SoCEE is proud to announce that Meshach Ojo, a Ph.D. candidate in our program, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025–2026 Charles Pankow Foundation Fellowship, a distinguished award granted through the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Foundation. This national honor is reserved for students demonstrating exceptional potential to advance the field of concrete materials science and engineering.
The Charles Pankow Foundation Fellowship is among the most competitive awards offered by ACI. Following a rigorous selection process, including evaluation of research contributions and a formal interview round, only one student is chosen each year for this fellowship category. Meshach’s selection underscores both the quality of his research and his commitment to addressing critical real-world challenges in structural engineering.
As part of the fellowship, Meshach will receive a $10,000 educational stipend, mentorship from an industry leader, and sponsored attendance at two upcoming ACI Conventions—the Fall 2025 convention in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Spring 2026 convention in Chicago, Illinois. Additionally, he will be recognized in Concrete International magazine and featured on the ACI Foundation website for his contributions to the field.
Meshach’s research addresses a serious and ongoing issue affecting communities across the Northeastern United States and parts of Canada: crumbling concrete foundations caused by iron-sulfide-bearing aggregates, especially pyrrhotite. This phenomenon has compromised the structural integrity of thousands of homes, creating a widespread economic and safety crisis in regions such as Northeastern Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Quebec.
Check out this recent publication from the first phase of his research:
Driven by a passion to make a tangible difference in the lives of affected homeowners and communities, Meshach employs innovative electrochemical techniques to accelerate the deterioration of concrete in laboratory settings. This approach enables him to simulate the long-term effects of pyrrhotite-induced damage within a much shorter timeframe, offering valuable insights into how degradation occurs and progresses over time. By understanding these processes more deeply, Meshach’s work lays the foundation for evaluating and developing more effective mitigation strategies to combat this persistent issue.
Reflecting on the fellowship, Meshach offered this perspective:
“This award is a reminder of God’s grace and the power of perseverance. I am thankful for everyone who has supported me, and I hope this recognition encourages others to keep working faithfully toward the things that matter.”
Beyond his research achievements, Meshach’s humility, resilience, and dedication to his field exemplify the best of UConn’s commitment to engineering solutions for a better tomorrow. As the fellowship progresses, Meshach’s continued engagement with the ACI community will allow him to collaborate with leaders across the concrete industry, sharing knowledge and advancing innovations that directly impact infrastructure and public safety.
The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering extends its congratulations to Meshach Ojo on this well-earned recognition. We look forward to following his journey and sharing more updates as his work continues to make a difference. Stay tuned for additional highlights, including Meshach’s upcoming feature in Concrete International magazine and the ACI Foundation website!
Click here to learn more about the fellowship: acifoundation.org
