ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment

The American Society of Civil Engineers awards Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Assistant Professor Sergi Garcia-Segura the Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize for his innovative research in developing processes that use electricity to drive chemical reactions within the water itself to remove hard-to-treat pollutants.

These electrochemical water treatment processes remove contaminants using less energy and fewer additional chemicals than conventional methods. Systems based on these processes could provide effective, decentralized water treatment in remote areas, locations with limited infrastructure systems and communities affected by disasters.

“My goal is to translate these processes into scalable technologies to address real-world challenges in water treatment, environmental protection and sustainable infrastructure,” Garcia Segura says. “This will help ensure communities have access to safe, reliable and sustainable water supplies for generations to come.” https://ow.ly/Q0mm50Ze1Vs 💧

Congratulations to faculty members Zhihua Wang, Elham "Ellie" Fini and David Grau on their promotions to the rank of full professor at the ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. We are so proud of their world-class research, accomplishments and amazing work with our students. 🎉

See what Ira Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Regents Professor Paul Westerhoff says about what biofilms, UVC light and the International Space Station can teach us about water systems beyond Earth in the NextDrop Question at https://mohaunfiltered.substack.com/p/nextdrop-question-paul-westerhoff 💧

💰Looking for financial aid? ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment students in any degree program should apply now for the Paul C. Helmick Undergraduate Scholarship or the Paul C. Helmick Graduate Fellowship. Deadline extended to June 26, 2026. More at https://ow.ly/So5U50Z7ejJ 🎓

Are you looking to make a difference? Then apply now to join our great ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment Information Technology Team as a Systems Support Analyst. Learn more about this Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering career opportunity that closes on June 24, 2026. https://ow.ly/LhLo50ZaFmO 💻

🎉 : View and download photos from the ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment Graduation Celebration for Undergraduates, then share with those who helped along your way! https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVPwV 🎓 📸

Arizona State University researchers including Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Professor Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown and their collaborators have developed a new screening tool that may help identify children at risk for autism sooner than current assessments.

The Microbially-Derived Metabolite (MDM) System tests urine for 17 microbial metabolites — small molecules produced by microorganisms in the gut — in children ages 2 to 11 years.

“I am excited about the MDM test, which includes important microbial metabolites, previously hypothesized to be linked with autism. This test can be a great way to assess this important microbial contribution,” says Krajmalnik-Brown, co-author of the paper and director of ASU Biodesign Institute's Center for Health Through Microbiomes.

By measuring these metabolites in urine, the team discovered that they could distinguish children with autism from typically developing children in their study groups with high accuracy.

“What we've discovered is that 80 to 90% of children with autism have extremely high levels of one or more microbially derived metabolites,” says Christina Flynn, first author of the study who recently earned her doctorate in chemical engineering at the Fulton Schools. “Using this test will tell you which young children are at high risk for being diagnosed with autism, and guide treatment in those who have already been diagnosed to help them lead their best lives.” https://news.asu.edu/20260526-health-and-medicine-new-urine-test-provides-simple-way-screen-autism-children 🔬

Earn while you learn with an online degree from the ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment.

Explore an MSE in sustainable engineering at https://ow.ly/JYOe50Z8fU7

Earn a Bachelor's degree in construction management and technology at https://ow.ly/ROUV50Z8fUc

Move ahead with a Master's degree in construction management and technology at https://ow.ly/c1JU50Z8fUb 🌱 💧🏗️ 🎓

At an abandoned mine near Prescott, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Assistant Professor Hamed Khodadadi Tirkolaei and his team test ways to stabilize mining waste and reduce erosion that could carry contaminants into nearby waterways.

“By using an enzyme-based process to form natural mineral bonds within the soil, we can create a protective crust that helps limit erosion and dust generation while avoiding more chemically intensive treatments,” Khodadadi Tirkolaei says.

This Arizona Department of Environmental Quality supported project, is an example of how researchers across ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment explore ways to advance responsible critical-mineral production, reduce environmental impacts and strengthen domestic supply chains.

It also reflects the ASU Mining Innovation Initiative’s priorities to collaborate with industry to identify research, sustainability and workforce development needs and raise awareness about mining careers among K-12 students. https://ow.ly/KLA650Z7Hhh ⛏️

💰Seeking scholarships or fellowships? ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment students in any degree program are invited to learn more about and apply for the Paul C. Helmick Undergraduate Scholarship or the Paul C. Helmick Graduate Fellowship before the June 19, 2026, deadline at https://ow.ly/So5U50Z7ejJ 🎓