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{contents}
Welcome from Dean McKenna
Greetings, friends and alumni of Iowa Engineering!
I am delighted to bring you this year’s issue of Iowa Engineer!
The pages that follow highlight the many ways in which this college is a vibrant academic space with dedicated faculty and staff, entrepreneurial and ambitious students, and a community committed to improving quality of life here in Iowa, across the United States, and around the world. Over the last year, it has been a pleasure to engage with and celebrate our outstanding alumni, interact with students as they present engineering innovations, and learn from faculty members and researchers as they take leadership roles in environmental health, transportation, health care, and intelligent systems.
As you know, engineers look to the future as they design solutions to grand challenges. Engineers are resilient and adaptable. Engineers think big. Engineers change the world. I see that mindset every day when I walk through the halls and see our students collaborate, see faculty members develop breakthroughs in labs, and interact with our alumni who have gone on to have a global impact. The research we conduct and the education we provide are nothing short of transformative, and this issue of Iowa Engineer highlights just a small slice of the larger impact of our College of Engineering.
I came to Iowa because I saw this college as a community where voices are heard and new ideas are fostered. I was encouraged by the college’s focus on human health as well as the health of the environment. Our engineering research is propelled by collaborations with colleagues across the entire University of Iowa campus — in business, the arts and humanities, education, and health sciences — and this culture of collaboration is modeled for the next generation of engineers who graduate from our college.
I look forward to all that we will accomplish in the next year and the many years after that. Our alumni will continue as leaders in industry, academia, government, and nonprofits. Our faculty members and researchers will develop technologies that ensure data security, revolutionize how we communicate, and steward our natural resources. Our dedicated staff will ensure that our students are supported and that our college operates efficiently.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our college and the welcoming community we have created.
Ann McKenna Dean, College of Engineering
Roy J. Carver Professor of Engineering
{research excellence}
Quantum future
Quantum computing research led by Fatima Toor, Lowell G. Battershell Chair in Laser Engineering, is bringing next-generation computing closer to reality.
Quantum computing allows the tackling of complex calculations — numerous possibilities at once — that are beyond the reach of traditional computer processors, such as those found in laptops and smartphones.
“The building blocks of quantum computers are qubits,” said Toor, professor of electrical and computer engineering and faculty affiliate of the Iowa Technology Institute. “These qubits are typically based on superconducting materials that operate best at really
low temperatures — liquid helium (He) temperatures — in a dilution refrigerator.”
Even a small energy disruption caused by stray infrared light can leak heat into the refrigerator, adding significant noise to qubit operations and their response times, Toor said.
Supported by a $1 million grant from the Department of Energy’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, Toor is investigating metamaterial coatings that can adhere to multiple layers inside the dilution refrigerator to minimize IR photon leakage and potentially increase the coherence times of qubit operations.
Best invention
Yang Liu, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, is behind an invention that Time selected among its best inventions of 2024.
Liu helped invent digital loupes, which are digitized magnifying lenses worn by surgeons. Liu co-founded Unify Medical, which commercialized the product. “The company’s
digital loupes allow surgeons at hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic, to see with microscope-level precision and record their fields of vision for future training or analysis,” according to Time.
Liu, a faculty affiliate of the Iowa Technology Institute, has secured multiple federal research grants to advance the technology, including building night vision capabilities to allow surgery in austere environments.
Big data, smart decisions
A surgeon determining the best incision point for draining an infected abdomen. A NASA scientist testing the spaceworthiness of a 3D printing system. Engineers developing a system to refine varied recycled waste products into high-quality materials.
Professionals often must make decisions with incomplete data. Chao Wang, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, focuses his research on using “big data” — large collections of information that reveal patterns — to create more certainty around these decisions.
“To create ‘smart’ systems, we use mathematical tools to transform raw data into knowledge that can save time and money while improving operational efficiency,” explained Wang, who joined the College of Engineering in 2019.
Wang’s research focuses on quantifying patterns across different systems and using that information to accurately predict outcomes in related but untested scenarios. For example, by analyzing thousands of similar surgical procedures, his methods could help doctors predict the best approach for a new patient with unique characteristics.
Possible applications of Wang’s collaborative research vary widely, from coordinating multi-robot systems in advanced manufacturing operations to assisting climate scientists in modeling environmental changes.
Building a bioeconomy
Hyeongmin Seo, assistant professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, was selected to contribute to the new Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts.
Seo was awarded a $1.5 million grant to design high-performing microorganisms, build them by modifying their genes to support high-value products, test their effectiveness, and learn from the results to make improvements.
The grant is the University of Iowa’s portion of the Global Centers competition, in which the National Science Foundation and international partners invested $82 million to launch six global centers focused on advancing bioeconomy research to solve global challenges.
The Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts will study how to turn organic waste into renewable and biodegradable plastics for use in important, high-quality products, such as environmental sensors.
Nearly 30 million in the United States are affected by OSA, but as many as 70% of patients are intolerant to the preferred treatment — continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP.
A new surgical procedure called hypoglossal nerve stimulation was approved in 2014, but screening to determine which patients can benefit is lacking. The focus of Lingala’s study, which includes scholars in otolaryngology and neurology, is to improve the screening process for hypoglossal nerve stimulation.
The project is being backed by a fiveyear, $2 million R01 grant from the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research.
Sajan Goud Lingala, associate professor of biomedical engineering and radiology, is leading a new study to help those struggling with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common cause of snoring.
Chao Wang
FACULTY FEATURE
Protecting bridges
Prof. Priscilla Williams simulates river flow in hopes of mitigating pier scour.
The laser beam from the particle image velocimeter (PIV) reflects off the acrylic calibration plate. The laser helps illuminate the particles in water to capture and study the flow field.
Research by a University of Iowa engineering professor aims to mitigate the negative effects of powerful river flow, which can lead to bridge collapse and other destructive impacts.
Priscilla Williams, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and a researcher at IIHR— Hydroscience and Engineering, studies how river flow interacts with impediments such as bridge piers, riverbanks, and even miniscule grains of sand. Findings contribute to improved modeling techniques and river management strategies that enhance the safety and sustainability of infrastructure.
“River-related research generally benefits the public from health, environmental, economic, and social perspectives,” said Williams, who joined IIHR in 2021. “We’re focused on securing the essential connections rivers provide from each of these perspectives, with fundamental and applied research.”
Williams was drawn to Iowa by the international reputation of IIHR. After earning a PhD at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher on a large-scale physical modeling project under the mentorship of IIHR associate director Troy Lyons and director Larry Weber. The goal was aiding trout passage through the Freeman Diversion on California’s Santa Clara River. Williams transitioned to a faculty role in 2023, embarking on her own research pursuits.
Currently, Williams focuses on pier scour — the erosion that occurs around bridge piers within river channels. This phenomenon can compromise structural stability if not addressed. By examining the physics of the obstructed flow field, Williams’s work can lead to more accurate models and, ultimately, infrastructure that is better equipped to withstand environmental challenges.
Abhishek Ghimire, a PhD student working under Williams, speaks to her qualities as a researcher and mentor. “She has given me freedom to explore my ideas while always stepping in with her important insights whenever I run into a problem, which I have found incredibly helpful,” Ghimire said.
Williams’ dedication to both her research and her students underscores her commitment to advancing the field while fostering the next generation of experts.
She has given me freedom to explore my ideas while always stepping in with her important insights whenever I run into a problem.
—ABHISHEK GHIMIRE
Priscilla Williams
Underground opportunities
Iowa Geological Survey is leading a $11.3 million Department of Energy carbon sequestration study.
The University of Iowa has been selected to lead a two-year, $11.3 million Department of Energy study that could change how carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) are managed in Iowa, a potential win-win for the environment and energy producers.
Rather than transporting CO2 out of state via pipeline or other means, the study aims to prove it is feasible to inject and store CO2 deep under the earth’s surface in Iowa. This practice occurs elsewhere, but to date it has not been thought possible in Iowa.
“Once we can show the world CO2 storage in Iowa is possible, it could change things dramatically,” said Ryan Clark, the study’s principal investigator and a geologist at the Iowa Geological Survey, a unit of the University of Iowa College of Engineering and IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering.
Ground zero for the study is MidAmerican Energy’s Walter Scott, Jr. Energy Center, a coal-fired power plant in Council Bluffs. MidAmerican is a lead partner and will sponsor the bulk of the 20% cost share portion of the grant. The Department of Energy will be contributing $9 million.
“MidAmerican is pleased to assist the Iowa Geological Survey with this project,” Peggi Allenback, MidAmerican
senior vice president, generation, market operations and supply, said. “If the study succeeds, it could open the door for a new method to reduce carbon emissions.”
The power plant sits 2,700 feet — about a half mile — above a formation created 1.1 billion years ago when North America nearly split apart. The formation is known as the Midcontinent Rift System and is characterized by a long valley that was filled with lava. Over time, the lava turned into a 6-mile-thick complex of volcanic rock known as basalt.
Clark’s hypothesis is that supercritical CO2 (liquified CO2) could be injected into the basalt beneath the power plant where it would convert over time into calcite, a stable mineral found in limestone.
