Jia Liu named SIU research faculty fellow

January 12, 2023

Jia Liu named SIU research faculty fellow

Jia Liu, an associate professor in School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, has been appointed faculty fellow in the Office of Vice Chancellor for Research, effective Jan. 1. 

Liu, who has been at SIU Carbondale since 2015, will assist in developing “large, complex research grant applications in response to funding opportunities” identified by SIU Carbondale faculty or the OVCR, said Costas Tsatsoulis, vice chancellor for research and graduate school dean. Tsatsoulis noted Liu will assist in the OVCR meeting its goal of doubling federal research awards to $16 million for fiscal year 2024. 

She will also organize research development and training programs for faculty, including “Let’s Talk Research” discussions. Liu’s own research focuses on environmental nanotechnology — the fabrication of innovative nanomaterials, application of nanomaterials in water treatment and renewable energy production, and environmental impacts of nanomaterials. She also has expertise in bioelectrochemical systems as platforms for environmental remediation, resource recovery and energy generation. 

Tsatsoulis noted Liu’s experience in proposal preparation to federal agencies in collaborating with SIU faculty along with external agencies and institutions. As the lead principal investigator or sole PI, Liu has received several federal-level awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and a regional-level award from the Illinois Water Resources Center. In the past seven years, Liu has submitted more than 60 proposals and pre-proposals as PI, co-PI or senior personnel, with more than one-third selected for funding.