Wenxi Liao

Research Overview and Impact

Wenxi’s research focuses on green infrastructure, water quality and stormwater management, plant-soil-water interactions, environmental monitoring and remediation, and remote sensing. Her work aims to optimize the monitoring and design of nature-based systems to improve water quality, plant performance, and ecosystem functions. She also investigates the design and application of sustainable, engineered materials for the removal of both traditional and emerging contaminants from water and the environment, while protecting ecosystem health. In addition, Wenxi employs remote sensing and data science approaches (e.g., meta-analysis) to understand, assess, and optimize vegetation, water, and environmental performance and management at multiple spatial scales.

Her research is solution-oriented and addresses emerging, real-world water and environmental challenges through multidisciplinary approaches. The outcomes support the design and optimization of nature-based and engineered systems for improved stormwater treatment, plant performance, ecosystem services, and climate resilience.

Wenxi’s research has made important contributions to green infrastructure and urban environmental management. Her work has direct implications for industrial product development and performance evaluation and provides evidence-based tools to support decision-making by municipalities, urban planners, and environmental practitioners. By integrating empirical experiments, remote sensing, and data science, her research advances the sustainable design and management of water systems and contributes to healthier, more resilient communities.

Academic History

• HBSc, Geography and Forestry, University of Toronto (2019)
• PhD, Forestry and Civil Engineering, University of Toronto (2024)
• NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow, Chemical Engineering, McGill University (2024–2025)

Awards and Honours

• NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society Graduate Fellowship
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship
• School of Cities Graduate Fellowship

Current Research Projects

For the past and current projects, please refer to my lab website.

Graduate Student Information

Our lab currently has opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Please feel free to reach out if you are interested in joining our group. For detailed information, please refer to our lab website.

Wenxi views herself as both a mentor and a collaborator to her students. She is committed to supporting students in developing the technical, analytical, and professional skills needed for their long-term career success. Wenxi holds regular meetings with students to discuss research progress, address challenges, and provide guidance, feedback, and mentorship throughout their training.

Featured Publications

For a full list of Wenxi’s publications, refer to the Google Scholar Profile. 

• Liao, W., Appleby, M., Rosenblat, H., Halim, M. A., Rogers, C. A., Chen, J. M., ... & Thomas, S. C. (2025). Remote sensing for healthy vegetation on green roofs. Nature Cities, 1-10.
• Liao, W., Sidhu, V., Sifton, M. A., Margolis, L., Drake, J. A., & Thomas, S. C. (2024). Biochar and vegetation effects on discharge water quality from organic-substrate green roofs. Science of The Total Environment, 922, 171302.
• Liao, W., Halim, M. A., Kayes, I., Drake, J. A., & Thomas, S. C. (2023). Biochar benefits green infrastructure: global meta-analysis and synthesis. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(41), 15475-15486.
• Macha, F. J., Kalogerakis, G., Quevedo, A. C., Liao, W., Hamilton, B. M., Robinson, S. A., Tufenkji, N. (2026). Urban Runoff Toxicity to Aquatic Species: Physiological and Biomarker Responses with Toxicant Characterization. Environmental Science & Technology.
• Liao, W., Drake, J., & Thomas, S. C. (2022). Biochar granulation, particle size, and vegetation effects on leachate water quality from a green roof substrate. Journal of Environmental Management, 318, 115506.
• Liao, W., Drake, J., & Thomas, S. C. (2022). Biochar granulation enhances plant performance on a green roof substrate. Science of the Total Environment, 813, 152638.