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

  • Indoor air quality (IAQ) measurements and modeling
  • Health outcome assessments
  • Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
  • Air filtration/cleaning techniques
  • Indoor exposure epidemiology
  • Low-cost sensing technologies
  • Building performance simulation

Current Projects

  1. “Energy Recovery Ventilation and Air Cleaner Interventions to Improve Indoor Air Quality, Mold Control, and Asthma-Related Health Outcomes Among Inner-City Children and Adults in Low-Income Households”
    • Funding Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
    • Study Period: 2025 – 2027
    • Dr. Insung Kang (PI)
  2. “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”
    • Funding Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
    • Study Period: 2020 – 2025
    • Dr. Brent Stephens (PI), Dr. Insung Kang (Co-PI)
  3. “A pilot study to characterize indoor VOCs emissions and mitigation strategies in vehicles under the extreme heat conditions”
    • Funding Source: The University of Texas System, STARs (Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention) Program
    • Study Period: 2024 – 2025
    • Dr. Insung Kang (PI)
  4. “Performance testing of stand-alone air filtration systems: do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners and vehicle air purifiers”
    • Funding Source: The University of Texas System, STARs (Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention) Program
    • Study Period: 2025 – 2026
    • Dr. Insung Kang (PI)
  5. “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”
    • Funding Source: UTA Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program
    • Study Period: 2024 – 2025
    • Dr. Insung Kang (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)