I am deeply honored to receive the Finishing Fellowship from the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel at Michigan Technological University. I sincerely thank the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering for its academic support throughout my doctoral journey. I am especially grateful to my advisor, Dr. Zhanping You, for his continuous guidance, encouragement, and mentorship during my Ph.D. program. I also extend my appreciation to my committee members, collaborators, and colleagues for their valuable feedback and support in both research and professional development.
I have had the privilege of conducting research on sustainable pavement materials, with a particular focus on crumb rubber-modified asphalt, asphalt mixture design, and pavement performance evaluation. My work aims to promote more durable, environmentally responsible transportation infrastructure by advancing the use of recycled tire rubber in asphalt. Through laboratory testing, material characterization, and performance analysis, I seek to better understand the behavior of asphalt binders and mixtures and to support practical solutions for more sustainable pavement engineering.
Throughout my doctoral program, I have also contributed through mentoring, laboratory support, and collaborative project work, which have helped me grow as both a researcher and a team member.
This fellowship provides meaningful support as I complete my dissertation and prepare for the next stage of my academic career. I am sincerely grateful for this recognition, and I look forward to continuing to contribute through research, collaboration, and service in the field of sustainable infrastructure.
