Civil & Environmental Engineering Student Spotlight: Aspen Dalby

Environmental Sustainability and Expressive Creativity

For Aspen Dalby, a love for the delicate balance between people and the environment has been a guiding principle. Growing up in Sandy, Utah, she found harmony in nature—whether hiking in the mountains or exploring Utah’s diverse landscapes. Her appreciation for the ecological rhythm between environment and society shaped not only her approach to engineering but also her passion for dance.

At the U, Aspen launched herself into biology and public health—along with Modern Dance classes—to embrace her environmental and expressive ambitions. In a public health class, a revelation occurred during a brief lecture on civil engineering: She realized that civil engineers do more than build infrastructure—they design sustainable solutions that bridge the gap between communities and their environments.

“The fact that engineers get to create lasting, meaningful change really left an impression on me,” said Dalby. “I immediately saw how a career in civil engineering could check off both of my boxes—having a positive impact on my community while taking steps to protect the environment.”

With passions newly awakened, she officially set course for civil engineering degree.

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.

From Mountains to Microplastics:

Back in Utah, Aspen recently took her environmental research to the Capitol. In February, she shared her findings on microplastics in wastewater treatment with legislators and industry leaders at the 25^th annual Research on Capitol Hill symposium. Her research highlighted how microplastics accumulate in biosolids—a byproduct of wastewater treatment used as fertilizer—and their potential impact on soil health. Standing before policymakers and advocating for environmental awareness was a moment that affirmed her dedication to making a difference through engineering.

Looking to the future, Aspen is excited about opportunities in open-channel water work, stream restoration, and fish passage improvement. She envisions a career focused on environmental site remediation and sustainable infrastructure projects that protect and restore natural ecosystems.

Aspen Dalby exemplifies what it means to be a civil and environmental engineer—merging science, sustainability, and creativity to make a lasting impact. Whether in the lab, on a job site, or through advocacy, she is committed to making the world a better place—one step at a time.

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