DATE: November 06, 2007

CONTACT: Yanru Yang, (864) 656-1448
YYANRU@CLEMSON.EDU

WRITER: Alex HIll, (864) 656-2061
ahill2@clemson.edu

Clemson University professor named DuPont Young Professor

CLEMSON — Yanru Yang, assistant professor in the department of environmental engineering and science at Clemson University, was named a DuPont Young Professor by the DuPont Fellows Forum. Yang is now a member of the 40th class of DuPont Young Professors.

The award was created 40 years ago, and more than 500 young professors have received the recognition.  In total, more than $42 million in grants have been awarded to these professors around the world.

Yang will receive a grant of $25,000 per year for three years and is invited to meet with members of the DuPont Fellows Forum to present her work in a seminar.  She may use the grant money to obtain matching funds through the National Science Foundation or other organizations.

Yang received her doctorate in environmental engineering from Tsinghua University (China) in 1996.  She is focused on environmental biotechnology with a particular interest in microorganisms relevant to the degradation of hazardous substances and treatment of water and waste.

The DuPont Young Professors program was designed to provide unrestricted startup assistance to promising young professors.  A member of the DuPont technical staff, who agrees to serve as the contact between DuPont and the faculty member, nominates each faculty member.  The decision for making the awards resides with the DuPont Fellows Forum, which includes the top scientist at DuPont.