Assist. Prof. Dr Fong-Zuo Lee | Water resources | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor , Department of Civil Engineering/ National Chung Hsing University , Taiwan

Fong-Zuo Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), Taiwan, since 2023. He previously held positions as a Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Assistant Fellow at National Taiwan University (NTU), where he contributed to research on water resource management, sediment transport, and hydraulic modeling. Dr. Lee holds a Ph.D. in Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering from NTU, alongside Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU). His academic work focuses on addressing key issues in reservoir sedimentation, river hydraulics, and water resource sustainability. In addition to his research, he is an active member of the International Association for Hydraulic Engineering and Research (IAHR) and several other professional societies. Dr. Lee has authored numerous journal articles and conference papers and is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions for water resource management and environmental sustainability.

Profile

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Strengths for the Award

        1. Strong Academic Background:

1. • Dr. Lee has an impressive academic trajectory, starting as a postdoctoral researcher at National Taiwan University (NTU), progressing to a project assistant fellow, and now holding a position as Assistant Professor at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU). This progression highlights his dedication to academic and professional growth.
2. Extensive Research Contributions:
   • Dr. Lee has demonstrated significant contributions to research in reservoir sedimentation, hydraulics, and river sediment transport—fields that are vital for sustainable water resource management. His work has led to the publication of 38 peer-reviewed journal articles, including in SCI and Scopus indexed journals, which is a solid reflection of his influence in his research field.
   • His papers are highly relevant and innovative, particularly the application of modeling techniques to study sediment transport and desilting efficiency, topics that have broad environmental and engineering implications.
3. Innovative Solutions in Reservoir Management:
   • Dr. Lee’s research in dredging techniques for reservoirs, hydraulic modeling, and floating barriers for woody debris management reflects his creativity and ability to find practical solutions to real-world problems. These innovations are crucial in the context of climate change, water resource management, and maintaining the ecological health of water bodies.
4. High Citation Index:
   • A citation count of 211 (Scopus) demonstrates that his research has been widely recognized and cited by peers, indicating the impact and relevance of his work in the academic community.
5. Prolific Publication and Editorial Work:
   • Dr. Lee has published multiple articles in leading journals and has collaborated with prominent researchers such as Professors Jihn-Sung Lai and Sameh Ahmed Kantoush, which signifies his position in an esteemed network of professionals.
   • His editorial appointments also suggest his expertise and reputation in the academic community.
6. Leadership and Multidisciplinary Approach:
   • His involvement in multidisciplinary research projects, including collaboration with engineers and hydrologists, indicates his ability to lead cross-disciplinary teams and his holistic approach to solving complex environmental engineering problems.
7. Patents and Books:
   • He holds 7 patents and has published books, showcasing his commitment to advancing both theoretical and applied aspects of his research. Patents are a strong indicator of the practical applicability of his work.

Areas for Improvement

1. Broader International Collaboration:
   • While Dr. Lee has strong national collaborations, expanding his research to involve more international institutions could further elevate his profile on the global stage. His work could benefit from more cross-border partnerships, especially with institutions in the EU or North America, to bring in diverse perspectives and resources.
2. Public Engagement and Outreach:
   • Dr. Lee’s work, while impactful in academia, could benefit from more public outreach and awareness campaigns. Given the environmental relevance of his research (e.g., reservoir management, water safety, and climate resilience), greater engagement with policy makers, industries, and the public could enhance the impact of his innovations.
3. Expanding Research into Policy or Practical Applications:
   • While his research has direct engineering applications, his efforts in bridging the gap between scientific innovation and practical policy implementation (e.g., advising governments on water management) could be expanded. Collaborations with governmental or non-governmental organizations in policy formulation could increase the societal impact of his work.

Education 

Fong-Zuo Lee earned his Ph.D. in Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering from National Taiwan University (NTU) in 2014, where he conducted extensive research on sediment transport in reservoirs and river systems. Prior to that, he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Taiwan. His academic journey equipped him with a robust understanding of hydraulic engineering, sediment dynamics, and water resource management, laying the foundation for his research on environmental sustainability and innovative water management practices. As a researcher, he has focused on the integration of hydrological models, sediment transport simulations, and engineering solutions to improve reservoir desilting and water conservation strategies. His doctoral and postdoctoral research was highly interdisciplinary, bridging civil and environmental engineering with practical applications in sustainable water systems and sediment management.

Research Focus 

Dr. Fong-Zuo Lee’s research focuses primarily on the study of sediment transport in river systems and reservoirs, with an emphasis on preventing sedimentation and optimizing sediment management strategies. His work spans hydraulic modeling, sediment transport simulations, and watershed management. He is particularly interested in the development of advanced models to predict sediment behavior under various hydrological conditions, including during extreme weather events. Another significant area of his research is bridge pier scour simulation and the effects of sedimentation on infrastructure. Dr. Lee also explores the use of artificial intelligence and sensor systems for real-time monitoring and early warning in hydraulic environments, such as for detecting and mitigating bridge scour during floods. His projects aim to improve water conservation practices, enhance riverine ecosystem management, and inform better policy for sustainable water resource development. His contributions have practical implications for water quality, infrastructure stability, and environmental protection.

Publications

1. Modeling and Analysis of Turbidity Currents in a Reservoir with the Dredged Guiding Channel 🌊🔬
2. Application of Artificial Countermeasures to Enhance Desilting Efficiency in a Reservoir Under Normal and Extreme Events 🌧️🏞️
3. The Two-Dimensional Hydraulic and Sediment Transport Simulation of Dredging Scenarios in Huajiang Wetland 🌿💧
4. Experimental Study with Hydraulic Modeling of a Reservoir Desilting Operation Using a Sediment Bypass Tunnel 🚧💦
5. Apply Two-Dimensional Layer-Averaged Model and Theoretical Orifice Flow Equations to Estimate Desilting Efficiency ⚙️🌍
6. Desilting Efficiency Improvement Using a Dredged Channel in a Reservoir 🏞️🔧
7. Physical Model Setup and Tests on Cooling Circulation Water Pumping Intake System 🔬💡
8. Reservoir Sediment Management and Downstream River Impacts for Sustainable Water Resources—Case Study of Shihmen Reservoir 💧🌍
9. The Artificial Intelligence of Things Sensing System of Real-Time Bridge Scour Monitoring for Early Warning During Floods 🤖🌊
10. Minimizing the Impact of Vacating Instream Storage of a Multi-Reservoir System: A Trade-Off Study of Water Supply and Empty Flushing 🌊🔄

Conclusion

Dr. Fong-Zuo Lee is highly deserving of recognition for the Best Researcher Award. His extensive academic background, groundbreaking contributions in the fields of hydraulic modeling, sediment transport, and environmental engineering, coupled with a strong citation record and innovative solutions for reservoir sediment management, position him as a leader in his field. His research not only addresses theoretical challenges but also provides practical solutions to pressing environmental problems, such as flood control, sediment management, and ecological conservation.Given his track record of high-quality publications, patents, and collaborative research, as well as his engagement with both academia and industry, Dr. Lee’s work has substantial potential for wider application. If he continues to build on these strengths—especially by increasing international collaborations and policy engagement—he will be well-positioned to make even greater contributions to his field.Thus, Dr. Fong-Zuo Lee is an excellent candidate for this prestigious award, and his continued work will likely shape the future of environmental engineering and water resource management.