civil, environmental and sustainable engineering research programs

Our faculty are actively engaged in many local, national and international-level research efforts that have great impact on economic development and environmental quality. These research efforts are concentrated in the area of sustainable urban engineering, with a particular emphasis on arid regions.

The ASU environmental engineering program has two general themes:

1. Much of the ongoing research focuses on or involves consideration of environmental processes occurring in arid regions of the world. Arizona has a semi-arid climate, and much of the population growth world-wide is occurring in similar climates. Unique aspects of air and water pollution and sustainable development in these climates are a strong organizing theme for research, seminars, and course work. However, the underlying fundamentals of semi-arid climate environmental engineering are universal to any climate.


2. Multidisciplinary sustainability-related activities via collaborative projects, courses, and seminars are strongly encouraged. The Environmental Engineering group has strong working relationships with microbiologists, plant biologists, ecologists, chemists, geologists, and social scientists around campus. Many of these collaborations address society-issues associate with developing urban environments.

CESE is the school of engineering leader in sustainable engineering. The graduate program receives national funding for a wide range of educational and research endeavors. Some of the exciting areas of ongoing research are related to the following:

(1) Sustainable Engineering of Urban Systems

(2) Environmental Biotechnology

(3) Environmental Nanotechnology

ASU provides a unique and supportive environment for interdisciplinary research and educational opportunities, which supports the focus of the research and educational programs of civil and environmental engineering faculty. Outstanding opportunities exist for students to develop strong, focused expertise in one of the available specialty areas as well as in relevant interdisciplinary studies, including sustainability and biotechnology.

Research Groups

• Dr. Edward Kavazanjian is the recipient of the Ralph B. Peck Award
• CESE Faculty Member Enrique Vivoni Honored at the White House
• The Pendyala Award
• Exploring the connection between anthropogenic activities, environmental quality and human health

Centers  

Center for Environmental Biotechnology
The Center for Environmental Biotechnology focuses on developing microbiological systems that capture or develop renewable resources and also prevent or clean up environmental pollution.

Center for Earth Systems Engineering and Management
The emerging field of earth systems engineering and management is timely and important for several reasons. For ASU in particular, this is an area where the University has established substantial initial credibility, and has an opportunity to leapfrog other potential competitors.

NSF Water & Environmental Technology Center
The WET Center has brought together a prestigious group of researchers within Arizona State University. These interdisciplinary research groups include biologists, chemists, physicists, hydrologists, engineers and social scientists who work together to resolve water quality problems.