In Spring 2024, two undergraduates were awarded the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Outstanding Junior and Outstanding Senior awards, thanks in part to the mentorship of postdoctoral scholar Huanqi He.

Guiding the Next Generation of Researchers

As a postdoc, He currently mentors a team of four undergraduate students and one graduate student in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Tech.

"Huanqi has been an invaluable mentor to me during my time as an undergraduate researcher,” said Harrison Baro, undergraduate student at Georgia Tech and one of He’s mentees. “Since joining her group, she has guided me through my work and explained to me the end goals of everything I do in the lab. Additionally, she has encouraged me to join her for sampling in the field so that I can have experience both in-lab and in the field. Huanqi has helped me improve my research skills and furthered my curiosity in the water quality field and I am so grateful to have her as a mentor."

With a focus on developing practical skills and fostering independence, He creates an inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds can comfortably collaborate and engage in discussions.

"Huanqi is an excellent research mentor,” said Jayden Thomas, undergraduate student at Georgia Tech and another of He’s mentees. “She is incredibly passionate about her research in water quality and an extremely patient and enthusiastic mentor. However, Huanqi also truly sees the value in mentoring the next generation of researchers to an extent I have rarely seen before as an undergraduate. Every time we work together, she is always asking about my plans, scientific ideas and generally hopes to use science as a medium to make the world a more equitable place. She sees and cares about the potential of all of her mentees. I am very happy her efforts are being celebrated."

Recognized for Research Excellence

He’s research focuses on water microbiome and disinfection byproducts monitoring and management to advance drinking water quality.

On Nov. 8, He participated in the Postdoctoral Research Symposium, hosted by the Office of Postdoctoral Services. Out of the 21 participants, He won “Best Research Talk Overall” for her presentation, “Building plumbing influences the microbial diversity and turnover patterns of the drinking water microbiome.”

Academic Achievements and Personal Passions

He received a Ph.D. and M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan and Purdue University, respectively. He was also a Harrison Prescott Eddy Metal recipient in 2023.

Outside of research, He enjoys rock climbing and hiking. Her favorite thing about Atlanta is spring and fall and seeing the “pretty flowers and colorful leaves.”