Tiezheng Tong, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been selected for the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists’ 40 Under 40.

This program recognizes talented individuals who have, either personally or as part of a team, been responsible for helping to advance the fields of environmental science or environmental engineering in a demonstrable way within the last 12 months. Winners are chosen by a panel that equally weighs business successes and civic/philanthropic activities.

“We are very pleased to announce that Tiezheng Tong has been named a 40 Under 40 winner in our inaugural class,” said Ilyse Shapiro, executive director of AAEES. “He is a shining star in today’s engineering world.”

Tong has made advances in fundamental science and the development of membrane technology to turn unconventional water sources into clean water. He is part of a $110 million initiative funded by the Department of Energy to improve and scale up water purification and desalination technologies.

“I am proud that my work at CSU could be recognized, and this award encourages me to work more to keep contributing to the excellence of environmental research of CSU,” Tong said. “I would like to thank my colleagues and students at CSU for their support and collaborations.”

Tong joined CSU’s faculty in 2017 following a postdoctoral position at Yale University. He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, which have been published in high-profile journals such as Nature Communications, Environmental Science & Technology and Energy & Environmental Science. He also has received the Young Membrane Scientist Award from the North American Membrane Society.