Frederick Cheng

Frederick Cheng is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how natural and built infrastructure influence pollutant cycling and water resource protection through nature-based solutions.

His work examines hydrologic processes and biogeochemical cycles across terrestrial-aquatic interfaces such as wetlands, vadose zones, and hyporheic zones at multiple scales (site, watershed, continental). Key interests include climate change impacts on reactive interfaces, anthropogenic pressures, and sustainable ecosystem management.

Research trends highlight expertise in data synthesis, process-based modeling, geospatial analysis, and machine learning applications to address nutrient retention, contaminant persistence, and ecosystem service optimization. His group integrates interdisciplinary approaches to balance environmental trade-offs.