CEE NEWS - Spring 2023

Civil & Enviro nmental E ng i ne e r i ng | C ar ne g i e Me llon Uni ve r s i ty SPRING 2023 | CMU.EDU/CEE

CEE NEWS Undergraduate Program Threads CEE's innovative program threads approach introduces Civil and Environmental Engineering students to critical topics from day one, empowering them with the skills to make a real difference in their careers and communities.

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CEE NEWS

Spring 2023

EDITOR & DESIGNER Mireille Mobley CONTRIBUTORS Daniel Carroll Rachel Mohr Handel Mireille Mobley Georgia Schumacher For more news and information about CEE please visit us at:

As I write this, Spring has taken hold on campus, signaling that our class of 2023 will soon wrap up their studies. It’s a natural progression, and one that we’ve prepared our students for, right from the start. We understand that no matter where they land in the engineering industry, there are threads that tie them back to us.

The lead story in this issue focuses on what we’ve defined as “program threads,” key ideas and themes that are reinforced throughout the curriculum to help students meet personal and professional learning objectives.

These threads have evolved over time to include important matters such as diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom, workplace, and community.

They also address sustainability, risk and uncertainty, and economics.

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SOMETHING TO SHARE?

Please email news to mmobley@andrew.cmu.edu

Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.

Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance with this statement should be directed to the vice president for campus affairs, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-2056.

Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security and fire safety report describing the university’s security, alcohol and drug, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and containing statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on the campus and the number and cause of fires in campus residence facilities during the preceding three years. You can obtain a copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department at 412-268-2323. The annual security and fire safety report is also available online at http://www. cmu.edu/police/annualreports/.

Technology and design are important threads—along with solid, old-fashioned faceto-face communication skills. This allows our graduates to interact successfully with people from all walks of life. We believe that cultivating interpersonal connections allows our engineers to speak passionately and persuasively, supporting collaborative relationships that can last throughout a career.

Perhaps the best way to wrap up this letter is to put the spotlight on the accomplishments of our students and alums—showcasing just how well the program threads have helped to cultivate their commitment to knowledge, service, and lifelong learning.

We’re excited to announce two Andrew Carnegie Scholars and a George Washington Prize honorable mention winner amongst our student body. And we’re focusing on alums who give back through volunteerism.

In addition to providing guidance and mentorship to students, our faculty continues to engage in thought-provoking research. Professor David Rounce is overseeing an international study that’s projecting glacier mass loss based on different environmental emissions scenarios. And Professor Destenie Nock is working with undergraduate student Lauren Janicke to understand how an investment in electrical transmission and distribution systems could reduce air pollution. We also have a number of faculty members who’ve been named as fellows to prestigious associations and foundations.

Our program threads spin across the globe as our students graduate and make their impacts on the world. While the threads support their growth, they also connect them back to CEE. I’d enjoy hearing about your thoughts for future threads that will help our students to be prepared for what’s next. Please share your ideas as we work together to support the future of civil and environmental engineering.

BURCU AKINCI The Paul Christiano Professor CEE Department Head

SPRING 2023

INSIDE THIS ISSUE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM THREADS

OUR FACULTY 12 PROFESSORS 2 ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS 8 ASSISTANT PROFESSORS 4

36%

Chaired Professorships

Of Our Faculty are Women

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The program's threads approach deepens students' knowledge and skills, preparing them to tackle real-world challenges with a sense of purpose and social responsibility.

TEAM PROJECTS 2 OUT OF 3 GLACIERS COULD BE LOST BY 2100 6

176

Faculty Led Publications AY2022-23

Professor David Rounce's international effort to produce new projections of glacier mass loss under different emissions scenarios.

INCREASING TRANSMISSION EFFICIENCY WOULD CUT AIR POLLUTION

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Researchers identify investment in electricity transmission and distribution systems as significant opportunity.

TOP 3 FUNDING SOURCES

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NASA

RESEARCH EXPENDITURES 44% INCREASE IN 2 YEARS

TOP 3 INDUSTRY SUPPORTERS CHEVRON FUJITSU ENGIE

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

44%

103 BACHELOR’S STUDENTS

OF BACHELOR’S GRADUATES CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION

48 Male, 54 Female, 1 Non-binary

20%

159 MASTER’S STUDENTS

OF MASTER’S GRADUATES CONTINUE TO PHD All degree programs for Class of 2022 with 92% reporting.

6% seeking employment post-graduation.

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74 Male, 85 Female

81 PHD STUDENTS 53 Male, 28 Female

REMEMBERING IRVING OPPENHEIM

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DEI HACKATHON CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS

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1948-2023

CEE students developed innovative DEI focused solutions.

SENIOR CAPSTONE: COMMUNITY BUILDING IN LITTLE NEGLEY RUN

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Student showcased the satisfaction of community-oriented design as civil engineering students applied their expertise to improve a local park in collaboration with local and community groups.

BROWN BLENDS ENGINEERING & CREATIVITY IN PHIPPS PROJECT 17

Engineering and creative interests unite in an exciting project for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

2023 ALUMNI AWARDS

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ALUMNI STORIES

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Daymanuel Sampson (BS ’13) Maddie Gioffre (BS '15, MS '16)

UNDERGRADUATE

PROGRAM THREADS

BUILDING CEE SKILLS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

COMPUTING ENGINEERING ECONOMICS PROJECT MANAGEMENT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION ETHICS COMMUNICATIONS RISK & UNCERTAINTY SUSTAINABILITY TECHNOLOGY & SENSING CONSTRUCTION 2

SYSTEMS THINKING

At CEE, we empower our students with the skills to make a real difference in their careers and communities. Our innovative Civil and Environmental Engineering programs introduce students to a range of key concepts and themes from day one, through our undergraduate program threading approach. These program threads cover a wide range of critical topics including engineering economics, technology and sensing, sustainability, and more, which are revisited throughout the student's academic journey, resulting in a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the field.