This method of CO2 storage, called geologic sequestration, is practiced widely, particularly in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, but it has not been tested with basalt.
“This basaltic mineralization method is very new,” Clark said. “Some states already understand their deep geology. Iowa doesn’t have that. That lack of information has led people to think you can’t do it in Iowa, so we are playing catch-up.”
Ryan Clark poses at the Iowa Geological Survey office in Trowbridge Hall on the University of Iowa campus.
Researchers use core samples, such as the one to the left, to better understand geology deep underground.
The project’s focus will be drilling a 5,000-foot-deep test hole on site to gather fundamental geologic data. The data will feed predictive models assessing what would happen when CO2 is injected and the storage capacity of the basalts.
If preliminary testing is positive, the next phase of feasibility testing would be to inject CO2, Clark said.
The grant is expected to support one undergraduate and one graduate student researcher at the UI for the project’s duration.
This graphic shows the subsurface geology in western Iowa with a dotted line marking the “critical depth” for CO2 sequestration.
Predicting extreme weather
Hydrologic monitoring stations across Eastern Iowa help officials understand flood and drought risks and mitigate their impacts.
The Iowa Flood Center (IFC) has installed 31 new hydrologic monitoring stations (hydrostations) in Eastern Iowa to better monitor and predict floods and droughts. The new stations were funded by a $1 million federal award from Congress’s Community Project Funding championed by Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
The hydrostations measure rainfall, wind speed and direction, soil moisture and temperature, and water levels in a shallow groundwater well. Data collected by the hydrostations are publicly available on the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) to help state agencies and communities better understand flood and drought risks and mitigate their impacts. The information collected supports farmers’ land management decisions and research efforts to monitor the impacts of extreme weather on water resources sustainability in Iowa.
“Recent events have shown how quickly Iowa can change from drought to flood conditions. This funding allows the Iowa Flood Center to continue providing high-quality real-time information for Iowans,” said Larry Weber, professor of civil and environmental engineering and IFC director. “Having a more uniform hydrostation network across the state helps us better support agencies and communities in making flood and drought mitigation, forecasting, and response decisions.”
With this recent expansion, the IFC now has hydrologic monitoring stations in 53 counties, over halfway to its goal of placing one hydrostation in every county in Iowa. The IFC is working with partners and local leaders to expand the network in Western Iowa, as well as to develop an Iowa Drought Information System built off the successful IFIS framework.
A hydrologic monitoring station (hydrostation)
direction,
measures rainfall, wind speed and
soil moisture and temperature, and water levels in a shallow groundwater well.
The hydrostation network expansion and development of a drought information system are key recommendations in the Iowa Drought Plan developed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management in January 2023. These activities fill in data gaps and provide Iowans with more comprehensive and accessible information to support decision-making.
The Iowa Flood Center is part of the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering and is the nation’s only academic research center devoted solely to flooding. The IFC develops reliable tools and information that community leaders, emergency responders, decisionmakers, and individuals depend on to help better understand and reduce their flood risks.
funding opportunities for hydrostations.
Driver safety
DSRI is at the forefront of advancing the next generation of driver monitoring.
The University of Iowa Driving Safety Research Institute (DSRI) is leading multiple projects assessing the latest evolutions in driver monitoring systems (DMS) that are designed to identify when motorists are distracted, drowsy, and/or under the influence of alcohol or cannabis.
Various types of DMS can be found on new vehicles today. A camera inside the vehicle tracks eye and head
movement to assess driver drowsiness or distraction. An alert then urges the driver to take a break or keep their eyes on the road. DMS technology is evolving to also detect driver impairment from drugs or alcohol.
Being able to distinguish among factors affecting the driver is a key step in improving the technology. DSRI has been a leader in assessing which measures are most sensitive in differentiating the type of impairment.
Driver monitoring systems use eye tracking, head movements, and points on the face to detect behaviors such as yawning for drowsiness detection.
ALCOHOL
Under a $2 million grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DSRI is studying the effectiveness of DMS to detect if someone is driving while drunk — specifically if they are over the legal limit or not.
Study participants will drive in a driving simulator at four distinct times: 1) when they are alert and sober, 2) when they are drowsy and sober, 3) when their blood alcohol content (BAC) is at 0.08, and 4) again when their BAC is at 0.12. Investigators will collect data on driver performance, eye tracking, head and body movements, heart rate, and respiration, among others.
“This study is significant because its results could be used in the future to help prevent or reduce the number of alcoholrelated crashes,” said Tim Brown, director of drugged driving research.
DISTRACTION AND DROWSINESS
DSRI is using DMS to detect if a driver is distracted and identify when this occurs alongside drowsiness. This research will help differentiate between distraction and drowsiness, enabling researchers to understand the effects of distraction with and without the presence of drowsiness.
DSRI is conducting research to provide recommendations for test procedures to evaluate DMS systems that are designed to detect drowsiness. In collaboration with Exponent, they developed a protocol to gather data on drowsy drivers and are evaluating it through DSRI’s driving simulator and Exponent’s test track.
CANNABIS
Using a Seeing Machines DMS to study changes in eye behaviors after cannabis use, DSRI researchers found changes in scanning patterns of cannabis users before and after consumption. Additionally, changes in average eye opening were found to decrease following use.
ALCOHOL DETECTION
Researchers examined different eye-related measures (e.g., blink rate, pupil size) to assess: 1) if the driver recently used alcohol, and 2) if these measures are consistent across users relative to BAC levels. Findings showed that median eye opening and percentage of time spent focused on the forward roadway could be used as predictors of alcoholimpaired driving.
THIRD-PARTY COLLABORATION
The DSRI team detected and analyzed impairment from alcohol and cannabis using a DMS provided by Aisin, a global automotive supplier. One of the models they tested — which used both vehicle data and facial features — was found to be effective at classifying alcohol impairment. Another model meant to detect cannabis impairment — which used mostly eye features — showed promise, but researchers suspected those results may not hold up to further testing.
A driver monitoring system camera is positioned on the dashboard of the National Advanced Driving Simulator.
Greg Wagner, director of instrumentation engineering at the Driving Safety Research Institute, installs the new DMS in the simulator cab.
Return on investment
CBE professors have turned P3 seed funding into $9.4 million in NASA grants.
The University of Iowa’s P3 grant program has had a transformative impact on Earth observation research in the College of Engineering, leading to faculty hires, new graduate students, critical infrastructure, and external funding, including nearly $10 million in recent NASA awards.
Funded through Iowa’s utility public-private partnership, the P3 program supports strategic campus initiatives. One of the program’s earliest and largest investments was $3.6 million in 2021 to expand space-based research across the university.
“The P3 program provided us the opportunity to invest in one of Iowa’s core strengths and build interdisciplinary partnerships that capitalize on our legacy of space research,” said Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost. “The enhanced infrastructure and resources for our talented researchers provided the launchpad for Iowa to
be a national leader in Earth and lunar science instrumentation.”
This fall, NASA’s Instrument Incubator Program awarded two grants totaling nearly $10 million to College of Engineering professors, marking a significant step in the development of a collaborative research environment that leverages expertise across engineering, physics, and environmental sciences at Iowa.
Jun Wang, DEO and professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, Lichtenberger Family Chair in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, and assistant director of the Iowa Technology Institute (ITI), is leading a three-year, $4.9 million grant.
The project's focus is developing a space instrument to probe how tiny particles in the air known as aerosols are distributed three-dimensionally across the world, influencing cloud, weather, and climate patterns. Wang’s
Matthew McGill works with a student at the Iowa Atmospheric Sensor Development Laboratory.
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) awarded Jun Wang the 2024 Joanne Simpson Medal for mid-career scientists in recognition of significant contributions to Earth and space science.
team is developing algorithms to interpret data from the instrument, which will be built in collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
“We are deeply grateful for the university’s P3 program investment, the College of Engineering’s support, and the visionary guidance of our leadership,” Wang said. “Their contributions have been instrumental in shaping and advancing our strategy for growth and excellence in education and research, particularly in the observation and study of Earth and its atmosphere.”
Matthew McGill, professor of chemical and biochemical engineering and a faculty affiliate of the ITI, is leading the other grant. The three-year, $4.5 million project will develop a cost-effective way to measure changes in the Earth’s lower atmosphere by gathering data about how aerosols, clouds, and the planetary boundary layer change throughout the day. McGill’s project will utilize infrastructure developed as part of the P3 project to expand space-based research.
These recent grants highlight the far-reaching impact of the P3 project, which supported the development of sensors, algorithms, and testing capabilities to elevate the role Iowa can play in future NASA missions. The initiative also made it possible for the College of Engineering to recruit McGill, an expert in instrument development with 25 years of experience at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
ITI announces new director
Tom “Mach” Schnell was named director of the Iowa Technology Institute. He succeeds Karim Abdel-Malek, who had led the research institute for 20 years. Schnell’s vision is to deepen the connection between ITI faculty and industry as well as leverage interdisciplinary research to attract large-scale grants.
{college news}
Celebrating the past, trailblazing the future
At 50, the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering is shaping the future of human health solutions.
