Professor, Associate Dean for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Work

Dr. Ming Hu is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and the College of Engineering, University of Notre Dame, USA. She is also the Associate Dean for Research at the School of Architecture. Her expertise as a Building Scientist and Environmental Engineering Researcher encompasses extensive practical and theoretical experience in decarbonizing the built environment, aiming to mitigate its environmental footprint and human health impacts. Specifically, she investigates the life cycle environmental impacts associated with building technologies and policies, as well as how community and societal priorities can be better incorporated into decision-making processes. Her research methods encompass life cycle assessment, energy modeling, computer vision, and complex relationship modeling (SEM). Three specific research areas are:
· life cycle environmental impacts associated with construction activities
· Embodied carbon associated with building materials
· Health risks associated with housing condition
Hu has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers and conference proceedings. She is the author of three books. “Net Zero Building: Predicted and Unintended Consequences” was published by Routledge in 2019. “Smart Technologies and Design for Healthy Built Environments. by Springer in 2020, and “Green Building Costs: The Affordability of Sustainable Design published by Routledge in 2023.
Green Building Costs: The Affordability of Sustainable Design. Routledge, August 2023.
Smart Technologies and Design for Healthy Built Environments. Springer, September 2020.
Net Zero Building: Predicted and Unintended Consequences. Routledge. April 2019.
Upcoming book, "Green Building Costs:The Affordability of Sustainable Design"
Journal paper: Strategies and Techniques of Life Cycle–Embodied Carbon Reduction from the Building and Construction Sector: A Review
Journal paper: "Inequalities in urban greenness and epigenetic aging: Different associations by race and neighborhood socioeconomic status"
New grant/ project with Notre Dame: Housing - Health Equity Nexus: Better Housing as Health Risk Mediator (HOUSE4HEALTH)
ABC57
September 09, 2025
Ming Hu is an advisor on the project and is also an Associate Dean at Notre Dame’s School of Architecture. She says urban heat islands are becoming more common and intense, which is worrying in multiple ways. "Heat related health issues are a big thing, especially for more vulnerable populations, like elderly population and the younger children," Hu explained.
March 15, 2025
This study models carbon impacts across Chicago's building stock, showing that longer lifespans and renovation strategies can significantly reduce urban CO2 emissions.
February 27, 2025
Utilities typically rank among the top recurring expenses homeowners juggle every month. Running an energy-efficient home can reduce these expenses and put more money back in your pocket.
Inside Indiana Business
January 29, 2025
A grant from the National Science Foundation has enabled University of Notre Dame researchers to employ data and analytics to find energy cost-saving solutions and improve living conditions for low-income Americans living in older, less efficient homes.
September 06, 2024
Ming Hu, the associate dean for research, scholarship, and creative work in Notre Dame‘s School of Architecture, emphasizes the need to address embodied carbon in existing buildings, urging policymakers and industry leaders to take a comprehensive approach to reducing emissions beyond just focusing on the construction of new energy-efficient buildings.
phys.org
September 04, 2024
While many building codes and benchmarks have focused on constructing "greener," more energy-efficient new buildings, it is not enough to seek to reduce emissions in operations, said Ming Hu, the associate dean for research, scholarship and creative work in Notre Dame's School of Architecture.