As students progress through their studies, our program threads approach allows for a deepening of their knowledge, expertise, and practical skills, ensuring that they are equipped to tackle real-world challenges with confidence and competence. By introducing topics such as social responsibility and ethics, we also instill in our students a sense of purpose, inspiring them to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

"The world is constantly evolving, and as such, we are committed to regularly innovating and updating our curriculum,” explains CEE Department Head, Burcu Akinci.

"By weaving new threads throughout our curriculum, we are able to introduce fresh perspectives and incorporate new ideas, ultimately leading to continuous improvements in our educational offerings."

To ensure that the threads are effectively infused throughout the program, the faculty have teamed up to define learning objectives for each thread and to map which courses teach which objectives. Doing so has helped faculty members to better anticipate what students will know coming into their courses and how that knowledge will grow over time.

“If we have a global understanding of what we want students to learn and what’s going to happen in other courses, we can say, ‘You'll do this in a course next semester.’ Or, ‘Remember?

You did this last year,’ explains Sarah Christian, CEE faculty

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member and Undergraduate Program Committee co-chair.

“We can help them to better contextualize their learning by drawing those connections.”

Likewise, the threads have served to inform course updates and new course design as well as enable faculty alignment around achieving key program objectives.

“The threads allow us to articulate what we want our students to be able to do by the end of their time with us,” says Joe Moore, who co-chairs the Undergraduate Program Committee with Christian. “In conjunction, the threads give us a means by which to ensure that we are systematically building the students’ skill sets and understanding and getting them to those ultimate goals.”

INTEGRATING THE THREADS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM Introducing Key Concepts and Skills in Year One The introductory 12-100 CEE course is where students first encounter many of the undergraduate threads, paving the way for further study and growth. In this first-year class, students touch on areas like system thinking, risk and uncertainty, sustainability and engineering economics.

They gain initial

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familiarity with the design and construction process, including the use of math skills, computational tools, and sensing technology as part of engineering design.

Less technical ideas also arise. As part of the communications thread, students receive an overview of professional and technical writing genres used in CEE and begin refining their presentation skills. Students learn about project management and

Sensing technology is an increasingly important part of the civil and environmental engineering field. These novel technologies can empower engineers to make more proactive, informed decisions and build smarter, more connected infrastructure systems and communities.

It’s also an area where Carnegie Mellon’s CEE faculty have long been on the cuttingedge in research and application, making sensing a natural fit for an area of focus

"The threads are reflective of the

concepts,” says Katherine Flanigan, who teaches the course.

With her experience in structural monitoring research, Flanigan also connects the course content to realworld case studies she’s worked on to highlight sensing’s widespread applicability in civil and environmental engineering applications.

In the junior projects course, led by Moore, students examine the use of sensing for resource allocation and infrastructure management at Carnegie Mellon. For example, students recently monitored traffic to the University’s health center to consider whether the facility should extend its hours.

holistic approach we

take to undergraduate education."

engineering codes of ethics. They also begin to examine the complex ways that engineering decisions impact others, looking at contemporary and historical issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Of course we want our students to be very strong in their technical skills.

At the same time, they need to be cognizant of the ethical considerations of our engineering actions. They need to be able to communicate in a way that's going to compel others to see their perspective,” says Moore. “The threads are reflective of the holistic approach we take to undergraduate education.”

Technology and Sensing in the Forefront

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for CEE’s undergraduate program.

Students explore this thread in many of their second and third year courses, including two dedicated labs: a Sensing and Data Acquisition lab followed by Experimental & Sensing Systems Design and Computation for Infrastructure Systems lab. The sophomore and junior design classes are also key parts of the Technology and Sensing thread.

In the sophomore design class, students explore the use of sensing for structural health monitoring. “By introducing students to sensing, computing, and data acquisition in the context of a very relatable application area, students are able to connect their growing mechanics and physics-based domain knowledge with more advanced computing and sensing

“The goal is to use the data captured by these sensing technologies to improve community services and the management of infrastructure and environmental systems, while also being sensitive to ethical considerations like privacy,” explains Moore. “In these project courses, we’re tying in a lot of this content from the different threads. Since they happen every year, they're natural points throughout the program to add to the students’ skills and to bring them all together.”

Prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Another thread essential to CEE’s undergraduate education is diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—which aligns closely to the department’s vision of empowering a diverse community of socially conscious problem solvers to lead the world to a sustainable,

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of engineering and environmental and social justice.

resilient, equitable, and inclusive future. As such, CEE is committed to developing engineers who understand and demonstrate the importance of DEI through their decisions and actions.

With the DEI thread across the curriculum, class discussions and assignments push students to analyze and evaluate complex ideas and dilemmas at the intersection

best ways to end up with outcomes that do less harm is if you involve community members in the design process,” says Christian, who co-teaches the senior CEE When studying computation Design course with David Rounce. Under and data science, students see their guidance, the senior design course how bias can be embedded has evolved to focus on projects that in sensor technologies, data support underserved communities. To processing, and interpretation plan and design their projects, students of results. When learning must seek input and feedback from about environmental diverse stakeholders, helping them realize engineering, they cover the value of partnering with people who the topic of environmental bring first-hand knowledge of community justice with case studies challenges and opportunities. related to water, air, and land quality. In their junior CEE Department Head Burcu Akinci projects course, students explains, "Engineers have a crucial role weigh the engineering to play in creating a brighter future. economics and ethics of We are equipping our students to fulfill infrastructure investments in this responsibility by collaborating with wealthy communities versus stakeholders and tackling problems with underserved areas. As a follow-up to that a community-centered mindset and a discussion, they consider how they could focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. adapt a cost-benefit analysis to be more Our vision includes empowering a diverse equitable. community of socially-conscious problem solvers, and our goal is to produce The DEI thread also teaches students how graduates who excel not only technically to effectively engage and listen to the but also in addressing the needs of society communities engineers serve. and advancing their chosen profession."

