Faculty News

As Colorado schools get hotter, air conditioning is still out of reach for some

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 15:22:53 +0000

As Colorado schools get hotter, air conditioning is still out of reach for some Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/31/2022 - 09:22

Paul Chinowsky is interviewed in a new Colorado Sun feature on obstacles to air conditioning in schools.

The article discusses how schools are handling the growing need for cooler temperatures in K-12 buildings.

Chinowsky, an emeritus professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering and director of the Environmental Design Program, is an expert on climate and infrastructure.

Read the full article at the Colorado Sun...

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Chinowsky discusses seawall barriers with RollCall

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 15:57:55 +0000

Chinowsky discusses seawall barriers with RollCall Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/29/2022 - 09:57

Professor Paul Chinowsky discusses a push to expand seawalls in an interview with Roll Call.

The piece highlights funding from the federal government to build barriers to hold back ocean surges in the face of climate challenges.

Chinowsky, an emeritus professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, is an expert on climate and infrastructure.

Read the full article at Roll Call...

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Welcoming two new faculty to CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:14:41 +0000

Welcoming two new faculty to CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/26/2022 - 11:14

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder is welcoming two new faculty members for the 2022-2023 academic year. Meet the team and see why we're excited about these talented new hires:

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Drought is a global health crisis — capitalism could be a surprising solution

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 22:22:51 +0000

Drought is a global health crisis — capitalism could be a surprising solution Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/02/2022 - 16:22

Evan Thomas discusses the possibilities of using carbon offset markets to address water scarcity in a new column in Harvard Public Health.

Thomas, an associate professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering and director the Mortenson Center in Global Engineering, is an expert in water and air testing and treatment in developing communities.

The column discusses market-based approaches to curb water use in the American West as a way to mitigate ongoing droughts that are depleting reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

Read the column at Harvard Public Health...

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CEAE assistant professor Kyri Baker recognized for excellence in teaching

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 21:22:32 +0000

CEAE assistant professor Kyri Baker recognized for excellence in teaching Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 07/07/2022 - 15:22

Jeff Zehnder

Kyri Baker has been honored with the John and Mercedes Peebles Innovation in Education Award from the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

The award recognizes CU Engineering faculty who have shown a unique commitment to students demonstrated through innovations in education.

Baker, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, joined CU Boulder in 2017.

“I consider teaching one of the most important and meaningful parts of my job, and one aspect that I truly enjoy and look forward to,” Baker said. “I've worked really hard on trying to figure out simple and straightforward ways of describing basic concepts. If possible, I try to relate concepts to things that students may interact with in their daily lives, so the material seems more tangible to them.”

�鶹��Ժ nominate faculty for the Peebles award and the nomination comments for Baker highlight her drive, ability to build connections with the course materials, and sense of humor:

"This faculty member constantly goes above and beyond by constantly making class something that I truly look forward to. Her work ethic is phenomenal, and she goes above and beyond with being a good resource along with a good instructor.”

“One of the most engaging classes I have ever had was taught by Dr. Baker. She made me learn a lot on a subject I was not very confident at, but with her teaching style I managed to pull through the course – which was circuits – and be very confident in that subject.”

“By far the only professor I had I where I never wanted to skip class and would always go to her class because it’s always fun. And I’m glad to say that I have never missed a class yet. She is very funny and always tries to light the class up and really treat the class like its family.”

Baker has also been recognized for her outstanding research. In 2021, she received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and CEAE Early Career Researcher Award. Her work focuses on power systems and smart grids, particularly how advanced controls and optimization methods can help integrate renewable electric generation.

The Peebles Award was endowed by John and Mercedes Peebles. John Peebles is a 1985 recipient of the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award and former chair of the college's Engineering Development Council.

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Chinowsky talks air conditioning and climate with the Denver Post

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 15:51:02 +0000

Chinowsky talks air conditioning and climate with the Denver Post Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/27/2022 - 09:51

Professor Paul Chinowsky discusses the growing importance of air conditioning along the Front Range in a new article in the Denver Post.

The article highlights the impact of increasing temperatures for Denver residents and how they are coping.

Chinowsky, a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering and director of the Environmental Design Program, conducts research on climate and infrastructure.

