Liang Dong, Ph.D.

Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and Professor

317 Biological Science Building
120 Cedar Street
Athens, GA 30602
United States

Dr. Liang Dong’s research focuses on the development of novel sensor technologies for real-time monitoring of soil conditions, plant health, and environmental factors, with the goal of addressing challenges in the water-energy-food-health nexus. His work enhances agricultural management practices and supports crop breeding efforts by facilitating the development of stress-resilient cultivars through data-driven insights. In addition to plant-focused applications, Dr. Dong is also interested in advancing sensor systems to promote animal health and welfare. His research has attracted global media attention and earned multiple best paper awards and finalist recognitions at leading conferences and in journals. He is a past recipient of the NSF CAREER Award.

Before joining UGA, Dr. Dong served from 2007-2025 as the Vikram Dalal Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University, where he also directed the Microelectronics Research Center and was a Faculty Scholar of the Plant Sciences Institute. He earned his Ph.D. in Electronic Science and Technology from Tsinghua University in 2004 and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2004-2007.

Dr. Dong currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Sensors and Actuators A: Physical and Associate Editor of IEEE Transaction on AgriFood Electronics. He holds 17 U.S. patents, four of which have been licensed to industry. He co-founded and served as CTO of EnGeniousAg, a startup that commercialized nitrogen sensor technology developed in his lab and was acquired by CropX in 2024.

Education

Ph.D., Electronic Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, 2004

Professional Appointments

Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Precision Agriculture, University of Georgia, 2025 – present
Associate Director, Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture, University of Georgia, 2025 – present
Professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Georgia, 2025 – present
Professor, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, 2025 – present
Director, Microelectronics Research Center, Iowa State University, 2021 – 2025
Vikram Dalal Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, 2021 – 2025
Associate Director, Microelectronics Research Center, Iowa State University, 2017 – 2021
Northrop Grumman Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2020 – 2021
Faculty Scholar, Plant Sciences Institute, Iowa State University, 2015 – 2025
Harpole-Pentair Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, 2010 – 2013
Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, 2007 – 2025
Courtesy Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, 2007 – 2025
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2004 – 2007