“From the research I’ve done, one of the

Strengthening Communication Skills The value of being a good communicator is instilled in all of our engineering students. In their first year, students learn about the writing they’ll do in their careers, including engineering calculations, business letters, memos, and reports. With faculty guidance, they begin to consider how to make their speech and writing clear and concise. They also explore how strategic visuals can make presentations and reports more compelling and impactful.

stakeholders, including colleagues, clients, and the general public.

In the following years, CEE students continue studying professional and technical communication, including analyzing real-world examples and listening to practitioners share their communication experiences.

As students complete various types of projects and research, they build competencies in planning, drafting, and revising documents as well as presenting findings to maximize audience understanding and interest.

Course exercises teach negotiation skills, peer review techniques, and how to communicate with diverse

“The communication skills thread is designed so that skills are introduced, reinforced, and refined throughout the undergraduate curriculum,” says CEE Director of Undergraduate Programs, Andrea Francioni Rooney, who teaches the professional writing course. “As our students go on to internships and full-time positions, their communication skills are noticed by supervisors.

Recent graduates often mention how grateful they are for the communication skills they gained in CEE.”

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In Environmental Engineering, students also read and discuss op-ed examples before drafting an op-ed on a topic of their choosing, helping to strengthen their persuasive writing abilities. Some students further enhance their skills by taking an elective Professional Writing in CEE course.

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CEE Professor David Rounce has led an international effort to produce new projections of glacier mass loss through the century under different emissions scenarios. The projections were aggregated into global temperature change scenarios to support adaptation and mitigation discussions, such as those at the recent United Nations Conference of Parties (COP 27). His work showed that the world could lose as much as 41 percent of its total glacier mass this century—or as little as 26 percent—depending on today’s climate change mitigation efforts.

The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report for policymakers brought together thousands of internationally recognized climate experts in an urgent plea to citizens and their governments to fight for drastic and immediate reductions to greenhouse gas emissions.

TEAM PROJECTS TWO OUT OF THREE GLACIERS COULD BE LOST BY 2100

David Rounce

The report warned that policymakers have less than three years to act to avert catastrophic and irreversible changes to our climate. The shared socioeconomic pathways, or SSPs, they used to model future scenarios for climate change are based on factors like population, economic growth, education, urbanization, and innovation. These new pathways illustrate a more complete picture of socioeconomic trends that could impact future greenhouse gas emissions.

Only recently have researchers been able to produce global predictions for total glacial mass change using the new SSPs. Rounce’s work aggregates these future climate scenarios based on their increase in global mean temperature to evaluate the corresponding impacts associated with temperature change scenarios ranging from +1.5°C to +4°C. His model is also calibrated with an unprecedented amount of data, including individual mass change observations for every glacier, and uses state-of-the-art calibration methods that require the use of supercomputers.

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Rounce and his team found that in the SSP, with continued investment in fossil fuels, more than 40 percent of the glacial mass will be gone within the century, and more than 80 percent of glaciers by number could well disappear.

Even in a best-case, low-emissions scenario, where the increase in global mean temperature is limited to +1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels, more than 25 percent of glacial mass will be gone and nearly 50 percent of glaciers by number are projected to disappear. A majority of these lost glaciers are small (less than one km2) by glacial standards, but their loss can negatively affect local hydrology, tourism, glacier hazards, and cultural values.

Prior work by Rounce has shown that the thickness and distribution of debris cover can have a positive or negative effect on glacial melt rates across an entire region, depending on the debris thickness. In this newest work, he found that accounting for these processes had relatively little impact on the global glacier projections, but substantial differences in mass loss were found when analyzing individual glaciers.

His work provides better context for regional glacier modeling, and he hopes it will spur climate policy makers to lower temperature change goals beyond the 2.7° C mark that pledges from COP26 are projected to hit. Smaller glacial

regions like Central Europe, low latitudes like the Andes, and the upper areas of North America will be disproportionately affected by temperatures rising more than 2° C. At a 3° C rise these glacial regions almost disappear completely.

Rounce noted that the way in which glaciers respond to changes in climate takes a long time. He describes the glaciers as extremely slow-moving rivers.

Cutting emissions today will not remove previously emitted greenhouse gasses, nor can it instantly halt the inertia they contribute to climate change, meaning even a complete halt to emissions would still take between 30 and 100 years to be reflected in glacier mass loss rates.

His work provides better context for regional glacier modeling, and he hopes it will spur climate policy makers to lower temperature change goals beyond the 2.7°C Many processes govern how glaciers lose mass, and Rounce is working to advance how models account for different types of glaciers, including tidewater and debris-covered glaciers. Tidewater glaciers refer to glaciers that terminate in the ocean, which causes them to lose a lot of mass at this interface.

Debris-covered glaciers refer to glaciers that are covered by sand, rocks, and boulders.

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Above Figure: Regional glacier mass change and contributions to sea level rise from 2015 to 2100. Discs show global and regional projections of glacier mass remaining by 2100 relative to 2015 for global mean temperature change scenarios. Discs are scaled based on each region’s contribution to global mean sea level rise from 2015 to 2100 for the +2°C scenario by 2100 relative to preindustrial levels, and nested rings are colored by temperature change scenarios showing normalized mass remaining in 2100.

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Increasing Transmission Efficiency Would Cut Air Pollution Researchers identify investment in electricity transmission and distribution systems as significant opportunity for reducing air pollution.

Investment in electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) systems could significantly reduce air pollution, according to a study led Lauren Janicke, an undergraduate in civil and environmental engineering (CEE), and Destenie Nock, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy. Published in Energy, the researchers measured the air pollution generated through inefficiencies in T&D networks, examined opportunities for reducing emissions through regulation at the multinational and sub-national scales, and compared the cost of these potential emissions reductions to the cost of investment in renewable energy.

Janicke, Nock, and their co-authors note that, “globally, 10.2 million premature annual deaths can be attributed to fossil-fuel generation and associated PM2.5 emissions (fine inhalable particles less than 2.5 millionths of a meter in size), a large part of which comes from the electricity sector.”

