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.