representative and Principal Investigator on major projects, advancing sustainability goals across multiple EPA programs. Her extensive involvement in grant reviews, technical writing, and expert panels further reflects a comprehensive and impactful professional journey.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Ma's research focuses on sustainable urban water systems, water reuse, life cycle and cost assessment, and nutrient recovery. Her investigations aim to optimize the environmental and economic performance of water and wastewater treatment technologies. With a multidisciplinary systems approach, she explores how emerging contaminants, climate variability, and circular resource flows impact water infrastructure. A significant emphasis is placed on integrating ecological accounting metrics like emergy into life cycle thinking. Her work supports resilient infrastructure development, particularly in decentralized and fit-for-purpose water reuse strategies, promoting equity, efficiency, and sustainability in environmental decision-making.

AWARD AND HONOR

Xin Ma has received numerous accolades, including the 2025 AWWA ACE Water 2050 MVP for Net Zero Water Economy and multiple U.S. EPA Scientific and Technological Achievement Awards. Her service has been recognized with honors from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for contributions to IPCC reviews. A consistent recipient of superior performance awards across various EPA divisions, her recognition spans over a decade. These honors reflect the national and international impact of her technical leadership, scientific excellence, and commitment to environmental innovation and sustainable development.

RESEARCH SKILL

Ma possesses expert-level skills in life cycle assessment, cost-benefit analysis, emergy accounting, and sustainability metrics. Her capabilities include modeling water reuse systems, evaluating environmental tradeoffs, and using integrated decision-support tools. She has led interdisciplinary teams in developing EPA-endorsed software such as the NEWR Calculator and the UEV Library. Her research integrates quantitative and qualitative metrics, blending environmental science, policy, and engineering. With a solid foundation in experimental design, data interpretation, and regulatory alignment, Ma excels in translating complex data into practical solutions for federal policy and sustainable infrastructure planning.

PUBLICATIONS

Title: Environmental Impacts and Cost of a Water Quality Trading Approach for NPDES Nutrient Permit Compliance in a Rural Watershed
Authors: Sam Arden; Ben Morelli; Joe Miller; Sagarika Rath; Jennifer Ferrando; George Azevedo; Smiti Nepal; Bayou Demeke; Xin (Cissy) Ma
Journal: Water Research X, 2025


Title: Onsite Non-potable Reuse for Large Buildings: Environmental and Economic Suitability as a Function of Building Characteristics and Location
Authors: Sam Arden; Ben Morelli; Sarah Cashman; Xin (Cissy) Ma; Michael Jahne; Jay Garland
Journal: Water Research, 2021


Title: Human Health, Economic and Environmental Assessment of Onsite Non-Potable Water Reuse Systems for a Large, Mixed-Use Urban Building
Authors: Sam Arden; Ben Morelli; Mary Schoen; Sarah Cashman; Michael Jahne; Xin (Cissy) Ma; Jay Garland
Journal: Sustainability, 2020


Title: Holistic Analysis of Urban Water Systems in the Greater Cincinnati Region: (1) Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Implications
Authors: Xiaobo Xue; Sarah Cashman; Anthony Gaglione; Janet Mosley; Lori Weiss; Xin Cissy Ma; Jennifer Cashdollar; Jay Garland
Journal: Water Research X, 2019


Title: Holistic Analysis of Urban Water Systems in the Greater Cincinnati Region: (2) Resource Use Profiles by Emergy Accounting Approach
Authors: Sam Arden; Xin (Cissy) Ma; Mark Brown
Journal: Water Research X, 2019

 

CONCLUSION

Through a career grounded in research excellence and public service, Xin Ma exemplifies leadership in sustainable water infrastructure and environmental systems thinking. Her contributions have driven forward national priorities in climate adaptation, water reuse, and resource efficiency. By integrating science, engineering, and policy, she delivers solutions that support resilient communities and ecological health. From tool development to global collaboration on climate reports, her influence spans local, national, and international levels. Xin Ma continues to shape the future of environmental engineering through rigorous analysis, stakeholder engagement, and innovation in sustainability practices.