When the University of Iowa first listed a biomedical engineering (BME) degree in 1974, the field was just starting to gain a foothold in academia. Housed within the College of Engineering and a short walk from a world-renowned academic medical center, Iowa BME was well positioned to lend an engineer’s mindset to medical and biological problems, the design of new health care instruments, and new paradigms in research.
Fifty years later, the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering is firmly established on campus, partnering across Iowa’s health care disciplines to gain a deeper understanding of human health. With approximately 400 students and 20 faculty members, BME is the second largest department in the college.
“Our strength has always been our people and our ability to collaborate across disciplines to not only solve problems but to fundamentally understand how things work,” said Kim “Avrama” Blackwell, BME professor and departmental executive officer. “The strong foundation we have built over the past half century has created exciting opportunities to be change agents in the field of BME through our graduates and our research for years to come.”
While still rooted in improving health, Iowa BME’s focus has evolved and expanded since its early days.
A transformative moment was the $12 million grant in 2018 from the Carver Charitable Trust. The grant, which led to the naming of the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, also led to significant expansion of research and teaching in pulmonary and respiratory biomedicine. The funds led to new faculty members and graduate students and the pursuit of breakthroughs
in airway cystic fibrosis, obstructive sleep apnea, and infectionresistant medical devices.
Cellular and tissue engineering, computational biomedical engineering, bioimaging, and bioinformatics
are also integral to the present and future of the department. Research is targeting some of the most pressing health care dilemmas, including heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and macular degeneration.
“Our commitment to preparing the next generation of biomedical engineers and conducting cutting-edge interdisciplinary research has us poised to tackle the most pressing health challenges of our time, ensuring that the next fifty years are as transformative as the last,” Blackwell said.
Kim "Avrama" Blackwell (right) works in the lab with Remya Rajan (left), an assistant research scientist.
1974
Biomedical Engineering appears in the University of Iowa Catalog and Bachelor of Science is offered.
1986
BME gains accreditation, becoming just the second public university in the country with an accredited program.
2001
BME establishes first BS/ MS program in the College of Engineering.
Joseph Reinhardt receives NSF Career Award for pulmonary imaging research.
2015
Edward Sander receives NSF CAREER Award to study how physical forces influence the formation and remodeling of tissues.
2020
Marissa Mueller, a BME student, becomes UI’s second female student to become a Rhodes Scholar.
2022
James Ankrum receives Fulbright to study regenerative medicine in Ireland.
Kristan Worthington receives NSF CAREER Award to study light-based 3D printing.
Nicole Grosland becomes ELATES fellow in National Leadership Program.
1984
Department of Biomedical Engineering is formed with Kwan Rim as founding chair.
1994
The Iowa Board of Regents approves the Iowa Spine Research Center involving the Colleges of Engineering and Medicine and external, non-federal support.
2007
James Ankrum named UI’s first Churchill Scholar.
2018
Following a $12 million grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, the department is named the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Michael Schnieders receives NSF CAREER Award to develop theoretical approaches to predict crystal structures.
2021
Guowei Qi, an undergraduate student in Michael Schnieders’s research group, becomes Ul’s fifth Churchill Scholar.
2024
Undergraduates in senior design class invent novel prosthetic device, patent the design, and launch company.
Faculty achievements
Kristan Worthington, associate professor of biomedical engineering, received a $1.9 million NIH grant to investigate factors that contribute to agerelated macular degeneration, an eye disease that gradually causes central vision loss.
Eric Nuxoll, professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, patented a noninvasive alternative to surgical interventions that uses a magnetic nanoparticle coating to heat the infection, reducing tissue damage and patient trauma.
George S. Constantinescu, professor of civil and environmental engineering, co-authored a paper in Science finding that the Kakhovka Dam breach amid the war in Ukraine unleashed a “toxic time-bomb” of pollutants threatening ecosystems and water supplies.
KRISTAN WORTHINGTON
ERIC NUXOLL
GEORGE S. CONSTANTINESCU
Gary Christensen, DEO and professor of electrical and computer engineering, won the University of Iowa’s highest teaching prize. The President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes exceptional and ongoing contributions to student learning and success.
Tom “Mach” Schnell, professor of industrial and systems engineering, won the Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, having led more than 424 research projects, secured more than $70 million in funding, and published numerous peerreviewed papers.
Caterina Lamuta, associate professor of mechanical engineering, won the 2024 Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for contributions to smart materials, adaptative structures, and intelligent systems.
GARY CHRISTENSEN
TOM “MACH” SCHNELL
CATERINA LAMUTA
Taming the AI genie
Iowa Engineering helped create HawkAI to enhance campus AI literacy.
What can I help with?
Professors of electrical and computer engineering (ECE) at the University of Iowa are pivotal contributors to an educational initiative aimed at demystifying artificial intelligence (AI) for faculty, staff, and students across the campus. Named HawkAI, this two-year, provost-funded class series provides fundamental knowledge and practical use cases of AI.
To date, HawkAI has engaged over 1,693 unique participants in its educational short courses, with 854 individuals earning certificates. “The AI genie is out of the bottle, no question about it,” stated Milan Sonka, Lowell G. Battershell Chair in Biomedical Engineering,
ECE professor, and director of the Iowa Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (IIAI).
HawkAI features three levels of courses, progressing from beginner to advanced applications of AI. Level one encompasses the history of AI, basic AI and machine learning principles, an overview of AI platforms, ethical considerations, and various hands-on uses tailored to different campus roles. Participants receive a “Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Proficiency” upon completing four out of seven courses. Levels two and three focus on research applications and methodological training, respectively.
“The practical AI knowledge gained from the HawkAI level one courses enables users to immediately apply these skills in their everyday work,” said Manda Marshall, AI support team manager.
Tyler Bell, ECE associate professor who developed several HawkAI classes, commented, “The Hawk AI program has helped fill gaps in AI education and awareness on campus, moving beyond specialized, domain-specific AI work to providing a more holistic, laddered approach for the broader campus community.”
Feedback highlights the program's benefits. One participant remarked, “This has been the most helpful AI training I have taken so far.” Participants have used their training to take meeting notes and summarize email messages, and one person developed a training program for custodial equipment preventive maintenance.
HawkAI is led by IIAI and Information Technology Services and supported by an interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff. The program builds upon the work of ECE faculty and existing ECE courses. Program leaders believe this AI literacy initiative is unique among peer institutions in its breadth, depth, and extensive reach.
Delivering cutting-edge AI literacy education is challenging given the rapid pace of change but increasingly important as AI becomes more widespread, according to Sonka. HawkAI is funded for the university community through summer 2026, and program leaders are exploring ways to offer it to industry and the private sector.
“We hope these courses will serve as an entry point for everyone to appreciate the potential of AI,” said Steve Fleagle, chief information officer at the University of Iowa.
By the numbers
1,693 total participants
854 certificates awarded
32 total sessions
The Hawk AI program has helped fill gaps in AI education. —TYLER BELL <> </>
Human-Tech Connections
UI dancers and engineers scratched new ground when robots entered the world of art at Dance Gala 2024.
A creative collaboration between the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering and Department of Dance led to an interpretive performance involving dancers and robots at Dance Gala 2024: Agile at Hancher Auditorium.
Stephanie Miracle, assistant professor of dance and choreographer of the performance, partnered with Deema Totah, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Robotics and Assistive Devices (RAD) Lab, to bring the project to life. Over the summer, high school senior Jinann AbuDagga built small robots capable of complex movements. As rehearsals progressed in the fall, the robot designs were refined to enhance interaction with the dancers.
The project provided valuable engineering insights into how robotic design can elicit emotional responses. “We can apply that in dance or, for example, in designing medical devices to encourage greater use rates,” Totah said.
The robot designs took on lifelike characteristics. One robot resembled a snake slithering across the floor. Tassels would flare when a bowtie-wearing robot spun. A trio of colorful furry objects would vibrate as if excited as they moved. Another robot had tentacles with eyelike orbs that would blink to convey emotion.
Maddie Bulman, a dance major and one of the performers, said, “Part of the process is learning the personality and integrating it with how we interact with the robot and our colleagues in the act and the rest of the piece. The engineers also used our interactions with the robots to build and code them, which adds to the meanings of our interactions.”
The project has gained traction. Totah and Miracle presented at the mechanical engineering graduate seminar and performed at the Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with funding support from NEXUS. Their paper titled
ART MEETS SCIENCE
Lauren Linder rehearses for Dance Gala 2024: Agile at Hancher Auditorium.
Engineers designed robots that would be used during a dance performance at Hancher Auditorium.
Researchers explore how the design and movement of the robots influenced the dancers.
“Vulnerability is Your Friend: Co-creating Robots with Dancers,” was accepted at the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA).
Also involved in the project were mechanical engineering
students from the RAD Lab; Casey Harwood, associate professor of mechanical engineering; Kevin Swenson, a PhD candidate in music composition; and the Performing Arts Production Unit.
Deema Totah (left) and Jinann AbuDagga (right) developed the robots used in Dance Gala 2024: Agile.
Camryn Nease rehearses for Dance Gala 2024: Agile at Hancher Auditorium.
