Awards

CU ��«��Ƶ faculty recognized for advancing environmental engineering

Jeff Zehnder — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:39:33 +0000

CU ��«��Ƶ faculty recognized for advancing environmental engineering Jeff Zehnder Tue, 01/14/2025 - 08:39

Two professors from CU ��«��Ƶ’s Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering have been honored by The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists through its 40 Under 40 Recognition Program.

Associate Professor Sherri Cook and Assistant Professor Cresten Mansfeldt were recognized as “talented individuals who have, either personally or as part of a team, been responsible for helping to advance the fields of environmental science or environmental engineering in a demonstrable way within the last 12 months,” according to the academy’s website.

Cook received her BS from Virginia Tech and her MSE and PhD from the University of Michigan. At CU ��«��Ƶ, she pioneered three courses that teach sustainability principles to students across disciplines. Her research focuses on sustainable solutions to global drinking water and sanitation challenges, aiming to improve treatment systems while minimizing risks to human health, the environment, and financial stability. Her research has included innovative technologies such as biochar-based micropollutant removal from wastewater and advancing zero-carbon bio-cement through her co-founded company, Prometheus.

Mansfeldt earned his PhD at Cornell University, after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota. He refined his expertise during a postdoctoral fellowship at Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology. Mansfeldt teaches courses on material flows, from microbial carbon cycling to urban waste management. His research focuses on the interplay between natural and built environments, emphasizing water reuse, the microbiome of built environments and the impacts of disasters, such as wildfires, on urban systems. Past projects include monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in campus wastewater, evaluating the risk of synthetic biology products and exploring the bioethics of biological innovations in environmental engineering. His current research examines contaminants from wildland-urban interfaces, tracking synthetic biology products in the environment and advancing water reuse.

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CU ��«��Ƶ environmental engineering undergrad program ranked #9 among public universities.

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 20:25:25 +0000

CU ��«��Ƶ environmental engineering undergrad program ranked #9 among public universities. Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/14/2022 - 14:25

The College of Engineering and Applied Science gained a spot U.S. News and World Report’s Best Undergraduate Engineering rankings this year, coming in at No. 17 among public institution peers.

Six degree programs in the college also earned top 20 spots among public universities in the engineering specialty rankings and Best Undergraduate Computer Science rankings:

Aerospace engineering sciences (No. 6)
Environmental engineering (No. 9)
Chemical engineering (No. 13)
Mechanical engineering (No. 15)
Civil engineering (No. 17)
Computer science (No. 19)

The rankings were released on the U.S. News and World Report website on Sept. 11. Undergraduate rankings are based on assessments of 1,500 U.S. bachelor's degree-granting institutions on 17 measures of academic quality, including graduation and retention rates, financial resources per students, and average alumni giving rate. Read more about their methodology.

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EVEN Students Claim Third Place at Geothermal Collegiate Competition

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 19:36:40 +0000

EVEN Students Claim Third Place at Geothermal Collegiate Competition Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/14/2022 - 13:36

Miles Salzer

A team of EVEN students recently took third place at the 2022 Geothermal Collegiate Competition.

The University of Colorado Team featured undergraduate students Calvin Malkoski, Natalie Alvarado, Alise Gladbach, Alex Martin, and Titus Ellison. Together, they designed a geothermal heat pump for the I Have a Dream Foundation of ��«��Ƶ County.

The pump is designed to lower natural gas emissions for heating during the winter months while also being able to act as an air conditioner during the warmer months. Their system can produce four times the energy required to run, making it a fantastic renewable resource.

The competition, sponsored by the Department of Energy, aims to prepare “students to scale up geothermal technologies in a way that prioritizes individual communities and their unique needs,” says Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Kelly Speakes-Backman. The event, hosted annually, hopes to inspire the next generation of geothermal technologies.

As part of their third-place finish, the team won $2,500 in funding for their design. In addition, ��«��Ƶ also received $10,000 for their ongoing support.

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CU student awarded prestigious Udall Scholarship for work in water resources

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:46:56 +0000

CU student awarded prestigious Udall Scholarship for work in water resources Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/14/2022 - 10:46

Beth Rossman, a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering, has been awarded a Udall Scholarship, becoming the 12th CU ��«��Ƶ student to be honored with the scholarship.

Rossman, who is from Littleton and is specializing in water resources and treatment with the goal of becoming a water resources engineer, is one of 55 students honored with the scholarship nationally in 2022. The scholarships are awarded to students who show a commitment to leadership, public service, the environment and Native American issues.

