Environmental Engineer Ali Ling is One in Forty
Alison (Ali) Ling (BCE 2008), a self-professed "microbe nerd," has been recognized by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists as one of 40 Under 40. The AAEES list recognizes talented individuals who have helped advance the fields of Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering in a demonstrable way within the last 12 months. A nominee must be under 40 at the end of the calendar year in which they are nominated.
After earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, Ling went on to earn her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado Boulder where she was co-advised in engineering and microbial ecology. After a career in consulting at Barr Engineering, Ling now works as an Assistant Professor at the University of St Thomas. Ling is a registered professional engineer in Minnesota and a member of the Water Environment Federation (WEF). She previously served as a member of the CEGE Professional Advisory Board.
Ling’s family has been involved with CEGE a long time. Her grandparents, Joseph and Rose Ling, immigrated to the US from China in the 1950s. Her grandfather, Joseph Ling, earned his Ph.D. in environmental engineering (then called sanitary engineering) here in 1952. Her grandmother was the first woman to earn a Master’s degree in chemical engineering from UMN. Together they established the Joseph and Rose Ling Professorship in Civil Engineering (held by William Arnold) and the Joseph and Rose Ling Chair in Environmental Engineering (held by Department Head Paige Novak). Many other Ling family members have also attended UMN.
From the AAEES profile: "Ali’s career has focused on using basic science concepts from environmental chemistry and microbiology to solve engineering problems. Her previous research leveraged microbial ecology tools to understand the built environment, including indoor air and wastewater collection and water distribution systems. During nine years in consulting, Ali addressed developed water and wastewater treatment solutions for clients across municipal, mining, and manufacturing sectors.
". . . Her current research program aims to support informed decision making in the water industry. Recent work has focused on big-picture thinking surrounding PFAS treatment and remediation, including estimating costs and environmental impacts of widespread remedial efforts and treatment of wastewater effluent and biosolids."
CEGE is proud to see Ali Ling succeed and receive recognition for her great work.