Giving back
Richard Hardin received a top honor from Steel Founders’ Society of America and donated the prize money to the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Richard Hardin, a mechanical engineering research scientist at the University of Iowa Solidification Laboratory, has been honored by the Steel Founders’ Society of America (SFSA) for contributions to the field.
Over his nearly 30-year career at Iowa, Hardin has advanced custom-made software for casting process control, capabilities of commercially available casting simulation software, and novel approaches for casting mechanical performance prediction. He has also been an author on 97 publications.
Hardin won the Thomas E. Barlow Award of Honor, which is one of the society’s top three accolades. The society’s mission is to advance the steel casting industry through “manufacturing and design R&D, customer education, specifications development, and 120 years of operating and business knowledge.”
The Barlow Award recognizes those who have “gone above and beyond the call to support the steel casting industry.” The recognition occurred at the 2024 National Technical & Operating Conference in Chicago.
The Barlow Award came with a $1,500 prize, which Hardin chose to donate to the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Hardin joined the university as a post-doc and later a staff researcher for Christoph Beckermann, who directed the Solidification Laboratory. Beckermann was also a UI Foundation Distinguished Professor and an affiliate of the Iowa Technology Institute.
Richard Hardin
College mourns loss
ME professor Christoph Beckermann mentored more than 25 PhD students and 23 MS students.
Longtime University of Iowa mechanical engineering professor Christoph Beckermann passed away in April after a lengthy illness. Dean Ann McKenna extended condolences on behalf of the College of Engineering to family, colleagues, and former students.
Beckermann, 64, joined the College of Engineering in 1987 when he arrived as an assistant professor, rising through the faculty ranks before being named UI Foundation Distinguished Professor in 2000. He was a prolific researcher, producing more than 161 refereed journal papers, 174 conference papers, and six edited books.
He was also a dedicated mentor, graduating more than 25 PhD students and 23 MS students. As director of the Solidification Laboratory, his team focused on basic experimental and computational studies of microstructure evolution to modeling and simulation of a wide variety of industrial metal casting processes.
The native of Osnabrück, Germany, was widely regarded for his contributions to the steel industry from the steel foundry shop floor to the most advanced research labs.”
“Despite his professional accolades, Christoph will be most remembered for the way he lived — with joy and deep love for those around him,” his obituary stated. “He was charismatic, engaging, playful, adventurous, and cared deeply about others, always striving to treat people with kindness and integrity.”
Mapping Iowa’s geological legacy
State Geologist Keith Schilling reflects on 40-year career illuminating Iowa’s geological mysteries.
Geology rarely yields absolute truths. Working with rocks and soils deposited centuries ago deep beneath the surface demands comfort with uncertainty — a challenge Keith Schilling has embraced throughout his 40-year career.
Iowa’s state geologist and director of the Iowa Geological Survey (IGS) at the University of Iowa combines scientific methods with creativity and storytelling to illuminate Iowa’s geological mysteries, particularly its water systems.
“As a geologist, you never have enough data and information for a ‘right answer,’ Schilling said. “You assemble the weight of evidence and explain what is going on through storytelling and interpreting.”
Considered an expert in hydrogeology, Schilling has made a mark in groundwater flow and quality, surface and groundwater interaction, nonpoint source pollution, and watershed and floodplain processes. His research record reflects a variety of interests, with nearly 250 journal and other scholarly publications and 10,000 citations in leading geology, water, and environmental journals.
Schilling also helped the 133-year-old IGS transition from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to the University of Iowa a decade ago and ushered in a more entrepreneurial approach, expanding fee-based services and research. He was officially named state geologist in 2018.
Despite his administrative duties, Schilling remains an active researcher who treasures fieldwork across the state.
His groundbreaking work at the Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge and collaborations with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center have advanced understanding of groundwater dynamics and nonpoint source pollution, directly improving Iowa’s water quality management.
Raised in Cedar Rapids with roots in century farms, Schilling discovered geology as a career path during a class at Knox College: “Everyone loves mountains, but I wanted to know why they’re there, how they formed.”
Answering the “why” still drives Schilling.
After graduating during the 1985 oil crisis, his path led him through Arizona land surveying, a master’s at Iowa
State, and eventually a PhD at Iowa. He achieved a career aspiration by joining IGS in 1998.
Calvin Wolter, GIS analyst at IGS, noted that their complementary expertise developed over many years has improved understanding of groundwater travel time and streambank erosion impacts. Meanwhile, Schilling’s knowledge has influenced Peter Jacobson, professor of biology at Grinnell College, and hundreds of students. Jacobson recalls Schilling discussing with students groundwater samples that were “tens of thousands of years in age — a resource that needed to be used judiciously.”
Collaborator Thomas Isenhart of Iowa State University concluded that “while Schilling’s legacy will be well documented in his numerous scientific manuscripts, it will also be seen in the myriad of conservation practices implemented across the Iowa landscape.”
Keith Schilling
Keith Schilling won the Board of Regents Staff Excellence Award, recognizing broad contributions to the university and state. Schilling’s work helps complement existing programs, such as the Iowa Flood Center and Iowa Nutrient Research Center, with effectively communicating the need to manage natural resources in the state for longterm sustainability and economic development.
IGS celebrates 10 years at the University of
Iowa
Since joining IIHR in 2014, the IGS team has leveraged state support to secure funding from partners including the U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Nutrient Research Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Iowa Department of Transportation, and community-funded projects. In just 10 years, the IGS has doubled its staff and completed more than 180 unique projects providing essential services to Iowa communities by developing detailed bedrock maps, critical resource and groundwater vulnerability maps, and innovative nutrient reduction strategies, as well as by monitoring levees and groundwater levels.
iowageologicalsurvey. uiowa.edu
A natural teacher
Rick Fosse’s 10-year detour before retirement
Within a year of retiring as Iowa City public works director in 2014, Rick Fosse began teaching civil and environmental engineering at the University of Iowa to remain active, give back to his profession, and share insights from his career.
What began as a potential two- to three-year retirement opportunity evolved into a decade-long commitment to education with the title of “professor of practice.” Fosse also has served as advisor for the Iowa chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers, which executes the annual corn monument tradition.
Fosse has taught classes on design, project management, leadership, and ethics. A course on resilient infrastructure and emergency response draws from his extensive public sector experience in which he encountered floods, tornadoes, and an out-of-control landfill fire. His approach goes beyond traditional engineering education by emphasizing the human elements.
Jeff Crone, a former student and later a colleague, reflected on Fosse’s ability to bring course topics to life. Now a project manager at McCormick Taylor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the 2018 civil engineering graduate still incorporates Fosse’s lessons. One such lesson is that allowing stakeholders to voice their concerns often disarms contentious meetings.
“Engineers can have the stereotype of being poor communicators,” Crone said. “Rick’s ability to lead a group and engage and respect those who disagree with him is unique and was a great asset in my education.”
Fosse also encourages students to think of the bigger picture of how infrastructure designs can meet numerous needs such as recreation, public safety, and art, such as a flood wall that doubles as a trail. Field trips to locations like the Johnson County Joint Communications Center, flood recovery sites, and local infrastructure allow students to see practical applications of engineering principles.
As he prepares to retire again, Fosse leaves a second legacy of engineers who understand that their work is about more than equations — it’s about creating solutions that serve communities.
Rick Fosse leads students in the Resilient Infrastructure Emergency Response class on a field trip through downtown Iowa City to explore multipurpose infrastructure.
Rick Fosse
Rick’s ability to lead a group and engage and respect those who disagree with him is unique and was a great asset in my education.
—JEFF CRONE, FORMER STUDENT
An illuminated "Iowa" map created for the 2024 corn monument now hangs in the Seamans Center.
Students stand in the Iowa City pedestrian mall during Resilient Infrastructure Emergency Response, a class taught by Fosse.
{student success}
Seeing the experiment
Alumni support leads to new distillation column to enhance learning in CBE lab.
A new laboratory-scale distillation column is transforming how chemical and biochemical engineering students engage with complex chemical processes, a fundamental skill for their future careers.
Typically, students would learn on paper, running calculations to understand the process of separating liquids. The distillation column brings the process to life.
“Some students are really overwhelmed by separating liquids because it looks complicated,” said Bram Sueppel, a 2025 chemical engineering graduate from Iowa City who served as a teaching assistant. “Once you start working handson with the distillation column, students are surprised how quickly they understand.”
The cylindrical structure is made up of coiling tubes and trays or packing material that facilitates the separation process. CBE’s distillation column stands six feet tall and is glass-sided to allow students to visualize the process, while industrial columns can be multiple stories tall and the mechanics are hidden by steel casing.
Distillation columns are used to separate liquid mixtures based on differences in their vapor pressure, or boiling points. This process is essential in various industries, including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, as it allows for the efficient separation of liquids into their individual components.
Without distillation columns, these industries would struggle to produce pure substances necessary for their products and processes, such as
Jose Cordova (left) and Carlos Gutierrez (right) examine the new distillation column that is being used to enhance education in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.
separating crude oil into usable parts like kerosene, gasoline, and diesel.
“We are so excited for the students to use this new column. It significantly enhances our laboratories,” said Beth Rundlett, a chemical and biochemical engineering professor of practice who teaches topical courses including chemical reaction engineering and separations.
