Few names are as synonymous with engineering and leadership excellence in Utah as Ron Reaveley. On April 22, 2025, the University of Utah’s Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and the Structural Engineers Association of Utah (SEAU) proudly co-hosted the inaugural event of our Distinguished Structural Engineering Lecture Series. This special evening featured Ron Reaveley, Founder of Reaveley Engineers, one of Utah’s most influential structural engineering firms.

In his talk, "A 60 Year Perspective on Advancements in Earthquake Design in Utah," Ron shared insights from a career defined by engineering intuition, business acumen, and industry leadership. With decades of experience and a reputation for recognizing quality design at a glance, Ron offered a powerful reflection on how validation processes can drive innovation forward in structural and geotechnical engineering.

Ron founded Reaveley Engineers at the age of 30, bringing nearly eight years of experience and a strong vision for what engineering practice could be in Utah. His brother, Larry Reaveley, a long-time faculty member and former Chair of the Civil & Environmental Engineering (CvEEN) department at the University of Utah, also played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s legacy. Larry was known for identifying exceptional talent and creating a “pipeline” of skilled engineers from the U to Reaveley Engineers—strengthening ties between academia and practice.

The event drew a strong turnout of professionals, faculty, and students, reflecting the deep respect the structural engineering community has for Ron’s contributions and the Reaveley legacy.

It was an honor to host Ron Reaveley for this first installment of a new series focused on bridging academia and industry.

Hung-Po Cheng didn’t just come to the University of Utah to earn an engineering Ph.D.—he came to create a real-world impact by making the roads we travel every day just a little safer. With a passion for data-driven safety solutions and a vision for smarter cities, Hung-Po is using artificial intelligence to improve traffic safety.

“I chose the University of Utah for its outstanding transportation engineering program and its emphasis on cutting-edge AI research,” he says. “It’s exciting to work on projects that bring together real-world transportation challenges and innovative technology.”

Under the mentorship of Associate Professor Xiaoyue Cathy Liu, Hung-Po is leading research that uses knowledge graphs and large language models (LLMs) to predict high-risk traffic accident hotspots. His goal? To develop tools that help cities prevent crashes before they happen—saving lives through smarter planning and decision-making.

Hung-Po’s work recently earned him a $2,000 Student Mini-Project Award from the Center for Smart Transportation (CST). This award supports student-led research and publications, empowering scholars like Hung-Po to take charge of their projects and publish as first authors. The funding will help advance a publication titled "Enhancing Traffic Safety Analysis through Knowledge Graphs and LLM Integration."

This project aligns with CST’s Focus Area 4: Smart Cities, Big Data & Innovative Technologies to Improve Transportation System Efficiency, and will be submitted to the Journal of Transport Geography.

Hung-Po’s research interests include:

• AI-driven frameworks to predict and mitigate high-risk traffic accident hotspots
• Multimodal AI pipelines using vision-language models (VLMs) for deeper transportation safety insights

With the CST award and the support of the University of Utah, Hung-Po is setting a new standard for how artificial intelligence can be applied in transportation engineering—making the roads we travel every day just a little safer.

Joe Davies, center, at the 2025 NCAA Championships hosted by Dartmouth College.

Dr. Pomeroy with the ASCE Student Chapter in Phoenix, AZ.

We’re excited to announce that Dr. Vince Wang will be returning to the University of Utah as an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering starting August 2025. With an impressive track record spanning both academia and nuclear industry, Dr. Wang brings invaluable expertise to our growing program.

Dr. Wang previously worked at Radiant, a cutting-edge microreactor company in the nuclear startup space, where he applied his deep knowledge of particle transport simulation to the Kaleidos microreactor design and innovation. Before that, he was part of our own research staff at the University of Utah and now returns to support the continued expansion of the UNEP program, University of Utah TRIGA Reactor (UUTR) research initiatives, and nuclear engineering education across Utah. His return strengthens our commitment to expand our nuclear science and engineering research, education, and industry applications.

Now Recruiting Graduate Students!
Dr. Wang is actively looking for passionate and talented graduate students to join his research group. His work spans a range of high-impact areas, including:

• Advanced reactor core analysis
• TRIGA reactor neutron radiography system
• Accelerator-driven systems (ADS)
• Particle transport simulation methods
• Radiation shielding design and optimization
• Reactor depletion and decay analysis

This is a unique opportunity to work at the frontier of nuclear innovation and research under a mentor with both deep technical knowledge and real-world industry insight.

📩  Interested students should submit the following to Dr. Wang at vince.wang@utah.edu:

1. CV or Resume
2. Short bio outlining education and research interests
3. Academic transcript
4. Sample publication (if available)

Whether you’re passionate about advanced reactors, shielding, simulation, or experimental systems, this is your chance to be part of something impactful.

Welcome back to the U, Dr. Wang! Let’s shape the future of nuclear power together!

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)