R. Wang (Ranran)

Both my research and teaching aim to better elucidate and leverage the anthropogenic effects on natural environments in the context of infrastructure transformation, globalization, and climate change. As systems modeler, I am particularly interested in:

The design and assessment of the next-generation, sustainable water infrastructure systems
Linking regional and global environmental impacts (esp. footprints) with local actions of individual consumers
Understanding human drivers of the changing water and other environments

The research is built upon my cross-disciplinary academic training in water and environmental science, engineering and management, and research experiences with systems modeling such as life cycle assessment (LCA), multi-regional input-output analysis (MRIOA), system dynamics modeling, and econometric analysis.

Education

2011/2016 PhD, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, USA.
Thesis: Modeling the paths towards sustainable water systems
2008/2010 Master of Environmental Science, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, USA.
Thesis: Monitoring and assessing the contaminant removal effectiveness of constructed wetlands along Lake Whitney, Connecticut.
2004/2008 Bachelor of Science (Geography), School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, China

Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET), Water Management (WEMWM)

Selected publications

Peer-reviewed publications

Font Vivanco, D.; Wang, R. and E. Hertwich (2017). “Nexus strength: a novel metric for assessing the global resource nexus.” Journal of Industrial Ecology (in press).
Wang, R.; J. B. Zimmerman; C. Wang; D. Font Vivanco and E. Hertwich (2017). "Freshwater Vulnerability beyond Local Water Stress: Heterogeneous Effects of Water-Electricity Nexus Across the Continental United States." Environmental Science & Technology 51(17): 9899-9910.
Wang, C.; R. Wang; E. Hertwich and Y. Liu (2017). "A technology-based analysis of the water-energy-emission nexus of China's steel industry." Resources Conservation and Recycling 124: 116-128.
Wang, R.; E. Hertwich and J. B. Zimmerman (2016). "(Virtual) Water Flows Uphill toward Money." Environmental Science & Technology 50(22): 12320-12330 (ACS Editors’ Choice award; the “most read” article of Environmental Science & Technology (within a 30-day period)).
Wang, R.; Zimmerman, J., Hybrid Analysis of Blue Water Consumption and Water Scarcity Implications at the Global, National, and Basin Levels in an Increasingly Globalized World. Environmental Science & Technology 2016, 50 (10), 5143-53.
Wang, R.; Zimmerman, J. B., Economic and Environmental Assessment of Office Building Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Various US Cities. Environmental Science & Technology 2015, 49 (3), 1768-1778.
Mo, W.; Wang, R.; Zimmerman, J. B., Energy-Water Nexus Analysis of Enhanced Water Supply Scenarios: A Regional Comparison of Tampa Bay, Florida, and San Diego, California. Environmental Science & Technology 2014, 48 (10), 5883-5891.
Wang, R.; Eckelman, M. J.; Zimmerman, J. B., Consequential Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Assessment of Green and Gray Stormwater Infrastructures for Combined Sewer Systems. Environmental Science & Technology 2013, 47 (19), 11189-11198.

Selected conference presentations/posters

Wang, R., Systems-based solutions to emerging water problems. Center for Industrial Ecology Lunchtime Speakers Series, February 17, 2016, New Haven, CT.
Wang, R., Hertwich, E. G., Zimmerman, J. B., (Virtual) Water Flows Uphill towards Money. Gordon Research Conference in Industrial Ecology, June 19-24, 2016, Stowe, VT.
Wang, R, Hertwich, E. G., Zimmerman, J. B., Virtual Water Trade: the Driver and Impacts. NSF-UCLA Workshop towards Food, Energy and Water Security, Dec.2-4, 2015, Los Angeles, CA.
Wang, R., Zimmerman, J. B., Water Footprints: From Consumption Perspective to Consumer Empowerment. AEESP Research and Education Conference, June 13-16, 2015, New Haven, CT.
Wang, R, Zimmerman, J. B., Exploring the Water-Energy Nexus in an Interconnected, Dynamic, and Uncertain World”. 31st International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, July 21-25, 2013, Cambridge, MA.
Wang, R, Zimmerman, J. B., Water Energy Nexus: Vicious Cycle, Tradeoff, or Coupled Solution? NSF CMMI Engineering Research and Innovation Conference, July 9-12, 2012, Boston, MA.

Published book chapter

S. An, Wang, R. (2009), “Chapter 12: Human-induced Drivers of the Development of Lake Taihu” in Lectures on China’s Environment, pp151-165. School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Press, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.

I teach Water Footprint Assessment with Dr. Arjen Hoekstra and a new course on Water, Food, and Energy.