The new Pignat distillation column stands out due to its innovative, completely see-through design. This unique feature enables students to observe the inner workings of the column in real time, making the intricate concepts of separation much easier to understand.
This visual learning tool empowers students to experiment and observe firsthand, bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice. With this new addition, students are better equipped to dive into the world of distillation and elevate their understanding of chemical processes.
“You can observe a continuous cycle of evaporation, condensation, and separation,” said Carlos Gutierrez, a 2025 CBE graduate from Northlake, Illinois. “You go from learning in two dimensions to three dimensions.”
Since fall 2022, in partnership with the College of Engineering and the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, CBE has spearheaded major upgrades of its teaching labs. Thanks to the generous support of CBE alumni, more than $200,000 has been raised to date for upgrades, including the distillation column.
“On behalf of CBE’s faculty, staff, and students, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our alumni whose generous contributions made our teaching lab upgrade and purchase of equipment such as the distillation column possible,” said Jun Wang, DEO and professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, Lichtenberger Family Chair in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, and assistant director of Iowa Technology Institute.
Success ahead
BME graduate Hannah Vogts awarded Tau Beta Pi scholarship.
Hannah Vogts, a 2025 biomedical engineering graduate, was awarded a scholarship from Tau Beta Pi, which is among the oldest engineering honor societies in the country.
The North Liberty native, who studied cellular engineering, received the Record Scholarship, which is funded through a bequest from the late Leroy E. Record.
Tau Beta Pi scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and the promise of substantial contributions to the engineering profession, according to the organization.
Involvement consists of monthly meetings, volunteer events, social events, and a symposium, Vogts said.
Vogts was heavily engaged in activities at Iowa.
As the lead tutor at the Hanson Center for Communication, Vogts provided guidance in technical communication. Her research under the mentorship of BME professor Xuan Mu focused on working with silk fibroin from silkworms as a biomaterial, and she separately conducted computational biology research.
FROM MARINE TO ENGINEER
Serving in the U.S. Marines gave Arnold “Bill” Bangel III the focus he needed to pursue a PhD in industrial and systems engineering. Learning how to navigate a devastating loss gave him life perspective.
By day, Arnold “Bill” Bangel III guides undergraduate students through lab assignments at the University of Iowa College of Engineering. In his own campus lab, he is busy completing his doctoral studies in industrial and systems engineering and conducting research for the U.S. Department of Energy.
By evening, Bangel is 48 miles south of the Iowa City campus — and in a different world. On an acreage he rents in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, he is simply “Dad,” caring for his two school-aged kids, Maximus and Scarlet. Often he is engaging them in recreational activities such as zooming around on dirt bikes with the family’s yellow Labrador retriever trotting faithfully behind. He calls this his “throttle therapy,” which allows him to decompress and have fun.
Bangel, who will defend his PhD dissertation in the summer of 2025, was a nontraditional student by many measures.
After high school, the Indiana native dropped out of college and joined the U.S. Marines, serving nine years at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina while also getting married and starting a family. Using the GI Bill to fund his tuition, he eventually went back to school and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering technology at Western Illinois University. A year after beginning a doctoral program at Iowa, his wife, Tiffany, passed away suddenly, and he was thrust into single parenthood.
Navigating this unexpected loss, Bangel considered leaving the Iowa program. But the desire to provide a stable life for his children, coupled with support from his engineering colleagues, who stepped in to lead his classes, helped him stay the course.
“After my wife’s death, I took a step back and thought about everything. I realized that as long as I was able to finish my PhD, the jobs would bring more financial stability and more time off to be with my kids,” he said. “I just want to make sure I can be there to take care of my kids and support them.”
Finding a niche in engineering
When Bangel began searching for a PhD program, Iowa rose to the top with a friend from his undergraduate college enrolled and a good fit as a graduate research assistant in the Additive Manufacturing-Integrated Product Realization Laboratory. The lab investigates how to make additive manufacturing processes more sustainable and energy efficient.
“I was working with composites and fibers at my last university, and a lot of what I do now is composites and thermal plastics,” he said. “For the Department of Energy study, I am using recycled paper — midterms and finals and homework — to make feedstock for 3D printing.”
Using recycled paper in this way has huge implications, Bangel explained. It reduces the amount of nylon powder needed as a binding agent to create 3D prints, making the process cheaper. And it’s better for the environment.
Xuan Song, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, is Bangel’s advisor. He said Bangel’s experience and expertise will set him apart in the job market.
“Bill is highly skillful and knowledgeable in manufacturing and is always able to connect his practical experience to research and teaching,” he said.
I am a 37-year-old PhD student, and I am ready to be an ‘adult’ again — to start over in a new place and raise my kids to be the best that they can be.
—BILL BANGEL
Bangel has proven to be an effective teacher, being named the Outstanding Teaching Assistant in 2024.
Diego Robles, a junior industrial and systems engineering major from Puerto Rico, works with Bangel in the classroom and the lab. He said Bangel has been a wonderful mentor.
“Working with Bill is an amazing combination of being able to learn and being hands-on with the projects,” Robles said. “He knows what’s important for us to learn and is very approachable whenever we need help.”
As he approaches graduation, Bangel said he welcomes the next chapter, possibly working in a government research lab.
“I am a 37-year-old PhD student, and I am ready to be an ‘adult’ again — to start over in a new place and raise my kids to be the best that they can be,” he said.
The Bangels love on their 10-year-old Labrador retriever, Bane.
When not teaching or working in the lab, PhD candidate Bill Bangel engages in "throttle therapy," circling the rural acreage he shares with his two schoolaged children on dirt bikes.
From a family of dentists, an Iowa engineer emerges
Maquoketa native hopes to return to Iowa to work in health care.
Growing up in a family of dental professionals, Caiden Atienza seemed destined to follow in their footsteps. The Maquoketa native’s mom and one sister are dental hygienists, his father is a dentist, and another sister recently graduated from dental school. When Atienza enrolled at the University of Iowa, he focused on biology, a common major for those planning to attend dental school.
However, Atienza discovered his passion lay elsewhere. Reflecting on his initial choice, Atienza, a 2025 electrical and computer engineering graduate, said, “I didn’t like biology as much as I thought I would. In high school, I liked motorcycles and cars. I liked tearing things apart
and putting them back together, which is ultimately why I chose engineering.”
This newfound interest led him to the College of Engineering. While enrolled in Engineering Problem Solving, he discovered the Engineering Machine Shop. The shop's equipment and tools, such as the welder, sparked his curiosity and sharpened his skills. Shop supervisors Mike Hillman and Zane Brewer took notice and offered him a job.
Hillman called him a “standout student in our shop.” Brewer added, “He was very eager to learn and be involved in everything that was going on.”
Caiden Atienza poses behind the MR Linac, a machine that combines an MR scanner and a linear accelerator, allowing real-time imaging of patients' organs during treatment.
He saw the real-world benefits of his classroom equations while working on advanced medical equipment. The hands-on experience opened his eyes to the practical applications of engineering, particularly in the medical field.
A pivotal moment came when Atienza connected with Daniel Hyer, a medical physicist and professor of radiation oncology at the Carver College of Medicine. Hyer introduced Atienza to the MR Linac, a machine that combines an MR scanner and a linear accelerator, allowing real-time imaging of patients' organs during treatment. His work, which focused on adapting cancer treatment plans to reduce secondary problems, led to publishing research in Frontiers.
“Caiden's passion for engineering and physics is a perfect combination for anyone interested in pursuing a career in medical physics,” Hyer said. “He picks up new tasks quickly, demonstrates a strong ability to work independently, and approaches challenges with the practicality and determination of an engineer.”
The ability to combine a passion for engineering with his interest in health care rerouted Atienza’s career aspirations. Atienza has accepted an offer to pursue a PhD in medical physics in the Radiation Calibration Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin. The goal is to return to Iowa as a clinical medical physicist, combining research, teaching, and medical responsibilities.
Beyond his academic achievements, Atienza has been a student ambassador, guiding new students and families. Playing sports was a large part of his life in high school, and since coming to college he has enjoyed staying active by participating in intramural basketball and volleyball, further showcasing his wellrounded personality.
“I went through the full loop by starting college with a focus on health care, then changing to engineering, and eventually discovering a path that merges engineering and patient care,” Atienza said.
Life-changing experience
A study abroad trip to study water scarcity in rural India allowed a graduating engineering student to see the human impact of civil engineering.
Sydney Parks shared a first-hand account of a winterim study abroad experience called “Water Scarcity in Rural India, A Freshwater Crisis Case," focused on the benefits of water accessibility and engineering. The May 2025 civil engineering graduate has accepted a potion with Shive-Hattery.
Studying abroad in India last winter was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. The experience fulfilled both academic and personal goals of mine by giving me handson field experience with water quality testing in rural areas of an unfamiliar country. It also showed me how my degree in civil engineering can directly affect people's lives, livelihoods, and overall well-being.
