Recent CCEE graduate recognized with two dissertation awards

Recent CCEE graduate Qian Luo (Ph.D. 2022), won the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) Doctoral Dissertation Award for her dissertation, “Integration of power systems and air quality models to mitigate negative health and climate impacts of electricity generation.” Winners are chosen for their unusually significant contribution to the fields of air quality, all types of waste, or sustainability/management pertaining to air quality or waste. She will be recognized at the A&WMA Annual Conference & Exhibition Student Awards Ceremony and Reception in Alberta, Canada, on June 26.

Luo was also selected as the honorable mention for the Paul V. Roberts/Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award for her dissertation, “Integration of power systems and air quality models to mitigate negative health and climate impacts of electricity generation.” This prestigious fully endowed award is given annually to recognize a rigorous and innovative doctoral thesis that advances the science and practice of water quality engineering for either engineered or natural systems and also recognizes research that supports underserved communities, environmental awareness, or sustainable solutions. She will be recognized during the annual AEESP Awards Presentation on June 18. 

Luo was advised by Associate Professors Jeremiah Johnson and Fernando Garcia Menendez and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University. Her dissertation tackles the challenge of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions within the power sector, with a particular emphasis on air pollution, public health and justice implications associated with power plant emissions. Her current research involves developing and using energy system modeling tools to better understand how energy-related policies/regulations impact the energy system, human health, and climate.

“I felt very honored to receive these recognitions and also excited to know that I got both awards at the same time,” Luo said. “I am extremely grateful to my advisors for providing me the opportunity to learn and explore this topic and supporting me from all perspectives.”