Archives: Monthly Archives: February 2020

Dr. Ramesh Malla Elected to Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering

Dr. Ramesh Malla has been elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) for “pioneering contributions to orbital structures, lunar habitats, planetary drilling devices and space life support, and for multidisciplinary research and education in civil and aerospace engineering by establishing NASA/Connecticut Space Grant Consortium, and a leading role in NASA Resilient Extraterrestrial Habitats Institute and U.S. DOT UTC on regional transportation infrastructure.”

Dr. Malla’s research areas include structural engineering; applied mechanics; finite element analysis; dynamics and vibration of structures encompassing space/orbital/lunar structures, habitats, and drilling devices for moon and Mars; water processing beds for space life support; renewable energy harvesting mechanisms; highway/railroad bridges; pavement joints/subgrade modulus; infrastructure monitoring using fiber optic sensors; and progressive failure of structures.

Read the full article at UConn Today.

 

CEE Predoctoral Fellows Announced

Predoctoral Fellows pose for a photo with certificates.


The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is proud to present the 2019 Predoctoral Fellowships. The fellowships are awarded to advanced graduate students for achieving academic excellence in the doctoral program.

The awardees this year are: Rehenuma Lazin (ENVE), Md-Julfiker Hossain (TUE), Asadul Hoque Tanvir (TUE), Xiaolong Ma (STAM), Fahad Khadim (ENVE), Asmita Rokaya (STAM; not pictured), Dongping Zhu (STAM; not pictured).

New CEE Initiative Focuses on Neurodiversity

Illustration of several individuals with different thinking styles. Profiles of individuals shows inner workings of the brain portrayed as puzzle pieces, a linear graph, paint splatters, and flowers.

Five researchers in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are beginning work on a 5-year project that aims to improve the learning environment for neurodiverse students. (Getty Images)


Department Head Maria Chrysochoou, along with several collaborators —CEE Professor Amvrossios Bagtzoglou and CEE Associate Professors Arash Zaghi, Nicholas Lownes, Tim Vadas, NEAG Associate Professor Rachael Gabriel, and CETL Director Peter Diplock —are hoping to be part of a cultural shift that values the contributions of neurodiverse individuals. The focus of this National Science Foundation-funded project is creating an inclusive learning environment for neurodivergent students, such as students on the autism spectrum, or those with ADHD, anxiety, or dyslexia.

Read the full article at UConn Today.

Opportunities in Undergraduate Research

We’re accepting applications for Undergraduate Research Assistantships. Apply by March 31, 2020!

CEE Welcomes New Advisory Board Members

UConn CEE is thrilled to welcome three outstanding UConn alumni to our Industrial Advisory Board! Our new members will join the community of engineering professionals that meets annually with the department leadership. We look forward to working with them over the next few years! 

Portrait of Tauhirah Abdul Matin.

Tauhirah Abdul-Matin, P.E.

"I'm excited to serve! Thank you for the opportunity!"

Ms. Abdul-Matin is the Remediation Department Manager in AECOM’s Connecticut Office and a Connecticut Professional Engineer with over 12 years of environmental consulting experience. She is responsible for over 20 staff in Connecticut and Rhode Island. 

Ms. Abdul-Matin is focused on driving operational efficiency, safety, and delivery of quality services to clients. She manages staff in areas of environmental services including:  site assessment, remediation, brownfields redevelopment, wetlands protection, stormwater, and environmental regulatory compliance at the federal, state, and local level.

Ms. Abdul-Matin's technical area of expertise is remediation. She has experience in planning, implementing, and managing environmental investigation and remediation at industrial sites, brownfields, and throughout the northeastern United States. 

Tauhirah received a BS in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an MBA from the University of Connecticut.


Portrait of Sebastian Amenta

Sebastian Amenta, P.E.

"I'm very excited about joining the CEE Advisory Board and having the opportunity to provide a positive impact on UConn engineering students."

Throughout his 40-year career Mr. Amenta has upheld the goals of Civil Engineering in providing quality and thoughtful engineering solutions that improve the health and welfare of the community.

His projects have provided for high quality drinking water to thousands of consumers, the enhanced treatment of and reduction of wastewater discharges, and the cleanup and reuse of contaminated brownfield sites, the rehabilitation of numerous dams to protect the community from flood risk and enhance water supply safe yield.

He was in the forefront of the first Water Diversion Permit which was adjudicated by DEP and which set the standard for the future regulatory framework for protection of CT streams and water bodies.

He has been involved in numerous Public/Private Partnerships (P3) to deliver infrastructure projects at a reduce cost to consumers.

Sebastian received a BS in Civil Engineering, an MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Connecticut, and also received an Advanced Engineering Certificate in Environmental Engineering from the University of Hartford.


Portrait of Damayanti Chaudhuri

Damayanti Chaudhuri, P.E.

“I am truly excited to be part of the CEE Advisory Board and looking forward to giving back to my alma mater through this engagement. I hope that I will be able to bring in new perspectives to the board with my unique experience.”

Damayanti is the structural lead of the SMEP division at Loureiro Engineering Associates. A Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New York, she has over 13 years of experience in the field of structural engineering.

Damayanti’s expertise includes performing structural analysis, design and advanced studies of high rise buildings and long span structures using finite element models, coordinating design activities with architects and engineers, preparing design documents based on National and International Codes, and leading staff in delivering high quality structural drawings and BIM models using AutoCAD and REVIT.

Damayanti has been published in multiple structural magazines, served on code committees for ASCE 7 and New York City Building Code, as well as volunteered for STEM organizations such as ACE Mentor Program. She was among the winners of ENR New York’s Top 20 under 40 competition for her career and industry leadership.

Damayanti has an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Jadavpur University, India


Study Abroad Opportunity: Zurich

Professors Norman Garrick and Carol Atkinson Palombo are pleased to announce a study abroad opportunity focused on sustainable cities. The program will be held in the summer of 2020 in Zurich, Switzerland. Enrollment is open to students from all majors.

For more information, please visit: https://sustainablecities.uconn.edu or download the flyer.