On March 21, 2025, CvEEN had the honor of welcoming Dr. Yafeng Yin, Professor and Department Chair at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, as part of our Distinguished Seminar Series. His talk, "Seventy Years of Travel Forecasting: Charting the Next Frontier with AI," explored the evolution of travel forecasting and the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping future transportation models.

Dr. Yin was introduced by Dr. Cathy Liu, CvEEN Associate Professor, who highlighted her long-standing professional connection with him. Having first met Dr. Yin during her time as a Ph.D. student at the University of Washington, she recalled his insightful contributions to her doctoral research, particularly in the area of congestion pricing. Over the years, she has frequently engaged with him at conferences and benefited from his deep knowledge of transportation systems.

"Dr. Yin has been an incredibly insightful and supportive presence in the field," Liu said.

Dr. Yin’s talk highlighted multi-scale modeling and demonstrated two AI-driven applications transforming transportation analysis:

• End-to-end learning for integrated network equilibrium models
• Large language models for generative agents in activity-based microsimulation

After the seminar, a lively Q&A session evolved into continued discussions well into the evening as CvEEN faculty, staff, and graduate students gathered for an informal social event. The lively exchange of ideas throughout Yin's visit underscored the department’s commitment to fostering strong connections with leading experts and advancing the future of civil and environmental engineering.

Connections like those between Dr. Yin and Dr. Liu exemplify the strong professional networks that bring top-tier knowledge and innovation to the University of Utah. Stay tuned for more inspiring discussions in our Distinguished Seminar Series!

Cametrius Warren leans over a lab bench, carefully handling biological samples as part of her research at the University of Utah. A first-year Ph.D. student, Warren is not only dedicated to advancing nuclear medicine but also to changing the way the world perceives radiation.

Originally from Northwest Louisiana, Warren’s journey into nuclear science began at Oregon State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Radiation Health Physics. While working in radiation treatment, she became fascinated by the power of targeted isotope therapy, particularly in treating breast cancer. What struck her most was the stark contrast between public perception and reality—how the word “radiation” carries a deep-seated stigma, despite its lifesaving applications.

"I hope that, through my work, people will begin to recognize not only the healing potential of radiation but also its role in clean energy and cutting-edge medical research," said Warren.

During her time at OSU, Warren worked closely with a principal investigator who was familiar with Tara Mastren’s groundbreaking work in radiotherapy at the University of Utah. Recognizing a shared passion for pioneering new treatments for diseases once thought incurable, her mentor encouraged her to apply to the University of Utah. Now, under Assistant Professor Dr. Mastren’s guidance in the Utah Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP), Warren is focusing on targeted alpha therapy (TAT), a promising radiation

Cametrius Warren

treatment with the potential to precisely target and treat conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Her research project, “Targeted Alpha Therapy for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease,” recently earned her a prestigious grant from the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). SNMMI’s student research grants are designed to build the future workforce in nuclear medicine, a field rapidly expanding with new diagnostics, radiopharmaceutical therapies, and innovative imaging technologies.

Alzheimer’s disease affects over six million Americans, a number expected to double by 2060. Current treatments only slow the disease’s progression or provide palliative care, but there is no known cure. Recent studies suggest that low-dose whole-brain radiation therapy may enhance cognitive function and reduce Alzheimer’s-related plaque buildup. However, traditional whole-brain irradiation affects both healthy and diseased tissue alike. Warren’s research aims to overcome this limitation by investigating TAT as a more precise and effective alternative.

Her project utilizes an astatinated version of Vizamyl™ ([²¹¹At]3’-At-PIB-OH), a radiolabeled compound that has demonstrated stability for over 24 hours. Key aspects of her study include:

• Analyzing the specificity of the compound for amyloid beta.
• Investigating the compound’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and it’s in vivo stability through in vivo biodistribution studies.
• Evaluating the compound’s toxicity to determine the maximum tolerable radioactive dose.

Beyond the lab, Warren is passionate about reshaping the narrative around nuclear medicine. Her journey—from a budding scientist in Oregon to a leading researcher at the University of Utah—exemplifies how curiosity and determination can drive innovation in the fight against some of the world’s most challenging diseases.

Three members of the University of Utah’s Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Student Chapter recently attended and presented at the 2025 ITE Utah Section Annual Meeting on March 18. Their contributions showcased the innovative research and leadership emerging from the university’s transportation engineering community.

Fengze Yang, ITE Student Chapter President, was honored with the 2025 ITE Utah Section Student Scholarship in recognition of his outstanding leadership and academic achievements. His efforts in supporting student engagement, industry collaboration, and organizing events were highlighted, along with his research contributions. Fengze’s work focuses on using large language models (LLMs) for urban mobility issues, with publications and presentations at major conferences such as the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting and Winter Conference on Applications of Computer Vision (WACV). He is currently a Ph.D. student under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Dr. Dylan Liu.

