News

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Catherine French, Member National Academy of Engineering
Awards and Honors, Department News, Structural engineering

Catherine French elected to the National Academy of Engineering

Posted

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering Professor Catherine French elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). This is among the highest professional distinctions awarded to an engineer. She joins Professor Emmanuel Detournay and Professors Emeriti Steve Crouch, Charles Fairhurst, and Theodore Galambos.

Carol Shield, headshot

Carol Shield, American Concrete Institute Honorary Member

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Carol Kittredge Shield, Professor Emerita in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, received one of the highest honors conferred by the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Shield is now an ACI Honorary Member.

photo of mussels on a sandy bottom, by Dr Jessica Kozarek, UMN
Department News, Research, Water/Environmental engineering

Moving with the Flow: Nature-driven approach to control the spread of zebra mussels

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Minnesotans who love to go fishing or boating and those who follow the news have likely heard a lot about invasive zebra mussels. Zebra mussels are infesting Minnesota’s beloved lakes. Miki Hondzo, Jessica Kozarek, and William Herb are researching a new old tool to protect our beloved lakes and streams from the spread of zebra mussels.

Three people pose with GPS pole technology in Guatemala
Alumni, Department News

Engineers Without Borders Supported by Professional Partners

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Thanks to our High-Tech Data Collection Partners! EWB-UMN by Westwood Professional Services, Professional Engineering Services, and Frontier Precision stepped up to support Engineers Without Borders in Guatemala. Westwood Professional Services provided the drone and a skilled drone pilot. U of M instructor Ann Johnson (also with Professional Engineering Services) will assist the student team by importing the drone mapping into AutoCAD/Civil 3D for analysis and future design. Frontier Precision supplied the team GPS surveying equipment at a deeply discounted cost and supported the team with dedicated technical assistance. EWB-UMN also works with Long Way Home, a non-governmental organization based in Guatemala that helps EWB-UMN with logistics support, local coordination, and translation services.

Professor Raymond Hozalski in lab
Department News, Research

CEGE research is surging ahead

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Six recent projects characterize the reach and import of CEGE faculty research. From circularity ($3 mil) to water distribution systems ($2.1 mil), from mineralized carbon storage ($10.95 mil) to PFAS ($560K), from snowfall ($2.9 mil) to Zebra mussels ($500K), CEGE is facing grand challenges and ensuring human health and welfare.

Sandra Larson, EnvE 2023, standing in the Fairhurst Rotunda in the Civil Engineering Building
Department News, Student Activities, Water/Environmental engineering

A Call for Collaboration

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Sandra Larson, BEnvE 2023, addressed her fellow graduates on graduation day. Her message highlighted some of the big challenges they will face and the need for collaboration in addressing these challenging issues. CEGE magazine caught up with her before she left campus to begin her new life as a civil/environmental engineer with Carlson McCain. We were able to learn more about her convictions regarding challenging engineering problems and the role of collaboration.

Brian Balquist, BizPitch winner, 2023
Department News, Student Activities

Environmental engineering major wins Bizpitch

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The Biz Pitch Contest offers University of Minnesota undergraduate students an opportunity to present their new business ideas to a panel of entrepreneurs and investors. Brian Balquist, an Environmental Engineering major in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, proposed a company that applies existing wastewater surveillance technology to new areas. His business idea and his pitch led to him taking home two prizes. Balquist won for the Most Innovative idea and the Overall Grand Prize, which came with a check for $2,000.

Cover of the Fall 2023 issue of CEGE magazine
Department News

CEGE magazine, Fall 2023

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Read a roundup of news from the summer and fall of 2023 in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering

Erin Surdo in environmental student teaching lab
Department News

Inspired and Innovative Teaching in CEGE

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Training inspired and innovative engineers requires inspired and innovative teaching. Here we share with you some of our teachers and some new classes and programs that are inspiring CEGE students.

frozen scene, Yellowstone National Park
Department News, Research, Water/Environmental engineering

Study explores impacts of a warming climate on global snowfall patterns

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NASA awarded Ardeshir Ebtehaj $2.9 million to provide the longest and the most accurate satellite record of global snowfall. Ebtehaj is an associate professor and researcher in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering (CEGE) at the University of Minnesota.