Saleh’s research has three thrust areas that he calls the 3Es; i.e., Evaluate, Engage, and Engineer. Over the past decade he has focused on safe development of nano-enabled treatment technologies, that are socially embedded. Saleh has engaged with low-income communities in Texas (with the colonias along the U.S.-Mexico border) and elsewhere in the U.S. (e.g., Navajos in AZ and NM and Alaskan Natives) and Mexico (e.g., indigenous Zapotecs and Mixtecs). Over the past decade, he has put forward an extraordinary effort to learn about their culture, as well as their way of life, to identify local water issues and treatment technology needs. He is currently leading multiple inter-disciplinary teams of economists, anthropologists, political scientists, sociologists, and engineers to address this enormous water challenge in economically marginalized communities. Saleh’s belief is that his 3Es approach, i.e., Evaluate—mechanistic studies on fate of emerging contaminants like nanomaterials, illicit drugs, plastic waste, etc., Engage—community engaged research, and Engineer—community-embedded effective treatment solutions, will allow him to contribute toward solving major water issues for a number of less-fortunate communities in Texas and beyond.