Zhi (George) ZHOU, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, ENV SP
I am an associate professor of Civil Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue University. My research focuses on the application of biotechnologies in engineering systems and my recent projects include development of molecular microbiology techniques to evaluate antibiotic resistant bacteria in natural and urban environments, production of cost-effective biofuels, electrochemical filtration with nanomaterials, and indirect and direct potable reuse. Currently I teach wastewater treatment process, environmental biotechnology, design project, and direct potabilization. Previously I was an assistant professor of Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where I taught wastewater microbiology, topics in environmental biotechnology, environmental engineering principles, and design project. Prior to joining NUS, I was a consulting engineer at Carollo Engineers at California and conducted various consulting projects on UV disinfection, emerging contaminant removal, and cost-effective technologies for water reclamation. I am a licensed Professional Engineer (Civil Engineer) in California.
Professional Experience
2020 – present, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
2014 – 2020, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
2017, Visiting Professor, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
2010 – 2014, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
2007 – 2010, Consulting Engineer, Carollo Engineers, Walnut Creek, CA
2006 – 2007, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
2002 – 2007, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
2004, Visiting Student, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Groupe ENSIC, Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, Université de Lorraine, Nancy cedex, France
Education
2007, Ph.D., Environmental Science in Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
2002, M.S., Environmental Science, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
1999, B.S., Environmental Science, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
Professional Certifications
2018 – present, Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP), Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure
2017 – present, Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE), American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists
2010 – present, Professional Engineer (PE) in Civil Engineering, California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, CA
2010, Certificate, ABET workshop on “Developing Sustainable Program Assessment Processes” by Dr. Gloria Rogers, MD-Professional Services, ABET, Inc.
2003 – 2006, Certified Livestock Manager, Illinois Department of Agriculture, IL
Honors and Awards
2024, Central Region Finalist of the EnergyTech University Prize competition by Nathan Bone (M.S. student), Amanda Lopez (Ph.D. student), and Sharon Huges (Ph.D. almuna)
2024, Outstanding Engineering Teachers, College of Engineering, Purdue University
2023, Most Impactful Faculty Inventors of Fiscal Year 2023, Purdue University
2023, Seed for Success Acorn Award, Purdue University
2023, PLOS ONE Editorial Board Long Service Award
2023, New Venture Challenge Audience Choice Award in the Purdue Innovates Startup Expo for Sharon Huges and Amanda Lopez (Ph.D. students)
2023, Champion in the Great Lakes region and Technology Bonus Prize semifinalist for the category of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management for the EnergyTech University Prize competition by Sharon Huges and Amanda Lopez (Ph.D. students)
2022, Finalist of National AES Energy Innovation Challenge for Sharon Huges and Amanda Lopez (Ph.D. students)
2021, Outstanding Engineering Teachers, College of Engineering, Purdue University
2019, Outstanding Faculty Mentor of Environmental and Ecological Engineering Graduate Students, Purdue University
2018, Best Poster Award in 39th Annual Indiana Water Resources Association Symposium for Zhe Sun (Ph.D. student)
2012, Excellence Award of the ESE Poster Symposium for Yuanyan Du (FYP student)
2012, Merit Award of the ESE Poster Symposium for Steve Chenghui Lin (FYP student)
2011, President’s Graduate Fellowship for Xinzhu YI (Ph.D. student)
2010, Certificate of Appreciation, Chinese American Environmental Professionals Association, Oakland, CA, U.S.
2007, Graduate College Conference Travel Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2007, Racheff Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2006, Racheff Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2005, Second Class Award of the Natural Science Award (2nd author), Nanjing, China
2005, Racheff Graduate Student Travel Fund Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2004, American Society for Microbiology Travel Grant
2002, University Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2002, John W. Page Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2001, Commendation on Developing New Technology of Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Jiangsu Department of Science and Technology, China.
2001, Excellence Fellowship, Nanjing University
Professional Affiliations
2012 – present, Academic Editor, PLOS ONE
2021 – present, Editorial Board Member, International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation
2011 – present, Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
2011 – present, Member, International Water Association (IWA)
2011 – present, Member, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP)
2004 – present, Member, American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
2000 – present, Lifetime Member, Chinese Society of Microbiology (CSM)
2012 – 2014, Honorary Auditor, BioEnergy Society of Singapore (BESS)
2008 – 2010, Member, American Water Works Association (AWWA)
2007 – 2010, Board Director and Membership Chair, Chinese American Environmental Professionals Association (CAEPA)
2007 – 2010, Member, Water Environment Federation (WEF)