Hao Jiming, Dean of the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering at Tsinghua University

Hao Jiming, born on August 25, 1946, in Liangshan County, Shandong Province, is an expert in environmental engineering. He is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, a Foreign Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, and a Professor and PhD Supervisor at the School of Environment, Tsinghua University. His primary research areas are energy and environment, and atmospheric pollution control engineering.

In September 1965, Hao Jiming entered Tsinghua University to study Water Supply and Drainage Engineering.

In March 1970, he graduated with a bachelor's degree and stayed on to teach at the university.

In September 1978, he enrolled in the graduate program in Nuclear Environmental Engineering at Tsinghua University.

In January 1981, after obtaining his master's degree, he went to the United States for further studies, entering the Environmental Engineering program at the University of Cincinnati.

In October 1984, he graduated with a PhD degree.

In December 1994, he served as Director of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Tsinghua University (until July 1999).

In 1997, he served as Dean of the Environmental Engineering Design and Research Institute at Tsinghua University.

In 1998, he was appointed as a Distinguished Professor at Tsinghua University.

In 1999, upon the establishment of the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering at Tsinghua University, he became its first Dean.

In 2005, he was elected as an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, affiliated with the Faculty of Environment and Light Textile Engineering (Atmospheric Pollution Prevention).

In March 2006, upon the establishment of the Tsinghua-Toyota Research Center, he served as its Director.

In April 2007, upon the establishment of the Tsinghua Global Environment Research Center, he served as its Director.

In June 2010, he was elected as Director of the Faculty of Environment and Light Textile Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

In 2014, he was elected as President of the Council of the International Ecological Economy Promotion Association (IEEPA).

In January 2016, he received the 2015 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award, becoming the first scientist from mainland China to win this award.

In December 2016, he received the "IBM Faculty Award for Outstanding Global Scholars."

In February 2018, he was elected as a Foreign Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to "leading research, development, and implementation of air pollution control theories, strategies, and technologies."

In 2020, he was selected as one of the "Most Beautiful Science and Technology Workers" and received the 13th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award.

In March 2022, he served as Honorary Dean of the Carbon Neutrality Future Technology College at Sichuan University.

As of 2025, he continues to serve as a senior professor at the School of Environment, Tsinghua University, remaining active in research and guidance in the field of atmospheric pollution control. In 2024, he received the Research.com Environmental Sciences in China Leader Award.

Research AchievementsResearch Overview

For over 40 years, Hao Jiming has dedicated himself to air pollution control research in China. His pioneering work has shaped national strategies, from delineating acid rain and sulfur dioxide control zones adopted by the State Council, to establishing urban vehicle pollution control methods and advancing theories for megacity air quality improvement. These efforts have driven China's shift toward integrated regional joint prevention and control of complex atmospheric pollution, providing foundational support for sustained environmental progress.

Major Achievements and Projects

• 2008: As the leading expert, led the development of "Air Quality Assurance Measures for the 29th Beijing Olympic Games," which was approved and implemented by the State Council.
• 2010s onward: Led major national initiatives, including serving as chief expert for the "National Key R&D Program on Causes and Treatment of Heavy Air Pollution" (Prime Minister's Fund project), delivering critical technical support for haze governance in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and significantly reducing heavy pollution days and PM2.5 levels.
• 2023: Published research on the growing impact of aviation on China's air quality and human health (Environmental Science & Technology).
• 2024:
  • Advanced machine learning applications using dynamic traffic data for air quality mapping and environmental justice assessments.
  • Revealed health impacts of trans-regional air pollution transport (Environment International).
  • Co-authored a comprehensive review on challenges and prospects in China's air pollution control (Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering).
  • Developed forecasting tools for optimized emission control strategies.

These contributions have strengthened the integrated "vehicle-fuel-road" emission control system and regional collaboration mechanisms, offering essential scientific backing for China's "Blue Sky Defense Battle" and carbon neutrality ambitions.