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Video: Pioneering resilient infrastructure in the wake of earthquakes and climate-related natural disasters

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 15:14:15 +0000

Video: Pioneering resilient infrastructure in the wake of earthquakes and climate-related natural disasters Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/27/2022 - 09:14

Engineering a sustainable and equitable future takes innovation and collaboration.

Shideh Dashti is the Acting Associate Dean of Research at CU Boulder's College of Engineering & Applied Science, as well as an Associate Professor in the Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department.

Dean Dashti's research is specifically focused on geotechnical engineering, centrifuge modeling, and designing resilient infrastructure in the wake of earthquakes and climate-related natural disasters.

Shideh is also a Co-Director of the College's Center for Infrastructure, Energy and Space Testing (CIEST), as well as the Director RISE - an interdisciplinary research collaboration at CU Boulder to explore the intersection of resilient infrastructure, sustainability, and equity.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUww6HOz8A8]

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Senseney interviewed by Denver Post on major I-70 project

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 16:07:51 +0000

Senseney interviewed by Denver Post on major I-70 project Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/01/2022 - 10:07

Christopher Senseney spoke to the Denver Post in a new article focusing on cost pressures for the I-70 Floyd Hill project.

Senseney, an associate teaching professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, is an expert on construction engineering and project delivery.

The I-70 project, slated to cost at least $700 million, is designed to tackle bottlenecks on the interstate in the mountains west of Denver. Rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages are driving concerns that costs could grow. A new "rough estimate" by the project contractor pegged the cost at $800 million.

Read the article at the Denver Post...

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Morris discusses Marshall Fire, rebuilding on Concrete Credentials Podcast

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 22:36:55 +0000

Morris discusses Marshall Fire, rebuilding on Concrete Credentials Podcast Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/27/2022 - 16:36

Associate Teaching Professor Matt Morris is featured in the latest episode of the Concrete Credentials Podcast.

Morris shares his personal experience of the Marshall Fire, which destroyed his family home in Superior along with the homes of thousands of Coloradans.

He discusses how the wildfire could impact construction strategies, how insulated concrete forms play a role in building non-combustible structures, and how to plan for safer homes in the future.

Listen to Concrete Credentials...

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Dashti selected as Acting Associate Dean for Research

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 15:14:25 +0000

Dashti selected as Acting Associate Dean for Research Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/15/2022 - 09:14

Acting Dean Keith Molenaar has selected Shideh Dashti to serve as the acting associate dean for research in the college. Dashti will start in May 2022.

“I am honored to be selected and to serve in this important role in our own community and the broader research community on campus,” Dashti said. “I look forward to learning from, collaborating with, and supporting all of the researchers in our college as we strive to achieve our collective mission to become a top research institution in the world.”

With the appointment, Dashti becomes the first female associate dean for research in the college’s history. She will lead the Research Support Office team in offering support across the life of research proposals from idea to submission, execution, and publication.

Dashti immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1999 and completed her undergraduate work in civil and environmental engineering at Cornell University with subsequent graduate work at the University of California Berkeley. She joined CU Boulder in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering in 2011 and currently serves as an associate professor. Her research focuses on performance-based evaluation and mitigation of geotechnical hazards affecting structures and lifelines during earthquakes and compounded climate extremes.

Dashti has held several leadership roles in the college, serving as the co-director of the Center for Infrastructure, Energy and Space Testing and as the director of the Resilient Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RISE) Interdisciplinary Research Theme. Nationally, she is a co-principal investigator and steering committee member of the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance Association – a National Science Foundation group that leads post-disaster geotechnical engineering reconnaissance efforts around the world. She has received a number of awards for her research contributions, most recently the 2021 Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Dashti will hold the position while Professor Massimo Ruzzene serves as acting vice chancellor for research for the campus. She said a top priority will be continuing new publication recognition and reputation efforts, coordinated pre- and post-award support for large and strategic grants, and tailored support and engagement opportunities for junior faculty.

“I also want to prioritize and continue relationships with our local national lab partners during my time,” she said. “And reimaging opportunities for outreach to alumni, industry, foundations, and other donor communities around our incredible research portfolio.”

Molenaar said Dashti is an accomplished researcher and leader and will be a tremendous advocate for all researchers in the college.

“Professor Dashti’s combined interdisciplinary research experience and leadership skills make her an extraordinary selection for this position. I look forward to seeing what she accomplishes and where the Research Support Office goes from here,” he said.

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