Built Environment and Health Research

The Built Environment and Health (BEH) Research Group at UTA investigates problems and solutions related to:

  • Indoor air quality (IAQ)
  • Health outcome assessments
  • Indoor exposure epidemiology
  • Low-cost sensing technologies
  • Building science measurements and methods
  • Ventilation strategies
  • Air cleaning techniques
  • Building performance simulation
  • Energy efficiency

Current Projects

  1. “Toward a Net-Zero Energy UTA Campus: Whole-Building Energy Modeling and Comprehensive Analysis of Economic, Energy, and Environmental Benefits of Net-Zero Building Retrofit Strategies”
    • Funded by the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, The University of Texas at Arlington (2024 – 2025)
    • Dr. Insung Kang (PI)
  2. “An experiment to measure VOCs and PM emission rates and removal efficiencies inside stationary vehicles under the extreme heat and sunlight conditions: A pilot study”
    • Funded by the STARs (Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention) program, The University of Texas System (2024 – 2026)
    • Dr. Insung Kang (PI)
  3. “Air filtration to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes in a high-risk urban population of U.S. military veterans”
    • Supplementary Funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (2024 – 2026)
    • Original Funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (2020 – 2023)
    • Dr. Brent Stephens (PI), Dr. Insung Kang (Co-PI)

Past Projects

  1. “Cost-effective approaches to upgrading residential mechanical ventilation systems to control indoor pollutants of both indoor and outdoor origin and improve asthma-related health outcomes”
    • Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (2016 – 2019)
    • Dr. Brent Stephens (PI), Dr. Insung Kang (Lead Research Assistant)