Professor Spang is interested in researching the interconnections between food-energy-water systems with a specific emphasis on identifying opportunities to improve the efficiency in the delivery and use of these critical resources. His current work at UC Davis involves estimating and valuing the electricity and greenhouse gas savings linked to water conservation programs, as well as the water and energy savings achieved by reducing food losses and waste. He is also pursuing research on community-scale energy production from food waste with a focus on decentralized anaerobic digestion systems.