Professor Bruce Rittmann Receives International Cooperation Award, Two Professors Recognized as Key Contributors to National Award

On June 24, 2024, the National Science and Technology Awards Conference was held in Beijing. Professor Bruce E. Rittmann was awarded the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China.

Professor Bruce E. Rittmann is a renowned international expert in environmental biotechnology, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and a Regents' Professor at Arizona State University. Known for his strong ties with China, Professor Rittmann has collaborated with Professor Xia Siqing for over 20 years, contributing to numerous major engineering projects in China that have achieved significant economic, social, and environmental benefits. Their work has received multiple scientific and technological awards.

Together, they have co-supervised more than ten graduate students and co-authored over 20 high-impact academic papers. Professor Rittmann has also participated in key initiatives, such as the United Nations Environment Programme-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, the National Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse under the "111" Program, Shanghai's Peak Discipline Program, and Tongji University's International Scientist Studio. These efforts have significantly enhanced the overall strength of the environmental discipline, advancing high-level talent cultivation and scientific innovation in China.

In recognition of his contributions, Professor Rittmann received Shanghai’s sole International Science and Technology Cooperation Award in 2020.

Additionally, Academician Xu Zuxin, as a key contributor, collaborated on the project “Key Technologies and Applications for Groundwater Pollution Prevention and Control in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region,” which won the First Prize of the National Technology Invention Award.

Professor Yin Daqiang, also as a key contributor, participated in the project “Creation and Application of a Drinking Water Safety Assurance Technology System,” which received the First Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award.