Person

Jie Zhuang

Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Overview

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.

Research Focus

(1) The Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems; (2) Biophysical Foundation of Soil Health; (3) Fate and Transport of Colloids and Contaminants

Research Questions
  • (1) How does soil pore system determine the characteristics, behaviors, and functions of soil microbial community? (2) What is the potential of adsorption-based processes (e.g., haptotaxis) for enhancing bioremediation? (3) How does the nexus of food, energy and water systems influence environmental sustainability?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ESS 561 - Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water
3 credit hour(s)

The challenges of food, energy, and water (FEW) resources for environmental sustainability in the face of increasing stresses of climate change, population growth, urbanization, and socioeconomic transitions. Concepts, framework, and impacts of FEW nexus will be taught in addition to case study analysis and literature-based discovery learning. Registration Restriction: Minimal student level – graduate.

ESS 593 - Special Problems in Environmental and Soil Science
1 - 3 credit hours

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.

Other Instructors: Radosevich, Mark A. | Eash, Neal | Schaeffer, Sean Michael

ESS 601 - Special Topics in Soil Science
1 - 3 credit hours

Thermodynamics of soil solutions, clay structure and surface chemistry, soil mineralogy, plant mineral nutrition, soil microbiology, water movement and use by plants, soil structure, soil thermal properties, interaction in the soil-plant environment.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Other Instructors: Schaeffer, Sean Michael | Radosevich, Mark A. | Essington, Michael E

Picture of Jie Zhuang
212 Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences Office Building
2506 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4531
Education and Training
  • PhD, Soil Science, Shenyang Agricultural University, China, 1993
  • MS, Soil Science, Shenyang Agricultural University, China, 1990
  • BS, Soil Science, Shenyang Agricultural University, China, 1987

Jie Zhuang

Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Picture of Jie Zhuang image
212 Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences Office Building
2506 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4531
Education and Training
  • PhD, Soil Science, Shenyang Agricultural University, China, 1993
  • MS, Soil Science, Shenyang Agricultural University, China, 1990
  • BS, Soil Science, Shenyang Agricultural University, China, 1987
Overview

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.

Research Focus

(1) The Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems; (2) Biophysical Foundation of Soil Health; (3) Fate and Transport of Colloids and Contaminants

Research Questions
  • (1) How does soil pore system determine the characteristics, behaviors, and functions of soil microbial community? (2) What is the potential of adsorption-based processes (e.g., haptotaxis) for enhancing bioremediation? (3) How does the nexus of food, energy and water systems influence environmental sustainability?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ESS 561 - Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water
3 credit hour(s)

The challenges of food, energy, and water (FEW) resources for environmental sustainability in the face of increasing stresses of climate change, population growth, urbanization, and socioeconomic transitions. Concepts, framework, and impacts of FEW nexus will be taught in addition to case study analysis and literature-based discovery learning. Registration Restriction: Minimal student level – graduate.

ESS 593 - Special Problems in Environmental and Soil Science
1 - 3 credit hours

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.

Other Instructors: Radosevich, Mark A. | Eash, Neal | Schaeffer, Sean Michael

ESS 601 - Special Topics in Soil Science
1 - 3 credit hours

Thermodynamics of soil solutions, clay structure and surface chemistry, soil mineralogy, plant mineral nutrition, soil microbiology, water movement and use by plants, soil structure, soil thermal properties, interaction in the soil-plant environment.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Other Instructors: Schaeffer, Sean Michael | Radosevich, Mark A. | Essington, Michael E