The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering was proud to host Dr. David Sanders, Greenwood Department Chair and Professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at Iowa State University, for a seminar on September 5, 2025. His talk, titled “Where is Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Research Headed?”, drew a standing-room-only crowd in the Layton Auditorium, with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates filling the space.

Dr. Sanders’ presentation offered a wide-ranging overview of the most pressing and promising research directions in the field. He emphasized how emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data are reshaping the way engineers approach infrastructure challenges, while advances in innovative materials, sensors, and smart systems are opening new possibilities for efficiency and resilience. He also underscored the critical importance of ensuring clean water supplies, reducing hazards from extreme events, and developing more effective strategies for soil remediation. All of these efforts, he noted, contribute to building more sustainable systems for the future.

“It is an exciting time to be involved in civil, construction and environmental engineering,” Sanders noted, underscoring both the challenges and opportunities ahead for researchers and practitioners.

The event was part of CvEEN’s Distinguished Seminar Series, which brings leading experts to campus to share insights on cutting-edge research and industry trends. The strong turnout underscored both the importance of these topics and the enthusiasm within the department for advancing the frontiers of civil and environmental engineering.

Dr. David Sanders presenting at the University of Utah.

CvEEN Ph.D. Student Shouzheng Pan has won ITE’s Daniel B. Fambro Student Paper Award—a rare achievement he shares with his advisor

The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is proud to congratulate Ph.D. candidate Shouzheng Pan on receiving the 2025 Daniel B. Fambro Student Paper Award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). This national recognition is presented to just one student each year across all ITE districts, making it one of the most competitive and prestigious student honors in the field.

Shouzheng’s award-winning paper first earned distinction at the ITE Mountain District before advancing to the national competition. He was officially recognized at the 2025 ITE Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, where more than 1,500 transportation professionals gathered to celebrate research and innovation in the field.

“The Daniel B. Fambro Student Paper Award is given to only one student each year across all ITE districts nationwide, and the competition is extremely tough. I received this award as a Ph.D. student at the University of Washington about 12 years ago, so I truly understand how meaningful this recognition is,” said Dr. Cathy Liu, Shouzheng’s advisor.

For Shouzheng, the award is both a professional honor and a reflection of the support he has received during his time at the University of Utah.

“I’m very grateful for the department’s support, from providing funding to attend conferences to featuring my work in departmental news; it has made a meaningful difference. I’m also especially thankful to my advisor, Prof. Cathy Liu, for her encouragement and thoughtful guidance throughout the application process,” said Shouzheng Pan.

This achievement highlights not only Shouzheng’s innovative research but also the department’s strong tradition of mentorship and excellence in transportation engineering. Please join us in congratulating Shouzheng on this outstanding national recognition!