During the trip December 21 through January 8 — I traveled to several villages in the Indian states of Haryana and Rajasthan with 16 classmates from the University of Iowa College of Engineering and Purdue University College of Engineering. Two professors, Dr. Allen Bradley and Dr. Venkatesh Merwade, guided and supported us throughout. While some villages were surrounded by a peaceful atmosphere of mountains, lush mustard fields, and roaming livestock, many of the homesteads in the villages have limited access to fresh drinking water.
Our team worked with the SM Sehgal Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to improving the lives of people in rural India. We tested the villagers’ water supplies for total dissolved solids, nitrates, pH levels, and coliform bacteria. Accompanied by Hindi translators, we also interviewed villagers to better understand their challenges associated with access to freshwater sources near their homes. The Sehgal Foundation will use our research to implement positive changes in these rural communities.
The kindness and unity within the rural communities we visited had a strong impact on me. People there work together to support each other’s families and improve the lives of everyone in their villages. The contrast between the densely populated, often chaotic city of Delhi where I could feel the “every man for himself” mentality and the nearby villages was striking. However, in both areas, access to necessities can still be a major challenge. This experience reinforced for me the importance of compassion and resilience in using water resource engineering to overcome challenges.
I once had thought studying abroad would be too difficult with my major, but I am incredibly grateful I ended up finding this opportunity. By stepping outside my comfort zone, I grew personally, gained a global perspective, and can still appreciate the resilience of the communities we worked
{always a hawkeye}
Alumni leaders in industry
Iowa Engineering alumni hold some of the top positions in companies across the nation, fueled in their careers by an education that started at the University of Iowa. Learn more about some of our distinguished alumni.
Kelly (right) and Valerie (left) Ortberg participate in the 2018 Homecoming Parade.
Brunk leads Collins Aerospace
In July, Troy Brunk, who earned a degree in industrial engineering in 1992, was named president of Collins Aerospace, a $26 billion aerospace and defense giant with more than 80,000 employees and 300 sites around the world. The company is among the largest employers in Iowa.
“Troy’s decades of industry experience and leadership make him the right person to lead Collins into its next phase of growth,” said Christopher Calio, RTX president and CEO. RTX is the parent company of Collins.
In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering, Brunk earned a Master of Business Administration at the University of Iowa in 2005. Brunk has given back to the College of Engineering over the years, including serving on the advisory board for the former Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.
Fiddelke a top official at Target
In January, Target announced Michael Fiddelke, a 1999 industrial engineering graduate, as the new executive vice president and chief operating officer, overseeing nearly 2,000 stores, its global supply chain network, fulfillment services, and flight services.
Fiddelke reflected on the value of an engineering background in his career, which at Target started as an intern in 2003.
“In industrial engineering, it’s all about making your processes better and better over time,” Fiddelke said at the time of the promotion. In addition, Fiddelke has served on the board of the Minnesota Children’s Museum, worked at Deloitte Consulting, LLP, and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Fiddelke was part of the 2023 class of Honored Engineering Alumni, receiving the Alumni Merit Award for the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Ortberg heads Boeing
Wiitala
takes
In August, Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1982, was named president and chief executive officer of Virginiabased Boeing. The Fortune 500 airplane maker is one of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturers.
Backed by a 35-year career in the aerospace industry, mostly at Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), Ortberg was hired to lead the 170,000-employee company through a consequential period.
Ortberg supports many College of Engineering and STEM initiatives, was a member of the College of Engineering Advisory Board, and has worked closely with the college on a multitude of projects
senior role at Alaska Airlines
John Wiitala was named the vice president of maintenance and engineering at Alaska Airlines — considered a principal leadership role — in January 2025.
The 1988 mechanical engineering graduate is leading the team maintaining the highest levels of safety and compliance with more than 237 mainline Boeing aircraft across multiple maintenance bases, according to the company.
Wiitala’s engineering background propelled him in roles including tech operations, safety, technical services, director of engineering, integration, and growth of multi-fleet operations as part of an airline merger.
’75 Remembering A LEGACY ’75 Remembering A LEGACY
ME alumnus Joseph W.J. Robinson’s Iowa degree has lifelong impact.
When Joseph W.J. Robinson, a young African American man from Tampa, Florida, arrived at the University of Iowa in 1972, he faced culture — and weather — shock. He came to campus on a James Van Allen Physics Scholarship, leaving behind his girlfriend and driving through Mississippi and Arkansas to reach Iowa City.
Now a credentialed professional engineer, Robinson said going to college wasn’t entirely in his hands. “My mother didn’t ask if I wanted to go to college. She said, ‘You are going to college,’ and she filled out the paperwork,” he recalled.
Thelma A. Robinson, a teacher with three college degrees and several professional certificates, was determined to see her children succeed. After being rebuffed in Florida, she pursued a post-graduate degree in education administration at Iowa, setting the stage for her children to follow.
The best damn thing that happened to me in my life was coming to Iowa.
—JOSEPH W.J. ROBINSON
Family Support and Academic Challenges
At one point, Thelma and three of her children lived in campus residence halls. Family support helped Joseph acclimate to Iowa. He walked on to the track and field team and became a four-year letterman under Francis Cretzmeyer. For many years, he held a top 10 school record in the long jump.
Initially aspiring to be a sports broadcaster, an occupational test suggested Robinson had an aptitude for mechanical engineering. Despite academic challenges, an athletics department tutoring program, Iowa’s special support services, and friends in the Theta Tau engineering fraternity helped him navigate the rigorous curriculum.
Living on 25-cent flapjacks from Hamburg Inn No. 1 and utilizing resources like the African American House and International House, Robinson thrived. He learned the importance of perseverance, often studying alone in the student union while others attended games. His academic performance improved significantly, earning him the Archie Alexander Fellowship. He excelled in thermodynamics, fluids, and heat transfer, laying the foundation for his engineering career.
Iowa.” The quality education and experiences at Iowa shaped his career and life, making engineering a way of life for him.
Honored Engineering Alumni Awards
The College of Engineering announced the 2025 Honored Engineering Alumni class during a banquet at Kinnick Stadium on April 10, 2025. The awardees exemplify the distinguished career paths undertaken by Iowa Engineering students. The award ceremony concluded a day filled with tours, demonstrations, and interactions with faculty, staff, and students.
Marc C. Schneider speaks with students Sydney Parks and Gabe Baird during a senior design showcase for the engineering alumni awardees.
Ann McKenna (left) greets Mark Johnson while Michael Farrell looks on during an awards banquet for engineering alumni at Kinnick Stadium.
Honored ALUMNI
Distinguished Engineering Alumni Academy
Michael Farrell BSE, 2000
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Ron Kaminski
BSE, 1992
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Jaymie Lynn Oehler BSE, 1995
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dr. Aalok Sahai
BSE, 1997; MD, 2001
Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering
Sharon Tinker
BSCHE, 1980
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Robert W. Whitmore
BSE, 1986
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Marc C. Schneider
BSE, 1989; MS, 1991; PhD, 1995
Dr. Mark E. Johnson
BA, 1973; MS, 1974; PhD, 1976
Shamus Roeder
BS, 2017; BSE, 2017; MS, 2019
Alumni news
1972
Mulukutla Bala Subrahmanyam (72MS, 75MS, 75PHD) joined Raytheon Missiles & Defense as senior principal guidance and control engineer.
1981
Todd Howard Steinberg (81BSE) was inducted as a fellow of the American College of Radiology.
1982
Becky Svatos (82BSCE) retired from Stanley Consultants and became an adjunct lecturer in the University of Iowa College of Engineering.
1985
Rhett Livengood (85BSCHE) was named national candidate chapter director of Theta Tau, a professional collegiate engineering fraternity.
1986
Thomas Seaberg (86BSE, 15MBA) launched a new business, Seaberg Quality Consulting, LLC, and started a position as principal quality engineer at BAE Systems.
1990
Christopher Martineau Miller (90BSE, 92MS, 95PHD) retired from the University of Akron after 30 years as a civil engineering professor, and the business he founded, Fontus Blue, was acquired by USALCO.
1992
Alan Kallmeyer (92MS, 95PHD) was named dean of the College of Engineering at North Dakota State University.
1998
Binh Tran (98PHD) was named chief academic officer at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
1999
Sheldon Tan (99PHD) was inducted as a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
2000
Matt Johnson (00BSE) accepted a position as the assistant public works director for engineering at the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
2003
Jin Wen (03PHD) was named head of the Penn State University’s Department of Architectural Engineering.
2004
Steven DellaBetta (04BSE) started a position with Engie as a senior project manager.
James Tian (04MS) was named associate editor at Mathematical Reviews.
2013
Muhammad Mahboob Ur Rahman (13PHD) led a project developing a novel non-invasive and non-contact sensing mechanisms for dehydration monitoring while on sabbatical as a research scientist with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.
2014
2022
Megan Lindmark (22PHD) started a nonprofit called Mangrove Water to provide technical assistance to drinking water service providers.
2023
Hunter Zieser (23BSE) led the set-up for radiology, operating room, emergency, and ortho/sports medicine imaging equipment at the University of Iowa Health Care’s new North Liberty campus.
2024
Joshua Steven Anderson (24BSE) accepted a position as pace rotational associate at BMW in South Carolina.
Paul Wittau (13BSE) was appointed county engineer of Johnson County, Iowa.
