Dr. Xiaoguang Meng

Xiaoguang Meng (孟晓光) was a devoted husband, father, scientist, and educator, whose work in environmental engineering helped improve water quality and public health around the world.

Xiaoguang was born July 11, 1955 in Shandong, China to Xianxin Meng (孟宪新) and Fuyun Wang (王福云), with 4 siblings. He began his professional life in a very different setting. From 1972 to 1978, he worked at the Xindian Power Plant in Shandong, China, where he was involved in boiler operations. During those years he became familiar with the practical challenges of water chemistry, including the problem of scale formation in boilers. He often reflected on these early experiences later in life, noting that they first sparked his lasting interest in water chemistry and treatment.

He later pursued higher education in marine chemistry at Shandong College of Oceanography, now known as Ocean University of China (中国海洋大学). During his time there, he met his wife, Wei Wang (汪威), beginning a lifelong partnership that would accompany him through his academic journey and family life. Together, they had a daughter, Shuang Meng (孟爽).

In 1987, he came to the United States to pursue doctoral studies in Environmental Engineering at Syracuse University. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1993, he moved to New Jersey and joined Stevens Institute of Technology, where he would spend the rest of his academic career. Over the years he served as Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering, mentoring many students, including 14 doctoral students, and contributing significantly to research and education in environmental engineering.

Xiaoguang’s research focused on environmental chemistry and water treatment technologies, particularly heavy metals (arsenic, lead, etc.) removal from drinking water via adsorbents. Over the course of his career, he published more than 140 scientific papers in leading journals such as Environmental Science & Technology and Water Research, and his work has been widely cited by researchers around the world.

Among his most significant contributions were innovative technologies for removing arsenic from contaminated water. His research led to the development of titanium dioxide–based adsorbent materials and several patented water treatment technologies that have been implemented globally. His household arsenic removal filter was successfully used in Bangladesh, helping provide safer drinking water to families affected by arsenic contamination. He also developed an arsenic speciation cartridge that has been widely used by researchers and laboratories worldwide.

Xiaoguang’s contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Intel Environmental Award, the Davis Memorial Award for Research at Stevens Institute of Technology, the American Water Works Association Research Award, the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award, and the Inventor of the Year Award from the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame.

Through his research, teaching, and collaborations across the world, Xiaoguang left a lasting legacy in environmental engineering and in the lives of many students, colleagues, and friends who had the privilege to know him.

Xiaoguang's day of remembrance on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 E. Main St., Bridgewater, NJ 08807 is as follows:

9:00 AM: Guest arrival & Sign

9:30 AM: Viewing

10:15 AM: Remarks from Family and Friends

11:15 AM: Final Farwell and Dismissal

Cremation will be held privately

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