Dr. Zhuang has a broad range of professional interests, including innovative fundamental research, international program development, and transdisciplinary teaching on environmental science and sustainability. In research, he carries out experimental investigations on biophysical mechanisms of soil microbial processes, fate and transport of nanoparticles and harmful organic chemicals, and the nexus of food, energy and water systems (FEWS). In program development, as one of key members, he created and currently co-leads several international research and graduate study programs, such as US-China Joint Research Center for Ecosystems and Environmental Change (JRCEEC) and US-China Joint Doctoral Program of Environment, Energy and Food (i.e., 100-PhD Program or China Scholars Program). In teaching, he provides undergraduate and graduate students with transdisciplinary training for understanding the complexity and impacts of FEWS and preparing high-quality dissertation proposals.