Frederick George Pohland Medal
2025 Frederick George Pohland Medal Recipient:
Zhen (Jason) He, Ph.D., BCEEM
Laura and William Jens Professor of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
McKelvey School of Engineering
NC State University
Zhen (Jason) He is a distinguished professor in the Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis’s McKelvey School of Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from WashU in 2007, following an M.Sc. from the Technical University of Denmark (2003) and a B.S. from Tongji University in China (2000).
His research expertise lies at the intersection of chemical and environmental engineering, with a strong focus on resource recovery technologies for sustainable wastewater treatment. He specializes in environmental biotechnology, bioenergy production, bioelectrochemical systems, anaerobic digestion, forward osmosis, membrane bioreactors, and desalination. He actively investigates methods for extracting valuable resources from wastewater, demonstrating a commitment to advancing circular economy solutions.
Professor He’s career includes significant academic leadership. After serving as an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and subsequently as a tenured associate and full professor at Virginia Tech (from 2013 to 2019), he joined WashU faculty on January 2, 2020. At WashU, he directed the Center for Water Innovation (CWI), co‑chairs major international conferences, and receives national recognition for his influence in the field.
He holds prominent editorial roles, serving as Editor‑in‑Chief for both the Journal of Hazardous Materials and Water Environment Research, and has been honored as a highly cited researcher and recipient of the ASCE’s Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize in 2018. His recent accolades include the 2025 Frederick George Pohland Medal, highlighting his contributions to linking environmental engineering research, education, and practice.
Zhen (Jason) He is a globally recognized leader in sustainable environmental engineering, combining groundbreaking research, effective leadership, and educational impact to drive innovations in wastewater treatment and resource recovery.
Past Winners
Previous distinguished recipients of this honor include:
Year |
Recipient |
2024 |
Detlef Knappe, Ph.D. |
2023 |
Berrin Tansel, Ph.D, P.E., BCEE |
2022 |
John Sutherland, Ph.D., BCEEM |
2021 |
Nancy G. Love, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2020 |
Debra R. Reinhart, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2019 |
Spyros G. Pavlostathis, Ph.D., BCEEM |
2018 |
Charles B. Bott, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2017 |
Daniel B. Oerther, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2016 |
Glen Daigger, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2015 |
Morton Barlaz, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2014 |
C. P. Leslie Grady, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2013 |
H. David Stensel, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2012 |
Michael K. Stenstrom, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2011 |
John T. Novak, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2010 |
David W. Jenkins, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2009 |
Louis J. Thibodeaux, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2008 |
Makram Suidan, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2007 |
George Tchobanoglous, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2006 |
C. Herb Ward, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2005 |
Raymond C. Loehr, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
2005 |
R. Rhodes Trussell, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE |
About the Frederick George Pohland Medal
This award honors an individual who has made sustained and outstanding efforts to bridge environmental engineering research, education, and practice. Only members of AEESP and/or the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) are eligible to receive this award. The award will consist of a medal, a $1000 cash award, and reimbursement of travel costs of up to $1,000 for travel to the award ceremony.
Nominations must be made by members of AEESP and/or AAEES. Nomination packages should include: (1) a cover letter from the nominator; (2) a full curriculum vitae for the nominee; (3) and at least two, but not more than five, additional letters of recommendation. Past nominations will be carried over and considered for three years and can be modified during this period.
Dr. Frederick G. Pohland (1931-2004) was Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Professor and Edward R. Weidlein Chair of Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Fred's research led to fundamental advances in anaerobic processes. He received numerous honors and awards and was the author of more than 150 technical and scientific publications. Dr. Pohland was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1993 for advancing the theory of anaerobic treatment processes and applications to solid waste management. Committed to applying research to practice and disseminating vital information, Dr. Pohland founded and chaired International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Committees to bring together practitioners, researchers and educators. Fred Pohland was a valued colleague and very dedicated to advancement of the profession of environmental engineering.
AAEES and AEESP thank the Pohland family and other donors to the Frederick George Pohland Memorial Fund for their generosity in establishing this award.