“To me, inequitable access to clean water around the world is one of the most pressing challenges we face, and this issue has a profound impact on both people and the natural world,” Rossman said. “Ultimately, my goal is to work toward solving the many water resources problems that are worsening as a result of climate change.”

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships of up to $7,000 each to college sophomores and juniors. This year’s scholars were selected out of 382 eligible candidates nominated by 181 colleges and universities.

“It’s exciting to see Beth recognized for her commitment to environmental equity through water resources engineering,” said Deborah Viles, director of the Office of Top Scholarships at CU ��«��Ƶ. “Beth says she hopes to bring the spirit of Morris and Stewart Udall into her career, and I believe she will do just that. Her success makes us all proud.”

Sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care should contact Viles at viles@colorado.edu for information on how to apply next year.

CU ��«��Ƶ Today chatted with Rossman about her time at CU ��«��Ƶ and plans for the future.

What are you up to this summer?

This summer I will be working as an engineering intern with Tacoma Water, which is a public utility that provides clean water to more than 300,000 people in Tacoma, Washington. I’m looking forward to this opportunity because I will be part of a team that works to provide crucial services to serve a community.

Why CU ��«��Ƶ?

I chose CU for its amazing environmental engineering program, as well as the opportunity to pursue a variety of hobbies, such as skiing, backpacking and music.

What do you do for fun?

Outside of school and work, I spend most of my time outdoors or making music. I am the music director of one of CU’s co-ed a capella groups, and I am also involved in the treble chorus. I love hiking, skiing and backpacking, and if I’m not out doing one of those things I’m typically planning my next big road trip.

Best part of going to CU ��«��Ƶ?

My favorite part about going to CU is the support I receive from my friends, coworkers and professors to pursue my goals, whether academic or just for fun. I’ve been able to pursue so many different dreams, from becoming an engineer to singing in a college a capella group. I also love that CU values sustainability as much as I do.

What’s next after college?

Once I graduate, I hope to pursue a master’s degree in hydrology or environmental engineering, and then pursue my professional engineer license.

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Three EVEN students earn CU Engineering Graduating Student Awards

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:07:23 +0000

Three EVEN students earn CU Engineering Graduating Student Awards Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/09/2021 - 13:07

Jeff Zehnder

Three December 2021 graduates of the Environmental Engineering Program are being recognized by the College of Engineering and Applied Science for their achievements.

Anthony Pimentel, Leah Rivera, and Bailey Vigil are each being honored for their efforts as undergraduate students. Each student and their award is highlighted below. You can also see the full list of honorees at the college of engineering Graduating Student Awards website.

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Campus pandemic team recognized with CU ��«��Ƶ award

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:49:18 +0000

Campus pandemic team recognized with CU ��«��Ƶ award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/11/2021 - 11:49

CU ��«��Ƶ’s Alumni Awards are recognizing a team of faculty and staff for their efforts on the COVID 19 pandemic.

Environmental engineering faculty members Cresten Mansfeldt and Shelly Miller are among a group of employees collectively referred to as the CU ��«��Ƶ Pandemic Scientific Steering Committee and Science Team (“The Team”) receiving a 2021 Robert L. Stearns Award.

The full list of honorees include Kristen Bjorkman (PhDBioChem’07), Gloria Brisson, Jose Jimenez, Mark Kavanaugh, Daniel Larremore (ApMath’09; PhD’12), Leslie Leinwand, Cresten Mansfeldt,Jennifer McDuffie, Matt McQueen (Psych’96), Shelly Miller,Roy Parker and Melanie Parra.

Most people will forever remember where they were in March 2020 as the world began to shut down. For many at CU ��«��Ƶ, an incredible haul of work instantly followed.

Like the COVID-19 virus, their tasks were new, momentous and immediate.

“I can think of no more difficult year than the one that began on March 13, 2020, and was dominated by COVID-19, its impact on our students, faculty and staff and our institutional response,” said CU ��«��Ƶ provost Russ Moore.

One group of faculty and staff — the CU ��«��Ƶ Pandemic Scientific Steering Committee and Science Team, or “The Team” — was set on determining how the university could remain operational during a pandemic.

“Without being asked, and in the true spirit of public service, the members of the Scientific Steering Committee and Science Team dropped what they were doing in order to develop the science and many of the associated operations that allowed our campus to successfully open and operate,” said Moore.

The Team consisted of Kristen Bjorkman, Gloria Brisson, Jose Jimenez, Mark Kavanaugh, Daniel Larremore, Leslie Leinwand, Cresten Mansfeldt, Jennifer McDuffie, Matt McQueen, Shelly Miller, Roy Parker and Melanie Parra. Their priority was the safety of the CU ��«��Ƶ community and beyond.