When there are inefficiencies in the electrical system, more energy must be produced to compensate, resulting in excess emissions from what they term “compensatory generation.” There are well-explored opportunities for reducing emissions from the way we generate and consume electricity; however, comparatively little research exists on the potential for reducing air pollution incurred in the delivery of electricity from the generator to the consumer.

By comparing the electricity generated in a given country to the electricity delivered to end users, Janicke and Nock quantified the percentage of emissions resulting from compensatory generation in 142 countries. They found great variation in these, ranging from as low as two percent of total generation lost in Singapore, to as high as 60 percent of total generation in Haiti, and reaching five percent in the U.S. This has an especially strong impact on air pollution for countries reliant on carbon-intensive energy sources. On a global scale, around 2100 Terrawatt of compensatory generation is required due to these T&D losses.

In analyzing several scenarios, the team found that improving T&D efficiency between five and 33 percent would decrease global median emissions by

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as much as 40 percent. The efficacy of emissions reductions within different scenarios varies by pollutant type, and the type of generation prevalent, particularly coal or oil, also correlates with opportunities for emission reductions due to compensatory generation.

they distinguished between technical losses, resulting from infrastructure inefficiencies, and non-technical losses, resulting from theft or error. Janicke and Nock note that technical losses could be eliminated by replacing older T&D infrastructure with newer, high-voltage lines.

In the U.S. there are multiple subnational regulatory bodies, the most prominent being the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which works under federal oversight to develop and enforce reliability rules for bulk power electric transmission systems. The different regions within NERC present different energy profiles, meaning different opportunities for reducing T&D losses.

Likewise, non-technical losses could best be cut down by reducing electricity theft, Lauren Janicke deploying smart meters, and enforcing greater accountability in bill payment. In a cost comparison per ton of CO2 abated, they found that smart meters in the U.S. have a median abatement cost of $1,100 per ton CO2, compared to $700 per ton CO2 Destenie Nock for wind turbines, and $1,280 per ton carbon dioxide (CO2) for solar plants. However, Overall, the high ambition scenario for cost estimates for mass deployment of regulation (five percent cap on losses) smart meters still need to be performed, could cut compensatory generation on and renewable energy is dependent on average by about 60 percent—about weather conditions.

Janicke and Nock three percent of total U.S. power estimate that in a moderate ambition generation. The source from which states scenario for the U.S. with a cap of generate their energy again influences 33 percent current T&D losses, wind its potential for reductions in emissions through increased T&D efficiency.

State policy also plays a major role, with states like North Dakota (heavily coal-dependent) and Texas (naturalgas dependent), for example, having opportunities at the state level that could significantly decrease emissions from compensatory generation.

turbines would be most cost-effective; however, in the high ambition scenario capped at five percent, smart meters become more cost-effective. Smart meters may also have a greater impact in other regions of the world where non-technical losses are higher, in combination with automated billing.

“We note that countries are using a combination of approaches (smart meters, wind, and solar deployment) as part of their decarbonization strategies,” the team concluded. “Smart meters might be cheaper in some cases, and the right combination of smart meters, wind, and solar should be based on spatially resolved analysis. While renewable energy has other benefits beyond reducing carbon emissions, even in a high renewable future, smart meters will be beneficial because they will reduce the electricity demand, leading to fewer investment needs in generation capacity.”

This research was performed in collaboration with Kavita Surana of the University of Maryland and Sarah M. Jordaan of McGill University (previously of Johns Hopkins University). It was funded in part by the National Science Foundation, the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.

“It is important to recognize that while improving T&D losses will not completely compensate for relying on fossil fuels, it can reduce current emissions as we are transitioning, and reduce the total amount of renewable generation we will need to build,” notes Nock.

Regarding T&D losses themselves,

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Watch on YouTube: Professor Destenie Nock and Lauren Janicke discuss their project's findings.

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Akinci and VanBriesen Elected as 2022 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Professor and department head Burcu Akinci has made significant contributions to data-driven construction and infrastructure management, using digital twins to improve proactive and predictive decision-making. Her lab develops new models and tools for modernizing infrastructure management.

Akinci researches integrating building information models with data capture tech to create digital twins for proactive and predictive management. She's also part of a team creating a smart habitat for NASA's HOME project. Akinci is an exceptional leader and researcher with experience as associate dean and co-chair of CEE’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She currently serves on the National Academy’s board on infrastructure and the Connected Environment.

CEE/EPP professor Jeanne VanBriesen is a highly regarded environmental engineer who has made significant contributions to the field, particularly in biodegradation modeling and energy systems' impact on drinking water. She currently serves as the director of the Division for Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems at the U.S. National Science Foundation. Her research focuses on environmental systems, including urban water system sustainability, the built environment water cycle, and the energy-water nexus.

VanBriesen has won several awards and has received research funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Colcom Foundation, Heinz Endowments, Packard Foundation, and Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance.

She has served on the U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board and the National Science Foundation Engineering Directorate Advisory Committee, and has held leadership positions in professional organizations including AEESP, CUAHSI, and the Ohio River Basin Consortia for Research and Education.

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Acharya Named Simons Foundation Pivot Fellow Professor Amit Acharya has been selected as one of the inaugural fellows of The Simons Foundation Pivot Fellowship.

This esteemed fellowship recognizes the achievements of seven outstanding researchers who aim to apply their expertise in a new area of mathematics or natural sciences.

During his fellowship, Professor Acharya will collaborate with Ambar Sengupta from the University of Connecticut, to develop the mathematical framework required to establish a new branch of mathematical gauge theory. This theory will be specifically tailored to study the dynamics and collective behavior of topological defects, such as dislocations and disclinations, in nonlinear elastic solids. Their ultimate objective is to study the dynamics of these defects by utilizing path integral methods in a finite-dimensional approximation to gain insights into their statistical properties.

This research will hopefully provide a deeper understanding of the plasticity of crystalline solids, a complex macroscopic phenomenon with significant technological implications.

