Honored for her research creating a functional, sustainable future for textiles and apparel, Hang Liu, assistant professor in the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, received early career recognition this fall from the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA).
ITAA is the professional association of scholars, educators, and students in the textile, apparel, and merchandising disciplines in higher education. Liu is the recipient of the 2020 Rising Star award, the association’s top award for faculty of her rank. She will be recognized as part of the association’s virtual annual conference, Nov. 18-20, 2020.
“This is a great honor, and I very much appreciate the recognition from ITAA of my work in research, teaching, and service,” Liu said. “This is the very first Rising Star award given to an assistant professor in textile science, which makes it even more special to me.
“Textiles are an essential part of our daily life,” she added. “Advancement in textile science leads to material and manufacturing innovations that provide us with ‘smarter’ products and a cleaner environment.”
At WSU, Liu researches and teaches the science of next-generation fibers and textiles, textile waste recycling, and wearable technology. She is currently developing conductive fibers for wearable smart clothing; studying how to recycle cotton waste into valuable fibers; and exploring uses for bio-based polymers. Her research helps advance the textile and apparel industry’s sustainability and functionality goals. Liu’s research has been financially supported by the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Walmart Foundation, Murdock Charitable Trust, and other companies, and she has received more than $1.3 million in grant funding since 2015. Liu has also published 30 peer-reviewed articles in high impact journals.
Dr. Liu has been a strong contributor to the AMDT since joining in 2015 as a tenure-track assistant professor, said department chair and AMDT professor Ting Chi.
“Her state-of-the-art research in textile sustainability and functionality addresses some most critical issues facing today’s industry,” he said. “Her multidisciplinary research works happens in tandem with industry stakeholders, and her innovative teaching inspires students’ interest in learning textile sciences, and engages them in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”
Liu holds a doctorate in textile sciences from the University of Georgia, and a master’s degree in textile engineering from Donghua University in Shanghai, China.
- Learn more about Liu’s research here: http://amdt.wsu.edu/people/faculty-staff-directory/hang-liu-profile/