(Pictured above: Dean Brown presents Courtney’s Outstanding Staff Award.)

Graduate advisor Courtney Phillips was honored with the PCE Outstanding Staff Award at the college-wide Fall Faculty and Staff Meeting just before the start of classes.

As the Graduate Academic Advisor for all Civil, Environmental, and Nuclear Engineering students at the University, she plays the pivotal role of managing ~130 students while maintaining a deeply personalized approach to each advisee.

Courtney is the go-to source for faculty and students seeking accurate guidance, all the while prioritizing the well-being of those who depend on her.

Her dedication to her graduate students extends beyond academics, encompassing their overall growth and development. Whether advising on course selections, navigating department policies, or offering a compassionate ear during challenging moments, Courtney consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the success of her students. Her impact is unmistakable, as her advisees attest:

“Her personalized advising has significantly shaped my growth as a researcher and scholar.”

“Beyond her official responsibilities, Courtney has consistently supported me, offering guidance on financial matters, personal crises, and personal development.”

“Her guidance not only influences my academic pursuits but also shapes my approach to challenges and professionalism.”

Courtney’s contributions aren’t limited to student support; she played a crucial role in tailoring the new graduate admission system, Slate, to our department’s unique needs. She conducted numerous training sessions for the Graduate Admission Committee and faculty, ensuring a seamless implementation. Her collaboration with the Office of Admissions to pilot Slate has led to improved standardization in the admissions process, fostering positive partnerships between PCE and the Office of Admissions.

Furthermore, Courtney’s impact extends to promoting unity and cooperation among office staff, contributing significantly to the department’s overall success. Though she has many positive characteristics that make her great to work with, perhaps the most apparent would be “selfless.” Courtney’s unwavering commitment to student success, advocacy, and her collaborative spirit make her an invaluable asset to the department.

Dr. Schmucker details collapse sequence of the WTC’s twin towers on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11

Today, September 11^th, 2023 marks the 22-year anniversary of the tragic collapse of the World Trade Center’s twin towers. Dr. Douglas Schmucker, both an esteemed professor and professional in the field of structural engineering, presented a review of the critical collapse sequence in the second-year course CvEEN 2140: Strength of Materials.

Drawing upon the principles of structural mechanics and utilizing the FEMA’s Building Performance Summary, Dr. Schmucker combined his more than 30 years of investigative engineering and teaching to aid students in understanding the “domino” effects that led to the collapses.

“In investigative engineering, we don’t usually have smoking guns,” noted Dr. Schmucker, acknowledging the scarcity of definitive data left in the aftermath of the catastrophic attacks. He emphasized that investigative engineering relies on informed speculation, where a synthesis of available information and sound engineering principles is crucial.

Employing this method, Dr. Schmucker, with the aid of the official Building Performance Summary, depicted the collapse sequence as most plausibly resulting from a combination of:

• impact and debris damage to both structural members and fire retardant on those members,
• partial collapse of floors due to either heat from the building content fires or impact damage,
• and then with failure of the floors buckling of the columns.

Buckling of exterior columns, which can be seen directly in video and photographs, rapidly progressed to “pancaking” of floor after floor as the energy of elevated floors moving downwards could not be absorbed.

The populist view suggests that the steel melted. He explained, based on the available evidence, that the fireballs from the jet fuel while dramatic were not explosive (which would have taken microseconds instead of the 2 seconds observed on tape) and did not cause significant structural damage, that the jet fuel had mostly been consumed within 5 minutes of the initial ignition of the vaporized fuel. Instead, the primary heat-related effects were from simultaneous fires on multiple floors, floors that had experienced a total loss of or compromised fire retardant and suppression systems.

“The effect on the floor system was to cause it to drape much like a hot spaghetti noodle will lose its stiffness,” said Dr. Schmucker.

At some point, either the floor system collapsed or its connection to the exterior columns ruptured.  Either situation meant the loss of a critical role for the floor system: to provide lateral support for the columns.  Without that “sideways” support, the columns were unbraced over two to three stories and immediately experienced a significant decrease in their buckling strength.