Flanigan Named Wimmer Faculty Fellow Professor Katherine Flanigan is a 2022-23 Wimmer Faculty Fellow at the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Educational Innovation. She is revising a sophomore-level design course called 12-200: CEE Challenges - Design in a Changing World, which challenges students to solve problems related to conventional, cutting-edge, and emerging issues in CEE. By engaging in two projects and skill-building tasks, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the engineering design process and the practical application of skills related to sensing, computing, and data acquisition. To enable students to transfer this knowledge to other interdisciplinary engineering challenges, Flanigan is creating an engineering design module that incorporates these skills in a universal way that can be applied across domains. Through the use of this module, students will apply their newfound knowledge to different projects and reflect on its potential application in future engineering courses and real-world scenarios.

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Tang Awarded Dowd Fellowship to Develop Simulations Professor Pingbo Tang has been awarded a Dowd Fellowship, which will enable him to incorporate data-driven simulation games into three civil systems courses. These courses provide students with practical, hands-on

experience in operating and maintaining civil systems, such as airports, power plants, water treatment facilities, and transportation networks.

These data-driven simulations will allow students to try out various operation, inspection, and maintenance strategies and observe their outcomes.

As globalization and urbanization continue to put increasing demands on civil systems, the next generation of engineers must possess skills to diagnose, reconfigure, recover from anomalies, and update these systems dynamically. Tang plans to develop dynamic decision-making games based on his extensive research data, digital models, and relevant materials accumulated over the past decade.

The Philip and Marsha Dowd Fellowship, awarded by the CMU College of Engineering, recognizes outstanding educational contributions and encourages faculty to undertake innovative educational projects such as textbook writing, educational technology development, laboratory experience improvement, educational software, or course and curriculum development.

Remembering Irving Oppenheim in his 50 years of service to CEE and the School of Architecture (SoA). The unique connection between the two departments is an interdisciplinary testament to his legacy as an educator and researcher.

Oppenheim is remembered fondly for his singular mastery of the language of communicating across disciplines.

He shared his passion for his work and the arts freely, and the stories of those his life touched painted the portrait of a mentor, a friend, and a humanist.

Irving Oppenheim, emeritus professor in Carnegie Mellon University’s Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture Departments, passed away on February 26, 2023, at 74 years old.

Oppenheim served on the faculty with great distinction from 1972 until retiring in 2022.

Oppenheim left an indelible mark on countless students, faculty, and staff

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Recognized throughout his career as an outstanding teacher, in 2006, Oppenheim received the Benjamin Richard Teare Award for excellence in engineering education, the highest recognition for teaching in the college.

“Irving was an exceptional colleague whose impact was felt by faculty, staff, and students alike,” says professor and department head Burcu Akinci. “He demonstrated an

unwavering dedication to his work, an outstanding work ethic, a strong sense of service, and was a true friend and a mentor to many. His absence will be deeply felt by the CEE community.”

In addition to his immense academic contributions, colleagues and former students warmly recalled Oppenheim’s appreciation for paintings and his many musical performances during CEE talent shows including a humorous rendition of a song he’d written called Registration Blues.

Oppenheim also shared with those gathered at a recent retirement event honoring him that “it has been my greatest privilege and good fortune to have served in these roles at Carnegie Mellon University.”

The CEE department will be hosting a memorial event for alumni, colleagues and friends in the fall in his honor. If you have a memory or condolence to share with the family, please email mmobley@andrew.cmu.edu.

DEI Hackathon Challenges Students to Develop Solutions DEI Hackathon organized by CEE students aimed to encourage students to come up with solutions that promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Participants were challenged to develop innovative solutions to issues that resonate with them personally, with cash prizes awarded to the winning teams. Moreover, all participants had the chance to network with industry experts, adding further value to their experience.

Min Young Hwang, a PhD student and member of the department's DEI committee, organized the Hackathon with the goal of bringing together undergraduate and graduate students.

According to Hwang, the event's significance extends beyond its duration.

She believes that DEI-focused solutions are crucial in breaking down barriers and promoting equitable access to resources and networks for underrepresented groups.

Diverse communities are made up of individuals whose unique identities

are shaped by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and other life experiences and ideologies. DEI-based solutions ensure that all stakeholder groups in a diverse community are actively included in decision-making, implementation, and other participatory processes.

A total of 33 students registered for the Hackathon, forming 11 teams. Their projects were diverse and addressed various issues, such as designing plans for constructing bridges to connect

communities, implementing green infrastructure projects to mitigate Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO), developing early education STEM curricula for local elementary and middle schools, and proposing ideas for annual CEE igloo building competitions.

Aligned with CEE's objective to integrate DEI throughout a student's experience, Hwang aimed to keep the Hackathon relaxed and enjoyable. Hwang believed that the Hackathon encouraged students to think creatively and consider ways to make a positive impact in their community.

Winning Projects: DEI Hackathon The first-place team in the undergraduate category comprised Hikari Harrison, Aurora Fuchs, Amelia Heller, and Madeline Falk. Their project focused on tackling food insecurity in Pittsburgh by utilizing a network of community gardens and incorporating Walipini-style greenhouses for year-round gardening.

The first-place graduate student team included Deeksha Mallikarjuna Prasanna, Ishwrya Achuthan Geetha, Sakar Adhikari, and Sri Ramana Saketh Vasanthawada. Their project aimed to promote gender equity in public transportation by collecting data from the public to create a Transportation Equity Index on an ArcGIS dashboard. The index would incorporate first-level indicators like safety, flexibility, and accessibility to encourage policymakers to improve public transportation and increase ridership.

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SPRING 2023

Fern Hollow Bridge Site Tour The ASCE student chapter had the opportunity to tour the Fern Hollow Bridge site with PennDOT to witness the rebuilding project up close. After the bridge collapsed on January 28, 2022, the construction of a new bridge commenced on May 9, 2022, and the new structure was dedicated on December 20, 2022.

