National Geographic has launched its inaugural 33 initiative, spotlighting 33 extraordinary individuals who are making strides toward solving the world’s most urgent challenges. This esteemed list includes a diverse group of trailblazers—climate activists, scientists, artists, and athletes—recognized not only for their innovative ideas but also for their active efforts to create a better future for our planet.
Among these honorees is Dr. Shu Yang, celebrated for her pioneering work in ocean conservation. Dr. Yang’s groundbreaking contributions in designing artificial reefs are helping to restore marine ecosystems, rebuild habitats damaged by coral degradation, and support biodiversity in areas facing environmental stress. Innovation & Tech Today spoke with Dr. Yang about this recognition and to learn about her work.
Innovation & Tech Today: What does it mean to you to be chosen as one of National Geographic’s 33, especially for your work with reef structures and ocean conservation?
Dr. Shu Yang: I’m super, super excited because we love National Geographic and all of their videos. I just can’t wait to be recognized as one of National Geographic’s 33.
I&T Today: Can you explain how your artificial reefs work and how they help the ocean?
Yang: This is actually a brand new project we just started about two years ago, in collaboration with architects. We had several other collaborations with architects, but this one started when the Department of Energy (DOE) proposed a solicitation for carbon absorption in buildings. My architectural collaborator and I proposed the idea of printing carbon-absorbing concrete, which led to the development of this concrete printing project.
As professors, we’re constantly thinking about what else we can do. We put together a proposal to focus on the reef. As you know, extreme weather and abnormal ocean tides have been causing damage to biodiversity on reefs. When tides are high, they destroy everything.
There are two main goals with our project:
- Harvesting energy: Can we use materials on the reef to generate electricity from high waves?
- Mitigating damage: Can we calm the waves, making them smaller so that they don’t destroy homes on the reef or the beach?
We’re designing different types of reef structures, figuring out the right materials, and consulting with people from organizations like the Nature Conservancy to determine what will help corals and oysters grow. Corals and oysters need something hard to attach to, and we’re figuring out how to create materials that not only encourage attachment but also withstand extreme weather conditions and high waves.
One of my PhD students got a grant from Florida to help develop these reef structures, and now I have a postdoc working on the 3D printing aspect. All these efforts are driven by a real need in society, and we’re excited to make a real impact.
I&T Today: You mentioned 3D printing, which is awesome. Can you explain more about how that technology works for creating artificial reefs?
Yang: 3D printing itself isn’t new; it’s been around for many years. However, 3D printing with concrete is still a relatively new concept. Most 3D printing involves extruding polymers, like when we make cups or other objects. But with concrete, it’s trickier because concrete requires water to mix with powder and form a paste, which is cast into a scaffold. Typically, the scaffold is removed after, which wastes material.
In 3D printing concrete, we use robotic arms to extrude the material in such a way that it retains its shape. This reduces the need for scaffolding and minimizes material waste. We aim for honeycomb structures, which are strong but use up to 30% less material. The goal is to use less material and reduce waste, while also developing concrete that can absorb CO2.
We’ve already successfully 3D printed CO2-absorbing concrete, and we’re excited to see where we can take this technology next.
I&T Today: What’s one thing you want people to understand better about your work after this recognition?
Yang: A great question. As a material scientist, I often feel the need to prioritize my own discipline. However, material science is highly interdisciplinary. People from chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering can all come together to create new materials. What I want to promote is the importance of material science, which is not just about the materials themselves but also about bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to drive innovation.
I&T Today: What’s next for your research on artificial reefs? Is there any new technology you’re excited about?
Yang: There are many different directions we’re exploring with the reefs. One is wave mitigation, and another is energy harvesting. Reefs play an important role in both the economy and the ecosystem. We’re also looking at how to address issues like hurricanes, flooding, and coral bleaching, especially in places like New York City or Florida.
I’m particularly interested in combining hard materials with soft biological systems to create a more robust ecosystem. For example, oysters play a key role in cleaning the ocean. In fact, pristine oyster reefs are nearly nonexistent in the U.S. today, except in places like Hawaii and Australia.
The future of reef conservation involves understanding the ecosystem, collaborating with biologists, and developing new technologies. I’m especially excited to work with robotics experts who can send sensors or robots into the water to detect coral, which will help us develop better reef systems.
We’re also exploring the idea of growing oysters vertically, which uses less space and might be more natural for their growth.
I&T Today: What inspired you to work on artificial reefs, and how did that shape your work?
Yang: Our work on artificial reefs began with mechanical engineers, especially those who worked with microfluidics. We collaborated with engineers who could create systems to mimic the ocean and test the structures we designed. We also worked with biologists to understand how to seed the reefs with coral larvae or oysters.
I believe material scientists play a central role in bringing people together. We connect with engineers, biologists, architects, and others to understand their needs and collaborate toward a solution. Our work is truly interdisciplinary—there’s no single discipline that can solve these problems on its own.
I&T Today: What advice would you give to young scientists or innovators who want to solve environmental problems?
Yang: Start small. You won’t solve everything at once, but you can make a meaningful difference by taking small steps. It’s important to stay motivated and excited about your work. Be passionate and keep going.
Also, keep your eyes wide open. Many ideas come from synthesizing your experiences and thoughts over time. It’s not about having a sudden “brilliant idea”; it’s about learning, observing, and connecting the dots.
Exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, dedicated magazine issue, social video series, and more available now at NetGeo.com/NG33.