As someone who has dedicated numerous years to researching this topic as a structural engineer, Dr. Schmucker admitted the challenge of disentangling the intellectual fascination of the engineering intricacies from the overwhelming tragedy that claimed over 3,000 lives on that fateful day. Nonetheless, he carries the poignant responsibility of annually presenting his analysis of the towers’ collapse as a tribute to the memory of not only those fatalities but also the nearly 58,000 people estimated to be in the World Trade Center Complex that day and the more than 38,000 involved in response to the event either in the immediate or near-term of recovery. In doing so, he aims to underscore the vital role that future engineers will inevitably play in shaping a safer and more resilient future.

MS Environmental Engineering candidate begins graduate studies

Growing up, Kaylee Molan often found herself immersed in discussions about climate change through the constant buzz of news reports.

Kaylee’s innate passion for effecting positive environmental change is complemented by an ardent fascination for science, mathematics, and design, which ultimately led her to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of New Hampshire last May.

Now, as Kaylee Molan embarks on the next chapter of her academic journey, we extend a warm welcome to the University of Utah. Here, as a Global Change & Sustainability Center graduate fellow, Kaylee is poised to pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering.

The GCSC First Year Fellowship that Kaylee holds is instrumental in attracting top students who share research interests around the broad themes of the environment and sustainability. These students, like Kaylee, seek graduate training that extends beyond the scope of a single discipline. While students like Kaylee will receive their degrees from different departments across campus, the GCSC provides invaluable interdisciplinary training experiences. These experiences will undoubtedly help prepare students like Kaylee for broad engagement and collaboration in the professional realm.

Collaborating with Dr. Emily Marron, Kaylee’s research endeavors will predominantly encompass wastewater reuse—a topic of immense significance in today’s world and especially in the state of Utah.

The anticipation of her research here at the U fills Kaylee with an undeniable sense of excitement and purpose:

“I am excited to work on a project that will help protect the environment and public health, as well as contribute to better management of our water resources!”

Kaylee’s mission promises to be a beacon of hope for a sustainable future. Welcome to the University of Utah, Kaylee, where your journey towards creating a better world is just beginning!

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering student Nicholas Becker has been honored with the esteemed Gary M. Sandquist Endowed Fellowship. The accolade marks the continuation of his academic journey as he embarks on his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Utah.

Graduating in May with a BS in Civil Engineering and a minor in Nuclear Engineering, Becker prepares to continue his education in and contributions to the advancement of nuclear science with the support of this fellowship.

Becker’s journey to the world of Nuclear Engineering took a unique trajectory. Hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, he was initially drawn to the University of Utah with the twin ambitions of pursuing a collegiate swimming career and a higher education. Despite having lived in various states across the United States—Texas, Missouri, Michigan, and Hawaii—Becker’s calling resonated from the University of Utah. His decision to answer that call has now positioned him as a rising star in the realm of Nuclear Engineering.

This fall, Becker will continue his research in nuclear medicine—specifically, exploring alternative cancer treatments—under the mentorship of Dr. Tara Mastren.

In the 2023–24 academic year, a total of 14 engineering students have been selected to receive graduate fellowships, exemplifying the U’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation in various engineering disciplines.

Poised to take the next stride in his academic journey, Nicholas Becker reflects, “Since completing my career as a student-athlete, I have developed a strong passion for nuclear science, and I am ecstatic to continue my education at Utah in the Nuclear Engineering Ph.D. program.”

When Vitoria Bini wanted more education in Construction Engineering, she left Brazil to come to the U

Former CvEEN student Vitoria Bini is now a Construction Project Manager at the University of Utah Health. She earned her MS in Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Engineering at the U in 2022.

In her current position, Bini enjoys the opportunities to work with not only engineers, but also architects, construction teams, and providers at the main hospital and clinics throughout the length of entire construction projects.

That collaborative aspect of Construction Engineering and being able to team up with other types of engineers and architects is what originally piqued Bini’s interest in the field.

“Instead of focusing on only one aspect of a project, Construction Engineers have the opportunity to work in teams from start to finish while overseeing budgets and schedules, which gives you a whole understanding of the scope of the work being done,” said Bini

It was while working toward her BS in Civil Engineering at Federal Technological University of Paraná in Brazil that Bini realized how much she enjoyed this and other aspects of Construction Engineering. However, Federal Technological University of Paraná offered very few construction-focused courses, which led Bini to search for graduate degrees that could give her a competitive edge above other aspiring Construction Engineers.

Bini says the U’s graduate program in Civil and Environmental Engineering caught her eye as an MS applicant due to its high teaching quality, the fact that it’s well-ranked among U.S. universities, and that it offered many research areas. Its option to pursue research in Construction Engineering made it the perfect fit.