Their work was evident in every aspect of campus life.

They developed saliva- and wastewater-based SARS-CoV-2 screening tests to find both individual infections and larger outbreaks on campus. They created a contact tracing program that involved eager students and became one of the most responsive in the state. They helped design the HVAC systems that were installed throughout campus to reduce airborne disease transmission. They guided physical distancing and masking protocols. Most importantly, their solutions were grounded in science.

Their ideas and implementations were constant — sometimes happening from the hours of 2 to 4 a.m. or on weekends. The work is not done. Much of The Team’s scientific work will be studied, reviewed and published to help future crisis response practices.

In the words of the provost, speaking on behalf of thousands positively impacted by their work, “The Team’s dedication serves as an inspiration to us all.”

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Mozkke6GY]

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Three students make a splash with American Water Works Association scholarships

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 17:31:03 +0000

Three students make a splash with American Water Works Association scholarships Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 07/08/2021 - 11:31

A trio of ��«��Ƶ environmental engineering students have earned scholarships from the American Water Works Association.

PhD student Duong Nguyen and master’s students Nadia Jorgenson and Michael Hernandez have each earned 2021 scholarships from AWWA, a water industry non-profit.

Learn more about the honorees and their awards below:

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EVEN capstone design team shines at WERC Environmental Design Contest

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 21:00:22 +0000

EVEN capstone design team shines at WERC Environmental Design Contest Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/23/2021 - 15:00

Addy Stearns

BEHHT Insight’s overall process flow diagram for PFAS destruction.

Claire Butler, Jenna Engelken, Mahalie Hill, Rita Trick, and Shelby Tllema are team BEHTT Insight -- the name comes from their initials. They earned second place in the Task Award on PFAS Destruction, a $1,000 prize, as well as the WERC Resources Center Pollution Prevention/Energy Efficiency (P2E2) award, with a prize of $500.

Additionally, Butler received the Terry McManus Outstanding Student Award, with a prize of $1,000, after being nominated by Dr. Azadeh Bolhari.

The WERC Environmental Design Contest began in 1991 and awards over $30,000 in cash prizes for “solutions to engineering tasks by industry partners and government agencies.”

Teams could choose from five different task tracks, which had options for desktop studies or lab-based studies. The BEHTT Insight team chose to tackle the issue of destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), specifically targeting two chemicals under the PFAS umbrella, PFOA and PFOS through a desktop study, completing their design while being fully remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PFAS do not naturally degrade which has led to mass accumulation in the environment. While PFOA and PFOS have been voluntarily phasd out by the industry since 2015, the health effects of the PFAS already present in the environment can be linked to cancer, endocrine system disruptions, developmental issues, and lowered vaccine response. Current PFAS destruction strategies can be expensive, time consuming, energy intensive, and can give rise to harmful byproducts.

The task was sponsored by CDM Smith and proposed by the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility/US Bureau of Reclamation. The deliverables for the contest included an oral presentation, three poster sessions with teams of two judges, and an IEEE paper.

The BEHTT Insight design begins by pumping PFOA and PFOS contaminated groundwater and treating it off-site through reverse osmosis. Then, the concentrated PFOA and PFOS is passed through a biochar-filled column filter. The biochar is made from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste.

Ultimately, the biochar will be dried and mixed with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) before being heated to 850°C to catalyze the defluorination of PFOA and PFOS, effectively destroying them.

The treated biochar can then be used to prevent landfill leachate, in fertilizer, or in wastewater treatment. Using a cradle to grave approach, the BEHTT Insight design resulted in a treatment cost of $0.09 per gallon of water, which is significantly less than the current cost of $2.00 per gallon of water thermally treated.

Team members say they were drawn to this design competition for their capstone project because students are often left out of the conversation when tackling our world’s most pressing engineering issues.

Hill said their assessment of environmental impacts made the project stand out in the competition.

“The judges said they were really impressed that it was sustainable and that we put in the effort to make it cyclical. There’s a need for that in the engineering community,” Hill said.

The team worked well together throughout the process, and Engelken said their efforts shined at WERC.

“Because we’re a team of five awesome, intelligent, and amazing women engineers, we’re able to create projects that are more creative that add to things that other teams may completely miss,” Engelken said. “We’re able to create things beyond science with a capital 'S'.”

With graduation just around the corner, the BEHTT Insight team is undoubtedly more prepared to enter the “real world” after their experience and success through the WERC Environmental Design Contest.

