Following in her mother’s footsteps, Assistant Professor Yun Shen is at the forefront of addressing critical challenges at the nexus of the environment and health. Recently, the American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists (AAEES) recognized her remarkable contributions by naming her one of the rising stars in the field! As a 2025 recipient of AAEES’ 40 Under 40 Award, Shen joins a select group of early-career researchers honored for driving innovation in environmental science and engineering over the past year.
“Receiving the AAEES 40 Under 40 recognition is truly an honor and a meaningful milestone in my career. It validates the impact of my work and motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries of research and innovation in environmental engineering,” Shen stated.
Shen was inspired to pursue this career path by her mother’s stories of water contamination, drawn from her own experiences as an environmental engineer. Growing up, Shen also witnessed the effects of water contamination firsthand, reinforcing her passion for protecting public health against harmful environmental pathogens in wastewater and drinking water. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2016.
At GW Engineering, Shen’s research focuses on investigating the transmission and control of these pathogens through high-impact research funded by various sources. She studies the occurrence of bacterial pathogens in drinking water and their response to environmental stressors. In wastewater, her work examines the infectivity, persistence, and disinfection of enteric virus clusters–viruses that bind to bacteria, plastics, and vesicles–making them more resilient and infectious. She also investigates the detection of novel antibiotic-resistant genes in wastewater treatment processes. Ultimately, her research will advance understanding of pathogen health risks and inform sustainable strategies for public health protection.
Beyond the lab, Shen further demonstrates her dedication to the field by sharing her expertise with the academic community and mentoring the next generation of environmental engineers. Shen helps organize conferences and workshops, is a guest editor for journals, and reviews proposals and journal articles. Reflecting on this award, she emphasized its deeper significance: “This recognition also highlights the importance of creating inclusive opportunities in STEM.”
“As an educator and mentor, I am deeply committed to supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds, fostering diversity in research collaborations, and building an environment where future generations of engineers can thrive and address society’s most urgent environmental challenges,” said Shen.
Shen demonstrates a unique blend of innovation, dedication, and significant impact by integrating interdisciplinary approaches and student researchers into her efforts. Through both her groundbreaking research and commitment to mentorship, she is advancing solutions to environmental health challenges while empowering her students to continue this vital work to ensure cleaner, healthier communities.