“The courses I took at the U prepared me with the theoretical knowledge I needed, especially project scheduling, contract administration, and cost estimation, which I do frequently in my current role,” Bini said.

But Bini also contributes her success in the program to her MS advisor, Dr. Abbas Rashidi, saying, “I felt that all the professors at the U cared about their students and wanted to prepare them to succeed.”

Upon reflecting on her time at the U and her current position as a Construction Project Manager, Bini concluded, “I feel that the program was a game changer in my life, and thanks to it I feel confident in my position today.”

Fun Fact:

Did you know that in September 2022, our Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering became the first ABET-accredited construction program in Utah?

National Science Foundation grant awarded to CvEEN professor’s latest project

Dr. Ramesh Goel received a National Science Foundation grant for more than $500,000 in June for his work toward energy efficient waste water treatment. The project is titled GOALI: Understanding Granulation Using Microbial Resource Management for The Broader Application of Granular Technology.

The project investigates the development and implementation of a relatively new municipal wastewater treatment for energy efficient treatment. The technology is called Granular Activated Sludge Process. There is currently not a single full-scale treatment plant in the United States which uses this technology.

Granular sludge technology is energy efficient and requires much smaller footprints than the conventional treatment options. The project studies the process of granulation and granule stability in sequencing batch and flow through reactors under an eco-genomics framework.

In collaboration with an industrial partner, DC Water, this academia-industry collaboration will generate a new body of knowledge related to full-scale applications of granular technology based on fundamental research and Dr. Goel’s track record in activated sludge systems, nutrient management, granular technology and omics.

Dr. Goel plans to recruit and mentor undergraduate students to work on this GOALI project and, in addition, integrate the research findings into existing undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Haydee De Clippeleir, a Program Manager at DC Water, is the co-Principal Investigator while Dr. Goel is the Principal Investigator. The data generated from their work will provide powerful tools to the U.S. wastewater community.

Civil and Environmental Engineering professor Dr. Cathy Liu (co-PI), partnering with Dr. Jeff Phillips (PI), at Kahlert School of Computing, was awarded a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation on June 14, 2023, for their project titled Integrating and Learning on Spatial Data via Multi-Agent Simulation.

The project builds metro-scale foundation models for studying human mobility. It will integrate varied data including socio-demographics and movement from recorded routes and loop detectors.  The core model will be a learned simulation engine that can explore scenarios and adheres to both global and local data properties.

Phillips and Liu’s work will allow social-technical spatial scientists to compare against and study human mobility in aggregate and at scale.  Exemplar studies will address EV charging, and fair traffic policing, and it will also train next-generation spatial scientists at the interface of civil engineering and data science.

The John and Marcia Price College of Engineering congratulates Dr. Phillips and Dr. Liu on receiving such a prestigious grant for their exceptional interdisciplinary research.

Already active in the Engineering Scholars Program and ASCE, first-year student Melissa Jackson’s engineering studies are off to a promising start.

Melissa Jackson just completed her first year at the U, where she was an active student and community member of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Jackson was involved in the department’s chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), where she got to participate in activities such as tours of the Salt Lake City International Airport while it was under construction and being shown the Geotechnical Labs by the staff at Intermountain GeoEnvironmental Services, Inc. (IGES).

Additionally, she was a member of the college’s Engineering Scholars Program, which is a cohort of students who, having demonstrated high academic achievement, build connections, friendships, and experience while also participating in unique hands-on experiences and opportunities.

Outside her interests in Civil Engineering, Jackson enjoyed being involved with the community at the U by going to football games and being a member of the U’s Marching Band.

Most notably, however, Jackson has particularly enjoyed working in Dr. Weidhaas’ lab during her first year, where she first assisted in a project researching ion exchange for munitions industrial wastewater treatment in the Spring.

This Summer, Jackson is part of a project to evaluate the retention of antibiotic resistance genes in biofilms in water systems. Funding for the munitions wastewater work is being provided by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program.

“It has been a great learning opportunity to get hands on experience with real world problems,” said Jackson.

Melissa’s plans as a CvEEN major are to keep exploring what both the field and industry of Civil Engineering have to offer and she is currently leaning towards an emphasis in Environmental and Water engineering or Geotechnical Engineering.