Dr. Shahrzad Roshankhah receives NSF CAREER Award to decode the science of rock slope failures

Rock slope failures may seem like remote geologic events, but their impacts are anything but isolated — threatening lives, damaging infrastructure, and disrupting entire economies. Understanding what causes these catastrophic events is a challenge at the heart of geotechnical engineering, and one Shahrzad Roshankhah is tackling head-on.

In June of 2025, Dr. Roshankhah was awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award—one of the most competitive and prestigious honors given by the NSF to early-career faculty—to advance her research in rock slope failures.

With $672,212 in funding, Dr. Roshankhah’s research will take on the longstanding challenges in predicting the stability of jointed rock slopes — steep terrains composed of solid rock intersected by natural fractures. These systems are notoriously complex, and traditional models often fall short by oversimplifying how different rock components contribute to failure. This can lead to overly optimistic safety assessments and insufficient risk mitigation strategies.

Dr. Roshankhah’s project aims to change that.

Her work seeks to uncover how the distinct mechanical and hydraulic properties of the rock matrix and natural fractures — along with their rates of strength degradation — affect the likelihood and progression of slope failure. By combining laboratory experiments with advanced numerical modeling, her team will investigate fracture evolution and failure mechanisms across multiple scales.

In a novel experimental setup, 3D-printed rock blocks made from metal-ceramic composites will be assembled into scaled jointed rock slopes. These models will be tested under simulated gravity using strong magnetic fields and monitored using cutting-edge techniques like digital image correlation and acoustic emission measurements. Meanwhile, hybrid numerical models will be developed and validated to simulate real-world failure scenarios, predicting not only if a slope will fail, but also how much material will collapse, how fast it will move, and how far it might travel.

Roshankhah’s research group 3D-prints model rock blocks, which are then subjected to scaled-down forces.

The outcomes of this research are expected to improve predictive models for slope failure, inform infrastructure planning in mountainous regions, and advance the state of the art in rock mechanics and slope stability analysis.

But the impact of this project extends well beyond the lab.

“Understanding how and why rock slopes fail isn’t just about geology — it’s about protecting lives, building safer infrastructure, and inspiring the next generation of engineers.”

True to the spirit of the NSF CAREER program, Dr. Roshankhah is also building an ambitious STEM outreach plan to engage learners of all ages. From hands-on activities with high school students and Youth-in-Custody programs, to educational materials for visitors at natural history museums and national parks, her project aims to make geotechnical engineering more accessible and inspiring. Participating undergraduate and graduate students will gain valuable science communication experience as they design and deliver these educational tools.

These broader efforts will be evaluated not only for their effectiveness in increasing public understanding of engineering, but also for their ability to boost enrollment in regional civil engineering programs and encourage greater participation in STEM fields.

This award reflects NSF’s commitment to advancing both the intellectual merit and broader impacts of engineering research — and we couldn’t be more proud to see Dr. Roshankhah leading that charge.

$1.5M Odometry Lab Positions Utah as a Leader in Safer, Smarter Rail Systems

The University of Utah is taking a leading role in advancing smart mobility and rail safety with the launch of a new $1.5 million Odometry Lab, funded by the Utah Legislature in 2025. Led by CvEEN faculty Drs. Cathy Liu, Xuan (Peter) Zhu, and Chenxi Liu, the lab is a cross-disciplinary collaboration that unites engineering faculty, students, and industry partners in shaping the future of rail transit.

Developed with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and Stadler Signaling North America, the Odometry Lab will serve as a testbed for next-generation Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) systems—state-of-the-art signaling designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability. Proof-of-concept demonstrations will take place on UTA’s light rail network using an S70 vehicle equipped with new onboard and wayside sensors, integrated with UTA’s private 5G network, and tested in real-world conditions.

“The Odometry Lab represents a unique opportunity for Utah to lead in advancing rail safety and smart mobility,” said Dr. Cathy Liu. “By working hand-in-hand with UTA and Stadler, we’re not only developing next-generation transit technologies but also preparing our students to become the future leaders of this rapidly evolving field.”

Beyond research and innovation, the Odometry Lab is poised to become a hub for rail excellence and workforce development. By offering hands-on experience with advanced transit technologies, the lab will prepare Utah’s next generation of engineers to lead in a rapidly growing transportation sector.

Dr. Romero inspires future engineers to design with both durability and the environment in mind—ensuring that every mile of progress leaves a lighter footprint.

For more than two decades, Dr. Pedro Romero has been a cornerstone of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CvEEN). Known for his approachable teaching style and his passion for sustainable construction materials, pavement design, and durable infrastructure, Dr. Romero has helped shape the next generation of engineers while advancing research that directly impacts Utah’s infrastructure.

Bridging Academia and Industry

Dr. Romero’s research focuses on the use of materials in civil engineering applications—including asphalt, concrete, and composites—with a particular interest in how material properties influence the durability of structures. His work doesn’t just remain in the classroom or laboratory; it makes its way onto Utah’s roads.

That connection between theory and practice has been recognized by both construction companies and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), representing his impact across multiple industries. In 2024, Romero was presented the Friend of the Industry Award by the Utah Asphalt Paving Association. The distinction recognized his advancement of policies and initiatives that have not only improved quality and safety but also reduced costs. Additionally, UDOT awarded him the Trailblazer Award in 2017 for his excellence in applicable transportation research.

By actively applying his academic research to the local industrial landscape, Dr. Romero is enhancing transportation infrastructure of communities throughout Utah, making life better for the traveling public.

An Advocate for Sustainability, One Student at a Time

Students can always tell when Dr. Romero is on campus—the giveaway is his bike, parked right outside his office door. His choice to bike to work is more than a habit; it’s a reflection of his commitment to sustainability, a value that extends deeply into his teaching and research.

In his Construction Materials Lab, Dr. Romero mentors his Ph.D. students as they develop innovative materials designed to reduce CO₂ emissions and provide more sustainable alternatives to traditional construction practices. His group is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in environmentally responsible engineering, from developing recycled construction materials and reducing waste in our landfills to working towards the lowest CO₂ footprint possible in modern construction practices.

For Dr. Romero, being environmentally conscious isn’t just a personal lifestyle—it’s a professional mission. By guiding the next generation of engineers toward greener solutions, he ensures that his impact will be felt long after his students leave the classroom.

Beyond his own courses, Dr. Romero has been instrumental in curriculum reform, ensuring that CvEEN students graduate with the most up-to-date education possible. As the department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies, he is constantly looking for ways to help struggling students progress towards their degree. His leadership in maintaining ABET accreditation underscores his commitment to both academic excellence and real-world readiness.

Ask any student, and they’ll tell you Dr. Romero cares deeply about their success. He often reminds students to “find balance in your life”—advice he practices himself.

Recently, Dr. Romero took his own advice to heart. A proud Penn State engineering Ph.D. alum, he traveled across the country to attend the high-stakes Penn State vs. Oregon game—a long-overdue return to the energy of Beaver Stadium. While he soaked in the moment, he was right back in Utah by Monday morning, ready to teach class (with just a little jet lag to show for it).