CEE Spotlight: Carmen Andrade The CEE Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee initiated a project to gather stories from our students, highlighting their personal experiences and motivations that inspired them to pursue engineering.

These stories not only shed light on their individual journeys but also demonstrate their commitment to shaping our physical communities and promoting equity within them. To access these inspiring reflections, simply scan the QR code on our website.

Structures have always been a fascination for me. As a child, I enjoyed designing houses and floor plans, which led me to believe that I wanted to become an architect. However, after attending an Architecture pre-college program at CMU, I discovered my true interest in the engineering side of design.

I was drawn towards understanding how structures worked and ensuring their safety, leading me to pursue Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE).

My Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian heritage has also heavily influenced my decision to focus on earthquake and structural

cmu.edu/cee

engineering. Having witnessed the devastating effects of natural disasters in both Puerto Rico and Ecuador, I am motivated to learn why building failures occur and how they can be prevented.

Growing up in a multicultural community and being the product of two different cultures has taught me the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I have learned to have an open mind and to be curious about the unknown. My curiosity has led me to take a gap year in Germany and to be an active alumni volunteer in my exchange program.

I hope to continue volunteering with exchange programs and work internationally in the future.

CMU's emphasis on collaboration has been one of my most positive experiences on campus. Collaborating with students from different departments has taught me to work with people from different academic backgrounds and to take advantage of their unique strengths. Despite my initial fear of academic competitiveness, the culture of collaboration at CMU has

made it a great place to learn and grow.

As an advocate for inclusion, I strive to ensure that others are heard and that I listen actively. Advocating for inclusion should not be limited to academic spaces but should also be considered in informal settings. Building a community has also been essential for me to manage the demands of CMU. Being part of both the Track and Field and CEE communities has made my experience at CMU much more enjoyable.

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Sit On It Pittsburgh In the CEE Challenges: Design in a Changing World project, students had the opportunity to combine sustainability practices with collaborating with community groups. Kyle Bartell, the founder of Sit On It Detroit, challenged students to design and construct sensor compatible benches, incorporating special secure parts underneath where hardware could be stored in the future. Throughout the process, students were able to learn about sustainability and community partnerships.

Sit On It Detroit is a community effort that has expanded to other cities. They use reclaimed wood to create public benches, picnic tables, chairs, and more for vacant lots, creating pocket parks. Central to the group's efforts is involving communities in the process.

Recent PhD Theses BYEONGSEONG CHO

THIAGO AUGUSTO RODRIGUES

Urban Temperature and Electricity Demand: Probabilistic Modeling and Adaptive Decision-making

Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Autonomous Ground and Aerial Vehicles for Last-Mile Delivery

Advisors: Matteo Pozzi; Mario Bergés

Advisors: Constantine Samaras; Jeremy J. Michalek

RUI HE

ELVIN VINDEL

Modeling of Sustainable Materials Management Systems: Hybrid Science-based, Data-driven Approaches

Towards Enabling Grid-Interactive Technologies for HVAC Systems in Commercial Buildings

Advisor: Mitchell Small

Advisors: Mario Bergés; Burcu Akinci

CARLOS HERNANDEZ

JIAAN WANG

Decision-Making Tools for the Mitigation of Particulate Matter Health Impacts

Ensuring CO2 Storage and Groundwater Safety through Geochemical Monitoring at CO2 Injection Sites

Advisor: Peter Adams

Advisor: Mitchell Small

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SPRING 2023

Andrew Carnegie Scholars: Andrade and Grzybowski CivE/EPP senior Carmen Andrade is the current President of Chi Epsilon, the civil engineering honor society, building on the accomplishments of the previous executive board. She coordinated review sessions for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and helped to organize a well-received career seminar given by Department Head Burcu Akinci.

She also serves on the EPP Student Advisory Council. In addition, Andrade is a strong contributor to the CMU Track & Field Team, earning All-Academic status.

Carmen Andrade Matthew Grzybowski

Matthew Grzybowski, CivE/EPP senior, currently leads the Interfraternity Council at CMU as their president, previously serving as Vice-President of Risk Management. Grzybowski is

very involved in the Catholic Newman Club, acting as the Civic and Greek Engagement Officer. Additionally, he has contributed to the CEE department as a representative on the CEE Undergraduate Student Advisory Council. Grzybowski is also a valuable member of the CMU Football Team as an outside linebacker.

ACS Scholars are selected each year by their deans and department heads to represent their class in service and leadership. These undergraduate seniors embody Carnegie Mellon's high standards of academic excellence, volunteerism, leadership, and involvement in student organizations, athletics or the arts. Since its inception in 1975, the program has recognized nearly 1,000 students.

Familetti Awarded Honorable Mention for Prestigious George Washington Prize Lauren Familetti, a senior majoring in Civil Engineering (CivE) and Engineering and Public Policy (EPP), has been honored with the Honorable Mention for the esteemed George Washington Prize.

Familetti has showcased exceptional leadership skills and dedication to her department, university, and the broader community. A stellar student, she follows George Washington's footsteps by being both an engineer and a member of the military. As a cadet in the Three Rivers Battalion Army ROTC, Familetti manages to balance her academic pursuits with her commitment to serving the country, exemplifying civic responsibility and acting as a role model for others.

In addition to her military service, Familetti serves on the board of both

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the American Society of Civil Engineers and Chi Epsilon, the civil engineering honor society. She has also contributed to organizing faculty seminars.

Familetti is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Tau Beta Pi, and Mortar Board.

Through SWE, she has volunteered in outreach programs targeted at middle and high school students, inspiring the next generation of engineers.

As an asset to the CEE department, Familetti shares her experience and advice with prospective undergraduates

and younger students. She consistently offers support to those struggling with coursework or problem sets, using her exceptional ability to break down complex concepts and help others understand.

Named in honor of the first president of the United States, the George Washington Prize underlines the significance of engineering and technology in sustaining and enhancing the visibility of the profession.

