Researcher Dr. Daniel Dianchen Gang named fellow by prestigious civil engineering society

A University of Louisiana at Lafayette researcher has been named a fellow by the nation’s oldest engineering society.

Dr. Daniel Dianchen Gang, a professor in UL Lafayette’s Department of Civil Engineering, earned the designation from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The ASCE, which was founded in 1852, has more than 150,000 members across the world.

Only 3% are fellows, researchers who “have made celebrated contributions and developed creative solutions that change lives,” according to the ASCE website.

Gang, an internationally recognized leader in environmental engineering, is founding director of the UL Lafayette’s Center of Environmental Engineering and Protection. His research interests include physicochemical water and wastewater treatment, environmental chemistry and transport of contaminants in engineered and natural aqueous systems.

“The driving force behind UL Lafayette’s recent designation as an R1 institution are faculty members like Dr. Gang. His tireless efforts in providing solutions to issues that challenge society is indicative of a campus wide dedication to excellence,” said Dr. Ahmed Khattab, dean of the University’s College of Engineering.

Gang has been involved in numerous state and federal research projects for the National Science Foundation, NASA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and state agencies, with over $18 million in grants and contracts. He has served on many NSF panels, and is active with numerous professional societies, editorial boards and review panels.

He has authored or co-authored more than 200 papers in leading peer-reviewed journals and has presented his research internationally. Gang has several U.S. patents. He is a four-time recipient of the University’s Certificate of Achievement in Innovation.

Gang’s research outcomes have been widely applied in the water and wastewater industry. He has provided process-engineering expertise for the planning and design of water and wastewater treatments in municipal and industrial facilities. His book, “Modeling of THM and HAA Formation in Surface Waters upon Chlorination,” has been impactful in the drinking water industry for its disinfection byproducts control model. The model has been adopted by the EPA and the American Water Works Association.

“I have devoted my life to improving the quality of human life and finding creative solutions to real problems that impact our lives. That is very meaningful to me, which is why I’m so proud of my research, this fellowship, and the opportunity to mentor so many successful undergraduate and graduate students,” Gang said. 

Gang has mentored numerous undergraduate students and researchers, including more than 70 doctoral graduates, master’s graduates and postdoctoral associates. He was awarded the University’s Distinguished Professor Award in 2019.

Gang received his professional engineering license in Missouri in 2003 and his West Virginia license in 2005. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Missouri.

Caption: Dr. Daniel Dianchen Gang, a professor in UL Lafayette’s Department of Civil Engineering, has been named a fellow by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Only 3% of the society’s more than 150,000 members earn the designation. Image credit: University of Louisiana at Lafayette