Ben Goerdt (14BSE) was named head of engineering at Claimable, a company that uses AI to help patients appeal insurance denial.
Ryan James Stolley (14BSE) is a cloud application development engineer at Intel in Chandler, Arizona.
2015
Eric Scott Mortensen (15BSE) is pursuing a PhD in water and climate risk specializing in flood risk management, disaster risk reduction, and social vulnerability assessment from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
2018
Hayder Abdulkhaleq Alalwan (18PHD) is head of the renewable energy techniques department at Middle Technical University in Baghdad, Iraq.
2020
Joshua Deutsch (20BSE) began a position as radio frequency verification engineer at Skyworks Solutions in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
2021
Garret Hinson (21BSE) was promoted to aerospace design engineer for the University of Iowa Department of Physics and Astronomy where he has been working on the TRACERS mission.
Shaun Matthew Richter (24BSE) accepted a position as software engineer at Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Cristian Sanchez (24BSE) began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Sayre Satterwhite (24BSE) is pursuing a PhD in naval architecture and marine engineering at the University of Michigan.
Carson Soles (24BSE, 25MS) began a position as mechanical engineer at KEDbluestone in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nur Selin Sucu (24BSE) accepted a position as manufacturing engineering ECDP at HNI in Muscatine, Iowa.
Priyasha Kaustubh Apte (24BSE) accepted a position as manufacturing engineering co-op at Tenneco in Burlington, Iowa.
Daniel H. Bereman (24BSE) accepted a position as mechanical engineer 1 at KEDbluestone in Johnston, Iowa.
Matthew Daniel Dutton (24BSE) accepted a position as software engineer at BAE Systems in Hudson, New Hampshire.
Luke Michael Fanella (24BSE) accepted a position as project engineer at ZipPak in Carol Stream, Illinois.
Clayton James Garmon (24BSE) accepted a position as mechanical engineer at Design Engineers in Madison, Wisconsin, and began an MS at the University of Michigan.
David Haro (24BSE) accepted a position as product engineer at Klein Tools in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
Braden Thomas Jensen (24BSE) accepted a position as supply chain associate at PepsiCo in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Evan Matthew Johnson (24BSE) accepted a position as associate R&D engineer at Medical Murray in North Barrington, Illinois.
Kaitlynn Kimmel (24BSE) accepted a position as civil engineer 1 at IMEG in Bettendorf, Iowa.
Kendall Maloney (24BSE) accepted a position as civil/rail engineering specialist at STV in Chicago, Illinois.
Blake William Misfeldt (24BSE) joined the United States Army as an active duty second lieutenant.
Zachary Edward Thomas (24BSE) accepted a position as process engineer at East Dubuque Nitrogen Fertilizers in East Dubuque, Illinois.
Nicole Becca Tirrito (24BSE) accepted a position as PE 1 at F.H. Paschen in Chicago, Illinois.
2025
Kimberly Alvarado (25BSE) accepted a position as structural engineer at Westbrook in Spring Green, Wisconsin.
Ricky Alvarez (25BSE) accepted a position as manufacturing and engineering associate at General Mills in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Caiden Atienza (25BSE) began a PhD at the University of Wisconsin.
Gabriel Baird (25BSE) accepted a position as HVAC sales engineer at Johnson Controls in Des Moines, Iowa.
Miranda Basart (25BSE) began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Nathaniel Bastianen (25BSE) accepted a position as building intelligence and integration advisor at IMEG in Chicago, Illinois.
Lacey Beck (25BSE) accepted a position as supply chain associate at Quaker Oats in Bridgeview, Illinois.
Aaron Begy (25BSE) accepted a position as transportation engineer 1 at Clark Dietz in Chicago, Illinois.
Matthew Botello (25BSE) accepted a position as field engineer at Turner Construction in Des Moines, Iowa.
Grant Caltrider (25BSE) accepted a position as civil engineer at ShiveHattery in Iowa City, Iowa.
Riley Coulter (25BSE) accepted a position as associate process engineer at International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Caleb Coulthard (25BSE) accepted a position as safety analysis engineer at Fauske & Associates in Burr Ridge, Illinois.
Ethan Cox (25BSE) accepted a position as EDP engineer at John Deere in Des Moines, Iowa.
Seth Croonquist (25BSE) accepted a position as a Leadership Development Program engineer at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut.
MyKayla Davis (25BSE) accepted a position as a member of the robotics and automation engineering development program at Caterpillar Inc. in Chillicothe, Illinois.
Tommy Dillon (25BSE) accepted a position as project engineer 1 at F. H. Paschen in Chicago, Illinois.
Jenna Dinges (25BSE) accepted a position as project engineer at Engineering Enterprises, Inc. in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
Ainsley Dodd (25BSE) accepted a position as field engineer at Kiewit Construction in Seattle, Washington.
Haley Downe (25BSE) accepted a position as civil engineer at Snyder & Associates in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Brandon Draper (25BSE) accepted a position as associate engineer at Olsson in Des Moines, Iowa.
Michael Duax (25BSE) accepted a position as biomedical engineer at Atirix Medical Systems in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Derek Durst (25BSE) accepted a position as APM at Siemens in St Louis, Missouri.
Erin Elshoff (25BSE) accepted a position as civil engineer 1 at Muscatine Power and Water in Muscatine, Iowa.
Ivan Fisher (25BSE) accepted a position as summer intern at Guernsey in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Dylan Freeman (25BSE) accepted a position as traffic engineer at KLOA, Inc. in Rosemont, Illinois.
Giuseppe Gianforte (25BSE) began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Claire Graham (25BSE) began a PhD at Mayo Clinic School of Biomedical Sciences.
Nicholas Hageman (25BSE) accepted a position as software engineer at Apple in San Diego, California.
Eisfelder Halle (25BSE) accepted a position as civil EIT at HDR in Des Moines, Iowa.
Blake Hayden (25BSE) accepted a position as assistant structural engineer at Burns & McDonnell in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Andy Hein (25BSE) accepted a position as associate engineer at UCC Environmental in Waukegan, Illinois.
Elliot Heinrichs (25BSE) began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Vincent Hodges (25BSE) began an MS at the University of Minnesota.
Trenton Hohn (25BSE) began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Nathan Hollett (25BSE) accepted a position as industrial engineer at Collins Aerospace in Coralville, Iowa.
Colin Houts (25BSE) began a PhD at the University of Minnesota.
Hayden Hoxmeier (25BSE) accepted a position as civil analyst at Kimley-Horn in Chicago, Illinois.
Ben Hughes (25BSE) accepted a position as civil design professional at Shive-Hattery in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Beyza Ilerisoy (25BSE) began a DDS program at the University of Iowa.
Michael Jennett (25BSE) accepted a position as project engineer at USG (US Gypsum) in East Chicago, Illinois.
Ellie Johnson (25BSE) accepted a position as electrical engineer at IDT in Coralville, Iowa.
Austin Jones (25BSE) accepted a position as management development associate - engineering at Purina in Clinton, Iowa.
Jacob Kitzmann (25BSE) began a PhD at the University of Iowa.
Jonah Koch (25BSE) accepted a position as electrical engineer designer 1 at IMEG in Rock Island, Illinois.
Elise Koltonowski (25BSE) accepted a position as process engineer - MEDP at GE Aerospace in Huntsville, Alabama.
Joseph Krueger (25BSE) accepted a position as robotics engineer at John Deere in Urbandale, Iowa.
Ean Lovett (25BSE) began an MS and PhD at the University of Iowa.
Jonathan Luman (25BSE) accepted a position as junior civil engineer/ geological engineer at TRC Companies in Madison, Wisconsin.
Cullen McDermott (25BSE) began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Xandra McGlasson (25BSE) began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Allison Miranda (25BSE) accepted a position as project engineer at Sambatek in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Guillermo Ng yi (25BSE) began an MS program at the University of Iowa.
Sarah Onysio (25BSE) began a PhD at Duke University.
Sebastian Parecattil (25BSE) accepted a position as software engineer 1 at Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Thomas Parisi (25BSE) began an MS at Northwestern University.
Sydney Parks (25BSE) accepted a position as civil engineer at ShiveHattery in Iowa City, Iowa.
Matt Pauling (25BSE) began an MS at the University of Iowa.
Joey Phillips (25BSE) accepted a position as technical solutions engineer at Epic Systems in Verona, Wisconsin.
Brian Pietrzykowski (25BSE) accepted a position as asphalt plant project coordinator at Payne and Dolan, a Walbec Group Company in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Patrick Preece (25BSE) began the operations leadership development program at BAE Systems, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and an MS at Purdue University.
Quinn Radeke (25BSE) accepted a position as field engineer at Turner Construction in Des Moines, Iowa.
Cheryl Reuben (25BSE) accepted a position as associate consultant at Trinity Consultants in Des Moines, Iowa.
Brooke Scanlon (25BSE) accepted a position as intelligent operations engineer at Pella Corporation in Pella, Iowa.
Mia Scoblic (25BSE) began an MS and PhD at the University of Iowa.
Ashley Sheehan (25BSE) accepted a position as associate process engineer at Roquette in Keokuk, Iowa.
