News Archive 2010
December 2010
Charles Roeder Doubles up on Awards
Charles Roeder, professor of structural engineering, won the 2010 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Ernest E. Howard Award, which recognizes a member of ASCE for contributing to the advancement of structural engineering through research, planning, design or construction. Prof. Roeder also will receive the 2011 American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) T.R. Higgins Award at the institute's conference in May. He is being honored for his paper "Gusset Plate Connections for Seismic Design." The Higgins award recognizes a lecturer and author whose technical paper or papers are considered an outstanding contribution to the engineering literature on fabricated structural steel.
Dec. 14, 2010 | BusinessWeek (via Associated Press)
UW: Admiralty Inlet an Ideal Spot for Tidal Power
Some 30 meters down, near the mouth of Puget Sound's Admiralty Inlet, sits a device that is gathering information expected to unlock a powerful source of clean energy. The device was installed by mechanical engineer Brian Polagye, civil and environmental engineer Jim Thomson and colleagues to measure sound and currents 200 feet underwater.
Related Stories:
KING 5: Tides could be tapped for clean energy | UW NEWS | King 5: Camera paints colorful orca portrait
Dec. 2010 | ASCE
CEE Alumna Is "Inspiring Engineer"
Erin Fletcher (MSCE 2006), was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as an "Inspiring Engineer" for her work in transportation engineering. Erin's fascination with the 1940 collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge sparked her interest in civil engineering. She is now the project manager of a $14 million noise-mitigation wall alongside Interstate 5 in Seattle.
Erin Fletcher on Meet Inspiring Engineers | Erin Fletcher on "Engineer Your Life"
Dec. 14, 2010 | The Spokesman-Review
Phosphorus Removal Methods Targeting Types that Spur Algae
Not all of the phosphorus discharged from a wastewater treatment plant into the Spokane River contributes to oxygen-robbing algae blooms, according to a new study from civil engineer Michael Brett and graduate student Bo Li. Some of the phosphorus is in complex molecular forms and the algae don't have the enzymes to break it down, said the study, which could have implications for future river cleanup plans.
Oct. 28, 2010
Oil and Public Policy in WA State Discussed at Third Annual Wenk Lecture
Dale Jensen, Program Manager for the WA State Department of Ecology Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program, made his presentation at the third annual Edward Wenk, Jr. Endowed Lectureship in Technology and Public Policy. Every oil spill presents a unique opportunity to develop strategies that change public perception, technology, and ultimately public policy. Dale Jensen's lecture began with a high-level review of the history of oil spills in the state of Washington and around the nation that has shaped public policy on environmental protection. He gave an overview of the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and outlined the public policy challenges facing environmentalists, tribes, industry, and government bodies in Washington State while developing public policies around spill preparedness and response.
Lecture slideshow
Oct. 26, 2010 | UW News
Scented Consumer Products Shown to Emit Many Unlisted Chemicals
Anne Steinemann, UW professor of civil and environmental engineering and of public affairs led a study on 25 best-selling scented products. More than a third of the products emitted at least one chemical classified as a probable carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and for which the EPA sets no safe exposure level.
Oct. 18, 2010 | MSNBC
Mark Hallenbeck, Director of Washington Transportation Center, talks about the new interest in street cars in urban neighborhoods.
Oct. 15, 2010 | Wall Street Journal: The Numbers Guy blog
Why Construction Project Costs Runneth Over
Mark Hallenbeck, Director of Washington Transportation Center, says skewed incentives can contribute to poor cost estimates in a discussion of cost overruns in major building projects like the New Jersey light rail.
Oct. 8, 2010 | SeattlePI.com
Hot Stuff: UW Part of National Effort to Study Global Warming
In an arrangement that could mean many more millions of dollars in research funding in years to come, the University of Washington, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho and the U.S. Geological Service are to work together to establish the Northwest Regional Climate Science Center. Alan Hamlet, CEE research assistant professor in hydrology, and research scientist at the Climate Impacts Group helped write the proposal.
Oct. 7, 2010 | UW Week
Over the next few weeks, the College of Engineering's popular fall lectures will take a more technical look at some of the topics currently in the news. This year’s series, "Engineering in the Headlines," offers insiders' perspectives on this summer’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the upcoming Olympics, and efforts to tame driver distraction.
Oct. 5, 2010 | CAEE
National Study Identifies Range of Opportunities to Improve Engineering Education
Enabling Engineering Student Success, a new report released by the Center for the Advancement of Engineering Education (CAEE), identifies key opportunities for improving how engineering students are prepared for professional practice. Multi-year studies involving thousands of students at more than 20 institutions—as well as 100 newly hired graduates—provide a detailed picture of the paths engineering students take as they enter, experience, and graduate from undergraduate degree programs.
Oct. 5, 2010
David Stahl Wins NSF Biodiversity Grant
David Stahl, professor of environmental engineering, received one of 14 NSF grants to study dimensions of Earth's biodiversity. Prof. Stahl received the grant for his proposal titled "Significance of nitrification in shaping planktonic biodiversity in the ocean." He will use the grant to examine the diversity and function of ammonia oxidizing Archaea (AOA) and determine the role of these newly discovered organisms in structuring the diversity of phytoplankton.
Sep. 27, 2010 | UW Engineering
NRC Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs
Dean O'Donnell voices concerns about accuracy of data used in the National Research Council Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs.
Sep. 2010
Joseph Wartman Joins Faculty as the H.R. Berg Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Joseph Wartman joined the UW
faculty in autumn quarter as the H.R. Berg Associate
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Among his honors is a National Science Foundation
Early Career Award. He is a specialist in earthquakes,
natural hazards, and sustainable geotechnics, and edits
the Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering.
