Speaker:  Masaru K. Nobu, PhD, Senior Researcher
                 Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Life has diversified over the course of four billion years to reach the wide array of species we see today. It is now common knowledge that, in modern days, biodiversity has begun to rapidly decrease in various habitats due to human activity and pollution. But the alternative consequence has yet to be evaluated: has human activity stimulated new evolutionary trajectories? I will show the newest genomic and phylogenetic analyses of microorganisms in wastewater treatment bioreactors treating xenobiotics—artificial compounds that nature has never or rarely seen—that reveal contemporary evolution stimulated by industrial activity.

Speaker Bio
I am a senior researcher at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, exploring life’s evolution through history recorded in genes and ancient physiologies hidden in elusive “living fossil” organisms. Life as we know it today is defined by its past, beginning from its emergence on our planet's seafloor four billion years ago; unraveling this history is critical in comprehending life's essence. Thus far, I have uncovered major turning points in life's history, including the origins of the three major divisions of life—bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes—and metabolisms deeply tied to these events—photosynthesis, methanogenesis, and syntrophy. Now, I am focusing on elucidation of how the Earth's vast ever-changing ocean guided the evolution of life's metabolisms, shapes, and ecology. Before my current position, I was a researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan. I received my bachelor’s degree from Carleton College in Minnesota and both my M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Speaker: 
Yinhai Wang, Phd, PE, Dist. M. ASCE
University of Washington

Artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of road transportation by reshaping traditional approaches and driving innovation in infrastructure, mobility and safety. This presentation explores the role of AI and edge computing in enhancing transportation system efficiency and intelligence. Drawing on research conducted at the University of Washington’s Smart Transportation Applications and Research Laboratory, Wang will share customized AI methods and edge computing tools developed to meet evolving transportation needs. The talk will also discuss the potential impact of these technologies on safety, mobility and infrastructure performance. 

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https://illinois.zoom.us/j/89890781073?pwd=CewiD3535GNiWvliWpS6nqBksMqnAE.1 

Meeting ID: 898 9078 1073
Passcode: 116680

The 30th Annual Environmental Engineering & Science Symposium marked a milestone in our program’s history, bringing together students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and keynote speakers to reflect on three decades of impactful research and community building. This year’s theme, “Engineering for a Sustainable Future: 30 Years of Innovation, Impact, and Community,” set the stage for a dynamic program featuring 44 posters and 12 podium presentations that spanned fundamental science and real-world engineering solutions. Big congratulations to our winners:

• MS Poster: 1st Haotian Yang, 2nd Anson Regi, 3rd Nehal Jain
• PhD Poster: 1st Jialin Liu, 2nd Laura Gray, 3rd Yiwen Zhang
• Podium Presentation: 1st Yoonjoo Seo, 2nd Jianan Feng, 3rd Lavanya Kudli

We were honored to welcome keynote speakers Prof. Yang Liu from Emory University and EES alumna Saskia Versteeg, now Director of Project Development & Supply Chain at Graphyte, who shared their expertise and career insights with the next generation of environmental engineers and researchers.

The celebration began with a special event focused on community resilience to environmental emergencies, with faculty speakers and professionals from public health, emergency management, and state and local agencies. This thoughtful and engaging discussion highlighted the importance of proactive communication and collaboration across sectors—lessons that are especially meaningful for students and postdocs building their professional networks.

 A heartfelt thank you goes to the organizing committee, led by Dr. Sotiria Koloutsou-Vakakis, and Dr. Joaquin Yus, with Suzanne Giesler, Rishabh Puri, Tessa Clarizio, Erin Emme, Gus Greenwood, and P S Ganesh Subramanian, and to all the volunteers and moderators who made the two events a success –see a complete list here: Symposium and Special Event. We’re already looking forward to next year’s gathering—with fresh perspectives and a new group of student leaders!

The American Association for Aerosol Research UIUC Student Chapter (AAAR@UIUC) won 3rd Place in Sustainability at Engineering Open House for their exhibit, “Care for the Air.” The exhibit featured interactive displays, including “smog in a jar,” real-time air quality as detected by low-cost sensors, and the impact of C-R boxes (a DIY air filter) on improving indoor air quality. We also discussed common indoor air pollutants, showing filter samples collected from chamber experiments. Attendees could make their own “pollution catchers” by putting petroleum jelly on a paper plate to “catch” pollutants in their own homes.

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