Carter Smith (25BSE) accepted a position as aviation on-site representative at McClure Engineering in Clive, Iowa.
Jacob Smith (25BSE) accepted a position as industrial engineer at Collins Aerospace in Coralville, Iowa.
Ben Soldwisch (25BSE) accepted a position as staff engineer at McClure Engineering in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Tyler Steffen (25BSE) accepted a position as radio frequency verification engineer at Skyworks Solutions in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Ethan Stigler (25BSE) accepted a position as process engineer at Roquette in Keokuk, Iowa.
Cole Swanson (25BSE) accepted a position as technical solutions engineer at Epic in Madison, Wisconsin.
Grayson Talaski (25BSE) accepted a position as customs engineer at restor3d in Durham, North Carolina.
Jerin Ugrin (25BSE) accepted a position as civil engineer at Foth in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Andres Valdez Perez (25BSE) accepted a position as scientist 1 at Medtronic in Mounds View, Minnesota.
Kenna Vanorny (25BSE) accepted a position as embedded systems software engineer 1 at Medtronic in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Baylor Verbrugge (25BSE) accepted a position as civil engineer at Snyder & Associates in Ankeny, Iowa.
Gianna Vitale (25BSE) accepted a position as automation engineer 1 at OSF Healthcare in Peoria, Illinois.
Sabrina Vlk (25BSE) began a PhD at the University of Iowa.
Gabriella Wagy (25BSE) began an MS at Northwestern University.
Maximilian Wernke (25BSE) accepted a position as manufacturing engineer at Midwest Manufacturing in Shelby, Iowa.
Sydney Williams (25BSE) began a design engineering co-op at Skyworks Solutions in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and an MS at the University of Iowa.
Nolan Yoerger (25BSE) accepted a position as ELDP engineer 1 at Boston Scientific in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
CANDIDATES GRADUATING WITH A SECOND MAJOR
CANDIDATES GRADUATING WITH DISTINCTION
CANDIDATES GRADUATING WITH A MINOR
CANDIDATES GRADUATING WITH A CERTIFICATE
CANDIDATES GRADUATING WITH UNIVERSITY HONORS
CANDIDATES GRADUATING WITH ENGINEERING HONORS
{in memoriam}
1940s
Richard F. Bukacek (49BSCHE)
Walter G. Mollman (49BSME)
1950s
John K. Hoover (51BA, 77MS)
Harold P. Wendler (53BSCE)
Charles L. Larsen (54BSCE)
William R. Zaruba (54BSME)
Roger A. Starner (55BSME)
Donald G. Tweed (55BSME)
Ted F. Dunnington (57BSME, 60MS)
Jack J. Hill (57BSME)
Donald W. Campbell (58BSEE)
James W. Jewett (58BSME)
Paul E. Pentony (58BSME)
Warren C. Fackler (59BSME, 69MS)
Franklin D. Hockett (59BSEE)
Roy L. Pollock (59BSEE)
James L. Wells (59BSCE)
Glenn C. Zimmerman (59BSME)
1960s
Irvin F. Gerks (60BSME)
Melvin J. Holubar (60BSME, 69MS)
Harlan J. Nieuwsma (60BSEE)
Harold E. Smith (60BSCE)
Charles D. Bendixen (61BSME, 66MD)
Irvin Harold Housley (61BSCE)
Malcolm G. Risk (61BSEE)
Robert I. Risley (61BSME)
Lee E. Tucker (61BSME)
William D. Ashton (62BSCE, 63MS)
Roger G. Corman (62BSME)
Roger N. Klaas (62BSME)
James L. Long (62MS)
Gael E. Miller (62BSCHE)
Richard D. Eichner (63BSEE)
William L. Carson (64BSME, 68PhD)
Clifford L. Fudge (64BSME)
James Niday (64BSEE)
Floyd L. Krapfl (65BSCE)
Wayne L. Paulson (65PhD)
John C. McLane (66BS, 66BSCE)
Kenneth G. Riddle (66MS)
Larry A. Erb (68BSIE)
Paul E. Monohon (68BSCHE)
Thomas W. Moore (68BSCHE, 72MS)
Donald L. Logsdon (69MS)
Vern Reding (69BSCE)
1970s
Richard L. Peck (70BSCE)
Jack C. Ginther (73BSEE)
Gary R. McAllister (74BSCE)
Randall L. Eichelberger (76BSEE)
Richard A. Betterley (77BSCHE)
Michael E McDermott (77MS)
Robert S. Hansen (78MS)
Francis K. Farmer (79BSCE)
1980s
Robert M. Cooley (80BSME)
Paul V. Baumgarth (84BSE)
Thomas M. Cook (87PhD)
Stephen J. Forret (87MS)
Harihar Rajaram (87MS)
Scott A. Kacena (88BSE, 01MBA)
James E. Kleeman (88BSE)
1990s
Michael J. Steffen (96BSE)
Remembering William D. Ashton
1939-2024
Engineering alum known for service and philanthropy has died at 84
A College of Engineering alumnus who was among 30 members and four generations of the Ashton family to attend Iowa over a 90-year span died in 2024 following injuries sustained in a car crash.
William “Bill” David Ashton, 84, leaves behind a legacy of leadership in engineering and giving back to his community both at home and at the University of Iowa.
“We at the University of Iowa College of Engineering are deeply saddened by the news of Bill Ashton’s passing,” said Ann McKenna, engineering dean and Roy J. Carver Professor of Engineering.
“Bill remained a fixture of the university and college long after he graduated. We are forever grateful for his leadership in philanthropy as well as modeling how an engineer can positively impact the world.”
The lifelong Davenport resident, son of Frank and Edna (Wessels) Ashton, followed in his father’s and uncles’ footsteps to Iowa, earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1962 followed by a master’s degree in 1963. His brothers Jim and George would also earn degrees from Iowa Engineering.
In 2021, Bill Ashton reflected upon his time at Iowa, citing the “unique and close relationship between students and faculty, staff, and administrators,” an outstanding technical education, and engineering ethics.
The former U.S. Army Ranger and combat engineer officer began Ashton Engineering, Inc., which took on projects across Iowa and the globe, including the iconic High Trestle Trail Bridge in Madrid, Iowa. Up until his death, Ashton lent his passion for engineering and problem solving professionally and in volunteer capacities.
Throughout his career, he kept the University of Iowa close to his heart.
He and his brother Jim helped create the Ashton Cross Country Course in honor of Francis Cretzmeyer and Ashton Prairie in Iowa City. The support of Bill Ashton and his brothers also led to the creation of the William D. Ashton Professorship in Civil Engineering, the George D. Ashton Professorship in Hydroscience and Engineering, and the James E. Ashton Professorship in Engineering.
Bill Ashton was inducted into Iowa’s Distinguished Engineering Alumni Academy in 2008, and the University recognized the entire Ashton family for its dedication and philanthropy with the Family Spirit Award in 2022.
Ashton leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Ann (Milligan) Ashton, brother Jim, daughters Susan (Todd) McCloy and Patricia (Erik) Rolfstad, son Steven (Claudia) Ashton, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, David Ashton, David’s wife Kay (Eckerle) Ashton, and his brother George.
Remembering Wayne L. Paulson
1934-2024
Longtime professor helped shape Iowa’s environmental engineering program
A longtime College of Engineering professor who helped expand Iowa’s civil engineering program to include a modern environmental engineering track has died at 90.
Wayne L. Paulson, born September 5, 1934, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is remembered as a beloved environmental engineer, devout Lutheran, and family man. He passed away on September 29, 2024.
After graduating from high school, he would serve in the U.S. Navy and earn degrees in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Coming to Iowa to teach and for doctoral studies in environmental studies (64PHD), Paulson would embark on a near-40-year career, leaving a lasting impact on the
Iowa’s reputation as a leader in environmental engineering research grew, heavily influenced by Paulson and his focus areas of water quality, wastewater treatment, and hazardous waste management. His research in fine pore aeration systems for the activated sludge process helped revolutionize the energy efficiency of wastewater treatment plants.
Paulson is also remembered fondly as a compassionate mentor who cared deeply about the personal and professional growth of those around him. He would work with more than 1,500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students while at Iowa. He believed in hands-on learning, field experiences, connecting academics and real-world applications, and getting to know his students.
“Paulson worked tirelessly as an inventive educator and matchmaker between veteran college alumni and aspiring engineering students embarking on their careers,” reads the introduction for his Legacy of Iowa Engineering induction in 2008. “He helped develop the undergraduate option in environmental engineering and used his vast network of graduates and colleagues to engage students in countless field trips throughout the Midwest.”
Passions for students, education, and the environment live on today through the Wayne L. Paulson Scholarship. It is awarded to a civil and environmental engineering student with an interest in environmental studies and in pursuing a career in the environmental engineering profession.
After retiring, Paulson and his wife, Nancy, whom he married in 1957, returned to live in Wisconsin and enjoyed nature, family, and travel.
Paulson is survived by Nancy; his three children, Andrew (Dawn), Jeanette (Gayle), and Ellen (Erik); eight grandchildren, Julie, Ben, Jack, Kate, Srivalli, Sitara, Luke, and Anna; and five great-grandchildren.
