Two faculty members from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have been recognised in the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2025 Honours Programme, announced on 24 September 2025.
AGU, the world’s largest Earth and space science association, celebrates individuals whose research and outreach have transformed understanding of the planet, improved communities, and contributed to solutions for a sustainable future. Honourees will be formally recognised at AGU25, which will convene in New Orleans, Louisiana from 15-19 December 2025.
AGU Fellow
Professor Rajasekhar Balasubramanian, Keppel Professor in Sustainability Solutions in Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been elected a Fellow of AGU, one of the Union’s highest honours. Fewer than 0.1% of members are elected Fellows each year.
The Fellows programme recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space science through a breakthrough, discovery, or innovation in their field. Prof Bala, as he is widely known, was recognised for his distinguished and sustained contributions to the field of air quality.
Since joining NUS in 1996, he has established and led an interdisciplinary research programme on air quality, addressing issues ranging from environmental sustainability to climate change mitigation and public health. His publications are noted for their originality, breadth, and policy relevance, and he is regarded as a thought leader in atmospheric chemistry.
“I am truly honoured and delighted to learn that I have been elected as a Fellow of AGU,” he said. “Throughout my career I have been fortunate to have had excellent students, postdocs, collaborators, and colleagues whom I owe a lot to. I am indeed grateful to NUS for providing a scholarly environment to pursue research of my interest across diverse disciplines.”
Natural Hazards Early Career Award
Assistant Professor He Xiaogang received the Natural Hazards Early Career Award, which is given annually to an early-career scientist within 10 years of completing their PhD. The award recognises significant contributions to natural hazards science.
Asst Prof He’s research addresses one of humanity's most critical challenges under climate change: understanding and managing the escalating risks from hazards such as droughts and floods, as well as their cascading impacts on global water, food, and energy security.
“This AGU award represents recognition not just of my individual research, but of Civil and Environmental Engineering's growing leadership in addressing global and regional challenges of extreme weather events,” he said.
The recognition of both Prof Bala and Asst Prof He highlights the College's growing leadership in advancing knowledge and innovation at the intersection of science, engineering, and sustainability, and underscores the global impact of its faculty on some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
