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AWWA Journal Cover Story: Q&A with Professor Karl Linden

Susan Glairon — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 22:44:00 +0000

AWWA Journal Cover Story: Q&A with Professor Karl Linden Susan Glairon Wed, 10/22/2025 - 16:44

Professor Karl Linden received the American Water Works Association’s 2025 A.P. Black Research Award, which honors outstanding contributions to water science and supply. Linden was recognized for his pioneering work in developing and applying ultraviolet technologies to improve water and wastewater treatment.

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5 ways to make AI more trustworthy

Susan Glairon — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 18:34:11 +0000

5 ways to make AI more trustworthy Susan Glairon Wed, 10/22/2025 - 12:34

In a new paper published in the journal, "AI and Ethics," Professor Amir Behzadan and his PhD student, Armita Dabiri, are unearthing new insights into how the artificial intelligence (AI) technology we might encounter in daily life, such as self-driving cars, can earn our confidence.

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Wildfires can still contaminate water 8 years later, researchers find

Susan Glairon — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 16:31:42 +0000

Wildfires can still contaminate water 8 years later, researchers find Susan Glairon Tue, 10/21/2025 - 10:31

This KJZZ Phoenix radio story reports on a study led by Alumna Carli Brucker (CivEngr PhD 23) of 100,000 samples from 500 watersheds across the western U.S., finding that wildfires can still contaminate water up to eight years later.

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Climate financing boosting water access for millions in developing nations

Susan Glairon — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:52:37 +0000

Climate financing boosting water access for millions in developing nations Susan Glairon Mon, 10/20/2025 - 09:52

Evan Thomas, director of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Mortenson Center in Global Engineering and Resilience, is pioneering climate-financed clean water programs that have brought safe drinking water to over 5 million people in Africa. Using carbon credits to fund long-term maintenance and real-time water quality monitoring, the center aims to reach 3 million more people by 2030.

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Online welcomes new leadership as visioning process begins

Susan Glairon — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:20:26 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Online welcomes new leadership as visioning process begins Susan Glairon Mon, 10/20/2025 - 09:20

Professor Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, interim vice chancellor for academic resource management, was featured in the Provost’s Post, where he discussed developing a new and lasting vision for online education.

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Introducing Sam Sohn, new CIEST director

Susan Glairon — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 18:34:33 +0000

Introducing Sam Sohn, new CIEST director Susan Glairon Tue, 10/14/2025 - 12:34

At ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, the Center for Infrastructure, Energy, and Space Testing (CIEST) is where innovation meets impact. The facility brings together students, faculty and industry partners to explore how infrastructure and materials perform under real-world conditions—from powerful geotechnical centrifuges to advanced structural and materials testing systems.

Now, under the leadership of Sam Sohn, CIEST’s new director, the center is deepening opportunities for hands-on learning, research collaboration and industry partnerships.

How does your background align with the mission of CIEST?

I earned my PhD in materials science from Virginia Tech in 2000, and have since worked in R&D and product developments across a range industries— including polymers, electronic materials, solar cells, EV batteries and automotive systems. These broad experiences have shown me how science and technology impact our daily lives.

The core mission of CIEST is to study infrastructure at small, medium and large scales such as building and underground systems—and to build a scientific foundation for improving resilience against natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. In many ways, this aligns with my career path: leveraging science and technology for the benefit of society.

What excites you most about taking on the role of director?

My role has three core missions: supporting faculty in undergraduate and graduate teaching, providing the right experimental tools for research and bringing internal and external research to expand the center. The work is anything but routine—it demands creativity, collaboration and a strong drive for success, keeping me engaged every day.

What are some of the lab’s current or upcoming research projects that you’re most excited about?

CIEST supports several CEAE faculty research projects in geotechnical and structural engineering, ranging from concrete research to earthquake impact simulations using a centrifuge. The center also conducts multiple pipeline-related industrial research programs.

How is CIEST advancing testing capabilities for large-scale infrastructure, materials or energy systems?

CIEST is equipped with four hydraulic actuators, covering both uniaxial and bi-axial testing ranging from 110 kip and 220kip, (1 kip = 1,000 pounds). Our largest actuator can handle up to one million pounds. A series of centrifuges from small teaching units to large industrial-scale machines—enables a full spectrum of geotechnical research. These capabilities are versatile and can also be applied to aerospace and energy research.

