Boyang Wang

Areas of expertise

• Water Science and Engineering

Background

I completed an MSc by Research project at Cranfield University (Mar 2024 - Sept 2025), supervised by Prof. Ana Soares. My research developed practical strategies to reduce nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from activated-sludge wastewater treatment while keeping nitrogen removal stable. I used encapsulated microorganisms (“biocatalysts”) as modular interventions across nitrification and denitrification, integrating process engineering with microbial ecology to limit N₂O formation and enhance its terminal reduction in real wastewater settings. The work points to implementable, low-disruption upgrades for utilities pursuing net-zero and resilience, and informs operating set-points and control tactics for full-scale plants.

Currently I am a PhD student within the CDT WIRe program "Reimagining and intensifying total nutrient removal secondary biological treatment processes to meet net zero targets" (Dec 2025 - Dec 2029). The project is fully funded by EPSRC, Yorkshire Water, Southern Water, Stantec and Microvi.

Research opportunities

Boyang Wang’s research interests focus on the mitigation of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions during nitrification and denitrification in wastewater treatment systems, contributing to greenhouse gas reduction efforts as well as nutrient removal from wastewater..

Current activities

Boyang Wang will be starting with a PhD project at Cranfield Water Sciences Institute with Ana Soares.

Clients

• Severn Trent PLC
• Microvi Biotech Inc
• Ofwat Innovation Fund
• Yorkshire Water
• Southern Water