Dr. Eric M.V. Hoek is a professor in UCLA's Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Institute of the Environment & Sustainability and the California NanoSystems Institute. He is also the Director of the UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge. His research explores the union of membrane technologies, nanomaterials and electrochemistry for water, energy and environmental applications. He has over 200 technical publications including over 70 patents filed globally. He has also co-founded several technology startups and has advised a wide array of state, federal and international government agencies, local water utilities, technology companies, investment funds, law firms and research funding agencies.