The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering proudly celebrates the achievements of our undergraduate students who showcased their capstone work at the annual Senior Design Demonstration Day on May 2, 2025. This culminating event highlights a year of collaboration, research, and innovation as students tackle real-world engineering challenges alongside industry sponsors.

Outstanding projects were recognized across the Civil Engineering (CE) and Environmental Engineering (ENVE) tracks. Below are the winning teams, whose work exemplifies the excellence and impact of a UConn engineering education.

Civil Engineering Awards

First Place: CE09 – New Single-Story Retail Building

Sponsored by E2 Engineers
Team Members: Elizabeth Doyle, Caroline Insinna, Sophia Klaboe, Amina Redzovic

This team designed a steel-framed single-story retail building supported by a concrete foundation and lateral load-resisting system. Using finite element analysis software, they optimized the structural steel design, verified component performance through hand calculations, and developed a full set of construction drawings. The project also included carbon emissions analysis and proposed strategies for reducing the environmental footprint of the building.

Civil Engineering Team 09

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Second Place: CE02 – Intersection Improvements at Route 6 and Route 61

Sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Transportation
Team Members: Kristen Daddi, Ethan Peck, Priscilla Sawyer, Austin St. Cyr

To address the high number of angle crashes at a hazardous curve in Woodbury, CT, this team developed two proposed redesigns for the intersection: a modern single-lane roundabout to promote traffic calming and improve visibility, and a signalized intersection as an alternative solution. Their work balanced public safety, transportation engineering principles, and feasibility considerations.

Civil Engineering Team 02

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Third Place: CE11 – Beacon Falls Railroad Station Platform Upgrade

Sponsored by HDR
Team Members: Matthew Barber, Lea Brinton, Alexander Foster, Quinn Havard

Focusing on accessibility and transit improvements, this project involved a preliminary design for a high-level platform at the Beacon Falls rail station. The team developed 15% design plans for the track realignment, a 350-foot platform with canopy, and related station site work, including upgrades to parking and pedestrian access.

Civil Engineering Team 11

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Environmental Engineering Awards

First Place: ENVE05 – Nitrogen Removal at York Wastewater Treatment Facility

Sponsored by Arcadis
Team Members: Ethan Esposito, Julia Horlitz, Jeffrey Valentine

With nitrogen discharge limits tightening under NPDES regulations, this team proposed upgrades to optimize nutrient removal at the York WWTF in York, ME. Drawing on best practices from Metcalf & Eddy and TR-16 design guides, they re-evaluated the aeration process to ensure compliance while minimizing environmental impact, with the goal of achieving effluent nitrogen concentrations below 8 mg/L.

Environmental Engineering Team 05

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Second Place: ENVE06 – Optimization of Water Quality in Waterford, CT

Sponsored by Wright-Pierce
Team Members: Julia Braithwaite, Lily Johnson, Cody Voorhies, Suki Zheng

Tasked with resolving disinfection byproduct violations and chlorine residual decay in a public water system, the team developed and modeled solutions to improve distribution system quality. Their design combined a strategic water main flushing program and active tank mixing with THM removal, informed by a custom-built hydraulic model of the affected zone.

Environmental Engineering Team 06

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Third Place: ENVE04 – Synthetic Alternative to ASTM C-33 Sand

Sponsored by Eljen
Team Members: Kateryna Pekar, Grace Shvodian
In collaboration with Mechanical Engineering Team 18

In response to growing demand and decreasing availability of ASTM C-33 sand, this project explored synthetic alternatives for use in the Eljen Geotextile Sand Filter (GSF) system. Drawing inspiration from UConn’s early geotextile research in the 1970s, the team evaluated materials such as recycled glass and non-woven fabrics to replicate filtration performance and improve long-term feasibility for onsite wastewater systems.

Environmental Engineering Team 04

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Congratulations to all teams for their exceptional work and dedication!

These projects represent the creativity, rigor, and real-world impact that define the SoCEE undergraduate experience. We extend our thanks to all faculty advisors, sponsors, and judges who made this year’s Senior Design program a success.

To view the full list of 2025 Senior Design projects, visit seniordesignday.engr.uconn.edu.