For Professor of Earth and Environmental Studies Yang Deng, creating solutions to the Earth’s water challenges – solutions that are affordable and, most importantly, sustainable – has grown from a passion into his life’s work. Named University Distinguished Scholar for the 2020-2021 academic year, he and his research team will have the chance to create new solutions for both New Jersey and beyond.

An environmental engineer, Dr. Deng’s expertise centers on the development of innovative and sustainable technologies to clean wastewater, stormwater runoff, and landfill leachate in order to protect drinking water and groundwater supplies from toxic metals, organic pollutants, water-borne pathogens, and excess nutrients.

During his time at Montclair State University, he has secured more than $2.5 million in research funding and authored or co-authored 125 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Committed to mentoring students and professionals at all levels, Dr. Deng has also provided guidance to high school interns from around New Jersey and early-career scientists around the world.

Dr. Deng and his research team study persistent organic pollutants known as “forever chemicals” – compounds such as pesticides, herbicides and other organic chemicals that pose risk to both the environment and public health – that are highly resistant to traditional methods of chemical, biological and photolytic degradation. The group will develop and test a new water treatment technology that targets these compounds.

Advanced technologies and innovative designs for environmental resilience and sustainability, particularly in:
Water treatment and reuse;
Urban and agricultural stormwater management;
Disaster resilience;
Mitigation of environmental emerging and persistent contaminants (e.g., PFAS);
Household water treatment;
Beneficial waste reuse.

Development of innovative and sustainable technologies to clean wastewater, stormwater runoff, and landfill leachate in order to protect drinking water and groundwater supplies from toxic metals, organic pollutants, water-borne pathogens, and excess nutrients.

Expert on innovative water treatment and reuse, and urban water.