Lauren Familetti's recognition for this prestigious prize is a testament to her dedication, leadership, and service in the field of engineering and at CMU.

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Senior Capstone: Community Building in Little Negley Run The 12-401 course demonstrated the satisfaction engineers can achieve through community-oriented design. Students applied expertise in structural, geotechnical, transportation, environmental, and water resources engineering to improve a local park. Students worked with representatives from local and community groups Negley Run Watershed Task Force, Urban Redevelopment Authority, and the Larimer Consensus Group.

Teams tackled specific areas of the project, including designing access between Auburn Street and Negley Run Blvd, a pedestrian and bike trail, stream restoration, and green and grey stormwater infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflow. At the end of the course students presented their innovative designs to community stakeholders and organizations relevant to the project.

SPRING 2023

Brown Blends Engineering & Creativity in Phipps Project Sophomore Chloe Brown is mixing their engineering and creative interests in an exciting project for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Brown is working alongside CMU drama students to design a costume that will be displayed in the conservatory’s gardens.

“The group designed a transparent, androgynous suit with faux fungi growing off of it. The fungi is made using fabric manipulation and textile arts like crochet and knitting,” Brown says.

Brown, who is studying Civil Engineering and minoring in Drama, says that they learned about the design project in Fundamentals of Costume Design class.

“Throughout my life, I have always been very artistic. I feel like the natural skills I have from that—combined with the project management skills I have gained from my first few semesters as a Civil Engineering student—are aiding

cmu.edu/cee

me tremendously in working on this costume.”

Brown mentions that CMU is a very supportive environment that allows students to study across subject areas.

The Phipps project reinforced the value and opportunities presented through interdisciplinary learning.

complimented by the group’s mentor— which was gratifying because Brown hadn’t ever worked on draping before.

Brown’s collaborative effort will be on display at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens beginning in late spring.

“The best parts of this project are the times that my group has come together to build the costume on our mannequin. It's so exciting seeing all the various pieces we have separately made combining into a lively costume that brings our vision to life.”

The project hasn’t been without surprises. Brown notes that during the first build session, they improvised while working with the faux fungi.

“At some point, I just started playing around with draping the fabric and before I knew it, there was a train and it actually looked really cool.” They were

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2023 CEE Alumni Award Recipients CEE is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Alumni Awards, which are presented annually during Carnival.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Martin Fertal OUTSTANDING ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

Dan Streyle LT. COL. CHRISTOPHER K. RAIBLE DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Carly Jerla RECENT ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Alejandro Gomez Rivera

Martin Fertal, the Chief Operating Officer at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), has earned the Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes CEE alumni who have significantly contributed to the improvement of professional engineering practices or have enhanced people's lives. Fertal oversees ASCE's extensive membership base, nine technical institutes, publications department, continuing education, and career services programming, with the objective of advancing the society's goals effectively.

Fertal has been involved in all facets of the organization, ranging from communications and government relations to membership, marketing, and IT department, and his aim is to achieve ASCE's objectives as efficiently as possible. He further explains that his transition to ASCE was a natural progression that leverages the problem-solving skills he acquired at CEE. According to Fertal, "Understanding your clients' problems, finding the best solutions, and effectively communicating them are what drive us forward, whether we're working on intricate technical problems or large-scale business opportunities."

Dan Streyle, a project manager specializing in professional sports facilities, has been awarded the Outstanding Alumni Service Award, which recognizes CEE alumni who have made sustained contributions to the CEE department, the university, or the

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SPRING 2023

engineering profession over time. He has led architects and builders in the creation of iconic sports venues, including the Cincinnati Bengals' stadium and State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, and has worked as Director of Construction for the Arizona Cardinals since 2017.

Streyle remains connected to CEE through his volunteer work on the Board of the Andrew Carnegie Society (ACS). He also established an Undergraduate Research Fund in memory of his late first wife, Linda Anne Halas (BS, ChemE '75), to give back and guide future engineers. He says, "One of our activities [on ACS] is that we serve as mentors to students who are ACS Scholars. This past year, both of my mentees were CEE students."

Carly Jerla (BS '02), a Hydrologic Engineer with the Lower Colorado Region of the Bureau of Reclamation, has been named the recipient of Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible Distinguished Public Service Award, which was established in memory of Lt. Col. Raible (CEE '95) who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2012.

This award recognizes CEE alumni who have made significant contributions to public service. Jerla focuses on the development of modeling applications and decision support for water operations and planning at the University of Colorado's Center for Advanced Decision Support for Water and Environmental Systems.

She played a crucial role in the Secretary of the Interior's 2007 plan to implement guidelines for the operation of Lake Powell and Lake Mead through 2026. During that time, Jerla worked with stakeholder groups to develop and analyze alternatives that were to be considered in the National Environmental Policy Act process.

cmu.edu/cee

Alejandro Gomez Rivera's impressive achievements since graduating from CEE with his master's degree in 2013 have been recognized with the Recent Alumni Award, an honor bestowed upon alumni who have made significant contributions to their field within a decade of completing their highest degree from the department. After serving as a tunnel construction engineer for the Anacostia River Tunnel in Washington, DC, Gomez Rivera co-founded binni, inc., a construction technology firm that enhances the efficiency and productivity of tunnel and concrete construction teams. Through innovative solutions that enable better planning, tracking, and reporting of operations, binni has been helping front-line construction teams deliver megaprojects across the United States and Europe over the past three years.

Gomez Rivera credits his success to the technical foundation he gained at CEE, particularly in the areas of Building Information Modeling (BIM), data-driven analytics, and sensing technologies. By leveraging these skills, he has been able to revolutionize the construction industry through binni's cutting-edge solutions.

Through his work at binni, he has been instrumental in supporting front-line construction teams delivering megaprojects across the United States and Europe, such as the Ship Canal Tunnel in Seattle, and the Purple Line Metro and DC Clean Rivers Project in Washington, DC. The impact of his work in the construction industry cannot be understated, and he is undoubtedly a deserving recipient of the Recent Alumni Award. His journey serves as a source of inspiration to aspiring engineers and highlights the importance of leveraging one's skills to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Congratulations to all of our exceptional alumni award winners!

