Tiezheng Tong

Tiezheng Tong strives to make fresh water more accessible to people in our changing climate.

“Water scarcity is one of the most important challenges faced by our society,” Tong says. “I chose to study environmental engineering, particularly desalination and water purification, because I hope to use my knowledge and skills to address this problem.”

Tong will use his expertise in his new role as an associate professor of civil, environmental and sustainable engineering in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University.

He says he was drawn to ASU because of the low amount of usable fresh water in Arizona. The Sonoran Desert’s arid environment and long-term drought make the region ideal for Tong’s research about membrane desalination and water purification. 

“There are a lot of opportunities for pushing the boundary of fundamental science and developing novel technologies in the field of desalination and water purification,” he says. “I am eager to collaborate with faculty members from different disciplines at ASU to perform interdisciplinary and convergent investigations to address the grand challenge of water scarcity. This role will also enable me to educate more next-generation environmental engineers, who will make our planet more sustainable.”

Prior to joining the Fulton Schools, Tong worked as an associate professor at Colorado State University.

During his career, Tong has been honored with multiple awards. His accomplishments include receiving a 2022 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award, being recognized with the 2024 Super Reviewer Award from the Environmental Science & Technology journal, and being named among those in the 2022 40 Under 40 Recognition Program from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Tong will teach CEE 561 Physical-Chemical Treatment of Water and Waste in spring 2025. The course instills advanced knowledge that will help future environmental engineers excel in the water industry.

When not at work, Tong enjoys watching soccer and basketball.

Meet the newest faculty members of the Fulton Schools of Engineering here.

Written by Lisa Irish