What role do industry partnerships play in your research and testing programs?

Industry partnerships are critical, providing financial stability and strong connections for our students. Industry brings real-world, complex challenges to CIEST, requiring advanced equipment and expertise, which creates opportunities for mutual growth and prepares students for professional success.

How do students—both undergraduate and graduate—get involved in CIEST projects?

CIEST offers multiple ways for students to get involved. Some undergraduate students are hired directly by the center, while others work on research tied to their master’s or doctoral dissertations through their faculty advisors.

CIEST also hires postdoctoral researchers to lead and support industrial projects.

The center operates with a small professional staff and a large team of students and postdocs. One of CIEST’s core missions is hands-on education: students help design experiments, set up tests and analyze results, gaining a full understanding of how research is conducted from start to finish.

What skills or experiences do you hope students gain from working in the lab?

We live in an “AI-driven” era, where access to advanced knowledge is easier than ever. This makes higher education even more valuable, as success will depend less on “what you know” and more on “how you use it.” At CIEST, students gain practical, hands-on experience, applying scientific and engineering principles in real-world research. This experience equips CEAE graduates with the skills to innovate and excel in their careers.

In today’s AI-driven era, success depends less on what you know and more on how you use it, says Sam Sohn, the new director of CIEST. That’s what makes the center so vital. At CIEST, students gain practical, hands-on experience applying science and engineering to real-world challenges—preparing CEAE graduates to innovate and lead in their careers.

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Boulder Rotary presents peace award to Bernard Amadei

Susan Glairon — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 21:03:51 +0000

Boulder Rotary presents peace award to Bernard Amadei Susan Glairon Fri, 10/03/2025 - 15:03

Bernard Amadei, founder of Engineers Without Borders USA and former CEAE professor, has been honored with the 2025 Jim Swaeby Peace Award for his global humanitarian work. The award, presented by the Boulder Rotary Club, recognizes individuals who make outstanding contributions to peace.

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Mark Hernandez joins global commission on indoor air quality

Susan Glairon — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:45:17 +0000

Mark Hernandez joins global commission on indoor air quality Susan Glairon Mon, 09/29/2025 - 10:45

Mark Hernandez is serving as a commissioner of the newly launched Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air to elevate indoor air as a critical public health priority and drive coordinated global action and solutions.

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s environmental and civil engineering ranked top 10 among public universities

Susan Glairon — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 22:36:13 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s environmental and civil engineering ranked top 10 among public universities Susan Glairon Fri, 09/26/2025 - 16:36

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� civil and environmental engineering are in the top 10 best engineering program in the U.S. when compared to its public peers, U.S. News and World Report announced.

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CU Engineering builds on sustainability leadership with new MS in sustainable engineering

Elsi Taitano — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:25:55 +0000

CU Engineering builds on sustainability leadership with new MS in sustainable engineering Elsi Taitano Tue, 09/23/2025 - 11:25

The University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Engineering & Applied Science is building on its leadership in sustainability research and education with the launch of a new Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering.

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News

AWWA Journal Cover Story: Q&A with Professor Karl Linden

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5 ways to make AI more trustworthy

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Wildfires can still contaminate water 8 years later, researchers find

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Climate financing boosting water access for millions in developing nations

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���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ Online welcomes new leadership as visioning process begins

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Introducing Sam Sohn, new CIEST director

How does your background align with the mission of CIEST?

What excites you most about taking on the role of director?

What are some of the lab’s current or upcoming research projects that you’re most excited about?

How is CIEST advancing testing capabilities for large-scale infrastructure, materials or energy systems?

What role do industry partnerships play in your research and testing programs?

How do students—both undergraduate and graduate—get involved in CIEST projects?

What skills or experiences do you hope students gain from working in the lab?

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Boulder Rotary presents peace award to Bernard Amadei

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Mark Hernandez joins global commission on indoor air quality

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���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������'s environmental and civil engineering ranked top 10 among public universities

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CU Engineering builds on sustainability leadership with new MS in sustainable engineering

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Online welcomes new leadership as visioning process begins

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s environmental and civil engineering ranked top 10 among public universities