Congratulations Claire Butler, Jenna Engelken, Mahalie Hill, Rita Trick, and Shelby Tillema on BEHTT Insight’s well-deserved awards!

A team of senior Environmental Engineering students have won three awards for their design work on PFOA and PFOS destruction at the Waste Management Education Research Conference (WERC) Environmental Design Contest. The contest began in 1991 and awards over $30,000 in cash prizes for “solutions to engineering tasks by industry partners and government agencies.”

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PhD student Kimberly Pugel Honored as 2021 New Face of Civil Engineering by ASCE

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 16:47:32 +0000

PhD student Kimberly Pugel Honored as 2021 New Face of Civil Engineering by ASCE Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 02/22/2021 - 09:47

ASCE has honored Kimberly Pugel as a 2021 New Face of Civil Engineering. Pugel’s work combines environmental engineering, planning, policymaking, and a heavy dose of communication skills, particularly as it relates to facilitating communication between stakeholders and decision-makers.

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EVEN student honored as Outstanding Undergraduate for Service

Anonymous — Fri, 08 May 2020 14:32:09 +0000

EVEN student honored as Outstanding Undergraduate for Service Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/08/2020 - 08:32

For environmental engineering major Selena Hinojos, graduating from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences is more than just a personal accomplishment.

“This represents the accomplishments of my parents and supporters along my journey,” she said. “Being a first-generation student, it was my personal duty to do everything my parents never had the chance to do.”

Hinojos paid forward that support many times over in service to her fellow students during her time at CU ��«��Ƶ, earning her a College of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Undergraduate for Service award for spring 2020.

“It was an honor to be chosen as an Outstanding Graduate for Service,” she said. “This award symbolizes the collective time and energy I put into my passions, but overall this award symbolizes the various experiences and opportunities that I am grateful to have been a part of.”

During her time at CU, Hinojos served as a GoldShirt Scholar, supporting the academic success of younger engineering students. As a mentor and Academic Lead Mentor with GoldShirt, she helped welcome and support two new classes of GoldShirt Scholars through their Summer Bridge Program and first academic year. She was also a resident advisor in Aden Hall and the Engineering Quad Living & Learning Community, where GoldShirt scholars and CU Engineering students reside.

Hinojos also worked as an Engineering Ambassador and was involved with the Society of Women Engineers and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

“The greatest lesson I learned from my time at CU ��«��Ƶ is that it doesn't matter what background and experience you have coming into a situation. It is about the grit and passion you have to finish and be better and do better,” she said.

To get the most out of college, Hinojos encourages all students to take a step outside of their comfort zones.

“Based on what I now know, the best piece of advice for other students is to be comfortable with uncomfortable situations, as these experiences allow for the most self-growth and success in your personal and academic life,” she said.

Following graduation, Hinojos will attend Penn State University to pursue a PhD in civil engineering with a water resource focus. To support her studies, she earned Penn State’s Bunton-Waller Assistantship and the Robert W. Graham Endowed Graduate Fellowship.

She got a taste of being a researcher during undergraduate research experiences in Assistant Professor Sherri Cook’s research lab and the Urban Water Innovation Network at CSU.

“I will be investigating the ethical implications of connected critical infrastructure in the food-energy-water nexus,” she said. “From there, I hope to further immerse myself in research centered around climate change and creating a sustainable future.”

Environmental Engineering graduating student Selena Hinojos honored Outstanding Undergraduate for Service by the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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Awards

CU ��«����Ƶ faculty recognized for advancing environmental engineering

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CU ��«����Ƶ environmental engineering undergrad program ranked #9 among public universities.

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EVEN Students Claim Third Place at Geothermal Collegiate Competition

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CU student awarded prestigious Udall Scholarship for work in water resources

What are you up to this summer?

Why CU ��«����Ƶ?

What do you do for fun?

Best part of going to CU ��«����Ƶ?

What’s next after college?

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Three EVEN students earn CU Engineering Graduating Student Awards

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Campus pandemic team recognized with CU ��«����Ƶ award

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Three students make a splash with American Water Works Association scholarships

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EVEN capstone design team shines at WERC Environmental Design Contest

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PhD student Kimberly Pugel Honored as 2021 New Face of Civil Engineering by ASCE

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EVEN student honored as Outstanding Undergraduate for Service

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CU ��«��Ƶ faculty recognized for advancing environmental engineering

CU ��«��Ƶ environmental engineering undergrad program ranked #9 among public universities.

Why CU ��«��Ƶ?

Best part of going to CU ��«��Ƶ?

Campus pandemic team recognized with CU ��«��Ƶ award