Sep. 2010
CEE Graduate Student Awarded EPA STAR Fellowship
Christine Fagnant, CEE PhD student in environmental
engineering working with Assistant Professor Mike Dodd, was awarded the 2010 EPA Science To
Achieve Results (STAR) fellowship. This fellowship is
awarded through a rigorous review process and is
intended to help defray the ever-increasing costs associated
with studies leading to advanced degrees
in environmental sciences.
Sep. 14, 2010 | Washington Post
Some Air Fresheners Contain Ingredients that may be Harmful
Prof. Anne Steinemann's research on air freshener ingredients is noted in a Washington Post/Slate article. While they no longer contain CFCs, air fresheners may contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Some members of this much-hyped but little-understood class of chemicals are hazardous to both environmental and human health.
Sep. 2010
Stephen Muench Promoted
Stephen Muench was promoted to associate professor in CEE beginning with the
2010–11 academic year. Steve specializes in construction engineering and is becoming
well known for his Greenroads project, which provides a sustainability performance
metric for roadway design and construction.
Aug. 10, 2010 | UW News
Distracted Drivers Benefit from in-car Driving Coach
A recent study by Linda Ng Boyle, a University of Washington associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, looked at the effect of an electronic coach that uses an eye tracker to monitor drivers' gaze. With just a small amount of coaching, high-risk drivers more than doubled their time until a virtual crash.
July 22, 2010 | UW Week
CEE Student Wins National Scholarship
Geoffrey Morgan, a senior honors student and double major in civil/environmental engineering and international studies, has won a prestigious Morris K. Udall Scholarship. Morgan is fluent in Chinese and spent a year in China conducting independent research under the UW-Sichuan University program. He also has studied at the UW Rome Center. Morgan plans a career focused on sustainable development. The Udall Scholarship is awarded to who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment.
July 20, 2010 | Columbus Local News
First 'Green' Road Project in Ohio Nears Completion
A suburb of Columbus, Ohio is nearing completion of several road reconstructions meant to serve as a nationwide model for a new certification process promoting environmentally sustainable road projects. The Greenroads certification was developed by Asst. Prof. Steve Muench and PhD student Jeralee Anderson with construction firm CH2M Hill.
July 8, 2010 | UW Week
TransNow TransLab a New Hub for UW Transportation Research
Buckle up. Transportation research at the UW is about to shift into a high gear. The TransNow TransLab that opened to the public this June provides a new space for UW researchers to discuss ideas and share data in the world of transportation research.
May 2010 | Fast Company
Jessica Lundquist Named one of 100 Most Creative People by Fast Company
Jessica Lundquist, assistant professor of hydrology and climatology, made the 2010 list of the magazine's "100 Most Creative People" — an eclectic take on the "breadth of new ideas and new pursuits at play in our business landscape." Lundquist, ranking #99, shares honors with Qi Lu (#10), president of Online Services, Microsoft, and Lady Gaga, topping the list at #1. The magazine was impressed with Lundquist's $30 version of a $10,000 scientific weather station.
May 11, 2010
CEE Teams Take 1st Place at ITE Student Night
Two CEE teams including transportation students Jonathan Corey, Felipe Sandoval, Tim Thomson, and Yunteng Lao tied for first place in the 2010 Washington
Section ITE Student Presentation Competition
held May 11. This year's project, provided by
the City of Redmond, entailed conducting a safety
analysis and identifying conceptual improvements
of the 166th Avenue NE corridor between NE 85th
Street and NE 100th Street. Presentations included
a poster session and PowerPoint presentation.
March 5, 2010 | UW News and Information
OneBusAway, a suite of tools to make using public transit easier for King County riders, last night won the Washington Technology Industry Association's 2010 Industry Achievement Award in the category "Best Use of Technology in the Government, Non-Profit, or Education Sector." OneBusAway was developed by Computer Science & Engineering doctoral student Brian Ferris and Civil & Environmental Engineering doctoral student Kari Watkins.
Feb. 11, 2010 | UW Week
UW Earthquake Engineer Assesses Damage in Haiti
Marc Eberhard, professor of civil and environmental engineering, led a five-person team sent to evaluate damage from the devastating magnitude-7 earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12. Update: read the team's report.
Feb. 2010
Dennis Lettenmaier Elected to National Academy of Engineering
Prof. Dennis Lettenmaier, the Robert and Irene Sylvester Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Election to the academy is among the highest professional distinctions accorded an engineer. Lettenmaier was honored for "contributions to hydrologic modeling for stream water quality and hydro-climate trends and models for improved water management".
Jan. 29, 2010 | CEE Facebook page
Civil & Environmental Engineering Professor Reports from Haiti
CEE structural engineering professor Marc Eberhard is in Haiti leading the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute team's effort to conduct building inspections and earthquake reconnaissance.
King5 News Interview | UW Week Report | NEES Comm Haiti Blog
Jan. 21, 2010 | UW News
New Rules for Managing Dams in a Changing Climate
Civil engineers at the University of Washington and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Seattle office have developed a new technique to determine when to empty reservoirs in the winter for flood control and when to refill them in the spring to provide storage for the coming year.
Jan. 13, 2010 | UW News
'Greenroads' Rates Sustainable Road Projects
Road construction is a more-than-$80 billion annual industry in the United States. Yet nothing comparable to the LEED rating system for buildings, or the Energy Star system for appliances, exists for highways and roads. University of Washington researchers and global engineering firm CH2M Hill today unveiled Greenroads, a rating system for sustainable road design and construction. The lead author is Steve Muench, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering.
UW Week Report | UWHuskies Channel Interview | ASCE Magazine