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Sampson Provides Growth Opportunities for Women & Minority-Owned Businesses Daymanuel Sampson (BS ’13) has worked in many roles during his ten years with Turner Construction Company, from building information modeling (BIM) and engineering to on-site superintending and project management. His current title is Community and Citizenship Director, allowing Sampson to focus on both workforce development in constructionrelated fields and engagement with Underutilized Business Enterprises (UBE) in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Connecting eager learners with opportunities to grow is similar to his experiences as a CEE student.

Sampson states that his time at CMU demonstrated the importance of community and citizenship work. “My heart has always been in the work when it comes to philanthropy,” he states, mentioning that he also learned proper planning, teamwork, and how to curate the proper resources for success.

"My heart has always been in the work when it comes to philanthropy."

He operates within Turner’s 50+ year-old School of Construction Management (TSCM). “It’s focused on assisting small, Womenowned, and Minority-owned businesses and allows us to develop genuine business relationships and foster growth within our industry,” he says.

The process begins when a cohort is selected to study at TSCM. They meet with internal leadership and industry professionals who teach them about operations, marketing, bonding and insurance, safety, and finances. “The goal is to afford access to resources and opportunities. There are several UBEs that have come through TSCM, and we hope to see many more in the future.”

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“There is something to take away from each class you take, every group you take part in, and every project you complete at Carnegie Mellon. You’re challenged to think critically about the end user and their needs.” This led Sampson to seek a career that made him a part of the solution to bigger world problems.

In addition to fulfilling his need to give back, the position of Community and Citizenship Director also came at a perfect time in his life and career. During the pandemic, he experienced first-hand the civil unrest and hardships within minority communities.

“When I was approached by the leadership at Turner to consider this role, I looked at it as an opportunity

to leave my mark on an industry for the better. I can bridge gaps that are overlooked in greater society while fostering relationships that lead to the betterment of my company and community.”

He recommends that companies encourage employees to take part in volunteer opportunities not just for personal growth, but because they can build strong corporate network.

“Volunteering as a company allows people to give back in ways that they may not be able to individually, especially during the work week.”

Sampson adds that he’s witnessed his team members become inspired to do more within the community—and become stronger co-workers.

“I highly recommend all corporate entities reevaluate their philanthropic capacities and assess how they can become better stewards to those in need; it can be a life changing experience!”

SPRING 2023

Alumni Volunteerism Delivers STEM to Kids Service has always been important to Maddie Gioffre (BS '15, MS '16). As an undergraduate at CEE, she served on the student executive board of ASCE, helping to plan and run events within the department. This experience helped her develop her leadership skills and led to her current role as the CEO of S.Y.STEM Coalition. The non-profit, which operates on a volunteer basis, collaborates with industry partners to provide communitycentered STEM experiences to students.

S.Y.STEM Coalition provides students with a range of engaging STEM activities, including workshops, insider tours of workplaces, career outreach in classrooms, guided internships, and camps focused on electronics and robotics. One of their most popular programs is a month-long summer program that pairs high school students with technical and business mentors to develop a product and pitch it to a panel of sharks for a chance to earn a scholarship.

S.Y.STEM Coalition uses hands-on activities and games to inspire youth to pursue success through STEM. “During the robotics summer camp at Hosana House, we had students instruct the teacher on how to make a PB& J sandwich, which helped to simulate giving instructions to a computer. The teacher would only do exactly what the kids

cmu.edu/cee

told him to do, which wasn't always what they wanted.” Gioffre adds that the final project involved programming a robot to go through a maze.

Recently, S.Y.STEM Coalition launched a new program in Zimbabwe that provides students with training in computer sciences—allowing them to pursue higher education or secure a remote job with a software company. The program is the brainchild of Gioffre and four other CMU alums--Angela Ng (CivE/BME BS '16), Tara Stentz (ECE/CS BS '18), Kim Kleiven (CS BS '17), and Rohan Varma (CS BS '17).

In partnership with The Nyadire Connection, students had the opportunity to attend robotics workshops and learn about a Coding Club to put STEM learning into practice.

CMU’s CS Academy is assisting in training on-ground instructors who will work

closely with S.Y.STEM Coalition.

Gioffre's volunteer work began at CEE, where she served as project manager for the university's Engineers Without Borders chapter.

“The CEE department was always very supportive of [my work] and gave me the room I needed to grow outside of my formal education. I'm thankful for being given the opportunity to learn both inside the classroom and out by the CEE department.”

Giving back to the community can be a fulfilling experience, according to Gioffre. "Whether someone is a yearround volunteer helping to organize events, or a weekend mentor for children, the opportunity to make a positive impact is truly amazing."

Learn more about S.Y.STEM Coalition by visiting systemcoalition.org

Clockwise from top left: Rohan Varma and Kim Kleiven with coding instructor who will lead programs for students in Zimbabwe; Angela Ng with a group of workshop students; Maddie Gioffre demonstrates solidering technique

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Presorted First Class Mail U.S. Postage PAID Pittsburgh, PAPermit #251

5000 Forbes Ave Porter Hall 119 Pittsburgh, PA 15213

DESIGN THE FUTURE

CEE Industry Partnership Program Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the world of Civil and Environmental Engineering?

Join the CEE Industry Partnership Program and connect your expertise with the brightest minds in the field. Together, we can build a better tomorrow.

As a part of our Industry Partnership Program, your company will gain direct access to the top candidates in each class. This exclusive opportunity enables you to recruit the most talented and driven engineers, ensuring a bright and innovative future for your organization.

But the benefits don't end there. As a corporate partner, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of CEE by equipping students with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in the competitive global market. You'll have a hand in molding the next generation of engineers, helping them find the perfect fit for their skills and aspirations.

For more information, contact Allison McLaughlin at amclachl@andrew.cmu.edu SPRING 2023