Tag: Civil Engineering

I would like to thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean’s Advisory Panel for their support through this fellowship. I am a Ph.D. candidate in Civil Engineering at Michigan Technological University. My research focuses on rubber-modified asphalt materials for sustainable pavement design, with an emphasis on improving pavement performance and resilience under cold and wet-freezing conditions.

During my Ph.D. study, I have worked on multiple projects supported by state transportation agencies and county road commissions, involving both laboratory research and field implementation. My work focuses on developing high-rubber-content asphalt materials to enhance pavement durability, sustainability, and resilience to climate-related environmental conditions.

My research has been disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications and presentations at conferences such as the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting. It investigates the performance and aging behavior of treated crumb rubber-modified asphalt and provides practical guidance for material selection and implementation.

In addition to research, I have contributed to collaborative projects, proposal development, and field testing with agency and industry partners. I am grateful for the support of my advisor, Dr. Zhanping You, and my collaborators throughout my Ph.D. This fellowship will allow me to focus on completing my dissertation and preparing for the next stage of my career.

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.

“I am honored to receive the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship Award from the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel. I extend my gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Zhanping You, for his guidance and support, as well as to the faculty and staff of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering.

My research focuses on analyzing the effects of aging on asphalt binder performance by characterizing the chemical properties and mechanical performance of recycled rubber asphalt binder and mixtures. In the United States, approximately 300 million waste tires are produced each year, and these tires are non-biodegradable. Utilizing waste tires in asphalt pavement offers an environmentally sustainable solution for their disposal.

During my time at Michigan Tech, I have had numerous opportunities to develop my leadership and academic skills. I have served as a graduate student government representative for my department, volunteered as a facilitator for Orientation to Graduate Studies and Research, and instructed Prep4Tech, a math course designed for incoming engineering students at Michigan Technological University.

As I approach the final stages of my time at Michigan Tech, I am truly grateful for this fellowship. It will provide essential support in completing my research and advancing my career. I am looking forward to applying the knowledge gained at Michigan Tech in the field of asphalt pavement research.”

I am deeply honored to receive the Finishing Fellowship Award from the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean’s Advisory Panel, which provides the dedicated time and support needed to complete the final stages of my PhD in Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering. I am sincerely grateful to my department, my advisors, and the faculty collaborators I have worked with for their unwavering support and guidance throughout my journey at Michigan Tech. Being part of a department with a strong spirit of innovation and collaboration has made this experience especially fulfilling and has continually inspired me to tackle complex problems with confidence.

My research focuses on advancing intelligent transportation systems. I have worked on developing drone-based (UAV) traffic monitoring approaches, building graph neural network models for real-time traffic forecasting, and exploring cooperative adaptive cruise control strategies aimed at maintaining string stability to ensure a smooth, safe flow of connected vehicles without amplifying disturbances. Engaging in these research tasks has been both challenging and rewarding, allowing me to explore how emerging technologies like drones and AI can make transportation systems safer and more efficient.

I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities and encouragement provided by the Finishing Fellowship and the broader academic community, which have been instrumental in my growth and development as a researcher. As I approach the completion of my PhD, I look forward to transitioning into industry, where I hope to apply the knowledge and skills I have gained at Michigan Tech to real-world transportation challenges.

As a PhD candidate in civil engineering, my research focuses on water resources engineering, with an emphasis on urban green space and rainfall flood risk equity. My work addresses critical challenges in the Great Lakes region, including the impacts of urban flooding and the role of green infrastructure in promoting urban sustainability and resilience. To assess urban green space and rainfall flood risk, I used high-resolution topography and land cover data, geospatial analysis methods, and socioeconomic datasets to develop comprehensive urban green space and flood risk equity maps. By identifying spatial patterns of flood vulnerability and green space distribution, my research highlights areas where targeted interventions can have the most significant impact. This approach aims to reduce inequalities, build community resilience, and enhance urban health and well-being—especially as extreme weather events become more frequent. These projects deepened my understanding of geospatial and hydrological systems while fostering an awareness of how environmental challenges intersect with social equity.