PEOPLE

Get to know the passionate experts driving our mission forward. Our team is a diverse group of scientists, researchers, and innovators, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to our work. United by a shared commitment to excellence and impact, we collaborate to push boundaries, solve challenges, and make a difference. Meet the people who are turning ideas into breakthroughs.

Zheng Cong

PhD STUDENTS

PhD Student, Environmental Science and Engineering (Aug 2024 - Present)

Biography

Zheng Cong is an environmental planner specializing in sustainable urban development. He earned a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2019, focusing on integrating green and gray infrastructure to mitigate urbanization's environmental impacts. His interest in urban resilience and low-intervention strategies began during his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated with High Honors in 2016. In 2024, Zheng joined KAUST to pursue a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering, aiming to advance research in climate change adaptation, sustainable urbanization, and water resource management. His work aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, promoting ecologically sound and socially inclusive development strategies.

Research Interests

Zheng Cong’s research focuses on sustainable urban development, climate change adaptation, and water resource management, particularly in arid environments. He explores green infrastructure, urban resilience, and low-intervention strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts of urbanization. His work integrates environmental modeling, stormwater management, and sustainable design practices, aiming to enhance spatial planning and urban sustainability. Zheng’s research aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, promoting ecologically sound, climate-resilient, and socially inclusive development strategies for sustainable urban futures.

Selected Publications

  • Qiu Y, Cong Z, Opiniano KN, Qiao X, Chen Z. (2023). Landscape Architecture Professional Knowledge Abstraction: Accessing, Applying and Disseminating. Land. https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112061

 

Education

  • PhD - Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 2027, KSA
  • M.Sc - Landscape Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design, 2019, USA
  • B.Sc - Landscape Architecture from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2016, USA

Awards

  • 2019: Student Project Merit Award, ASLA - Boston Chapter, Harvard Graduate School of Design
  • 2016: Bates Scholarship for Continuing Student Success, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • 2016: Charles Harris Travel Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • 2016: Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • 2016: Undergraduate Certificate of Merit, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • 2015, 2016: Dean’s List - Top 10% Student Honor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

KAUST Affiliations

• Climate and Livability Initiatives
• Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering
• Urban Lab

Research Interests Keywords

Green Infrastructure Sustainability Urban Climate Water Resource Management Climate Change Adaptation Stormwater Management
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