Additionally, Hung-Po Cheng and Shouzheng Pan presented their cutting-edge research during the “Research Minute” session:

• Hung-Po Cheng: “Enhancing Traffic Safety Analysis through Knowledge Graphs and LLM Integration”
• Shouzheng Pan: “Strategic Bi-Objective Optimization of Electric Vehicle Fleet Replacement and Shared Charging for Sustainable Mobility”

The conference provided an excellent opportunity for the students to engage with industry professionals, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends in transportation engineering.

The University of Utah is proud to announce that Arman Malekloo has been named a 2025 Lifesavers Traffic Safety Scholar (TSS). Arman is one of only 29 students across the U.S. selected through a competitive application process for this prestigious program. The honor gave him the opportunity to attend the Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety in Long Beach, California.

Held March 9^th – 11^th, The Lifesavers Conference is the largest gathering of traffic safety professionals in the U.S. and serves as a platform for sharing the latest research, evidence-based strategies, and innovative approaches to addressing pressing traffic safety issues. Now in its 10th year, the Traffic Safety Scholars program provides students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with industry leaders, learn about cutting-edge safety measures, and explore career paths in traffic safety.

Arman is pursuing his Ph.D. under the mentorship of Dr. Cathy Liu, an esteemed faculty member in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on advancing transportation safety and mobility solutions, making this recognition a significant milestone in his academic journey.

Reflecting on his experience at the conference, Arman shared, “This conference was a transformative experience. I engaged with industry leaders, explored cutting-edge safety strategies, and learned about innovative approaches to making our roadways safer. Meeting and collaborating with other passionate scholars reinforced the importance of a shared commitment to traffic safety and the impact we can make together.”

One of the standout sessions for Arman was the "Wargaming Workshop: Deploying AVs, It’s Easy, Right?" This interactive session challenged participants to navigate the complexities of autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment through role-playing, negotiation, and strategic decision-making. “It was a fascinating way to explore the future of urban mobility,” Arman noted.

The University of Utah congratulates Arman Malekloo on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to his continued contributions to the field of transportation safety. His achievements highlight the importance of transportation research in shaping a safer future.

Deep beneath southeastern Utah lies the Cane Creek play, a formation rich in unconventional tight oil. Traditional drilling and fracturing methods have been insufficient in extracting its resources efficiently, plaguing operators with significant challenges for decades.

A study conducted at the University of Utah, recently featured in World Oil Magazine, explores innovative hydraulic fracturing techniques tailored to the unique geological conditions of the Cane Creek play. By leveraging cutting-edge modeling and geomechanical analysis, the study proposes a refined approach to maximize production while improving economic and environmental sustainability.

Authored by Dr. N. Z. Dvory and Dr. B. J. McPherson from Civil & Environmental Engineering (CvEEN), alongside Dr. J. D. McLennan from Chemical Engineering & Energy and Geoscience Institute (EGI), this research breaks down conventional assumptions about natural fractures while building up new strategies for optimizing fracture propagation and stress distribution.

The Cane Creek Oil Play (Red) in the Paradox Basin (Photo: Utah Geological Survey)

From Stages to Streams:

In addition to being able to create a lasting legacy, the tempo of an engineer’s day-to-day also attracted Aspen: getting to work in a lab balances well with also being able to do hands-on fieldwork in the outdoors. She took a liking to this during her time in Dr. Jennifer Weidhaas’s lab as an undergraduate research assistant, focusing on wastewater treatment. Her work involved wastewater sampling to detect antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a project that deepened her appreciation for the intersection of environmental science, public health, and engineering. Through this research, she developed valuable lab skills and was able to manifest her passion by using engineering to address real-world environmental challenges.

Between engineering classes and working in the lab, Aspen continued to pursue her love for dance. Not only did it provide a creative outlet, it also allowed her opportunities to expand her worldview. While pursuing a minor in Modern Dance, she was able to take West African dance classes before her study abroad experience in Ghana, which deepened her cultural understanding ahead of her 2022 journey.

"Learning these dance forms immersed my in the cultural histories and traditions of the people I was about to be among," said Dalby. It was a very intimate way to learn about a people's customs and values."

In Kpong, Ghana, her study abroad program focused on Disease Ecology and Entrepreneurship. Over six weeks, she and her cohort conducted fieldwork, including partnering with the Volta River Authority to collect samples for schistosomiasis testing in the Volta River Region. They also collaborated with the Health2Go initiative, conducting community resource inventory surveys to support self-sufficiency in rural areas. The experience allowed Aspen to integrate her passion for engineering and public health while gaining a global perspective on sustainable development.