Dear Friends of Civil and Environmental Engineering, | |
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First, I would like to congratulate the graduates of our civil and environmental engineering class of 2024! This year, there were nearly 300 NJIT graduates from our department between undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, the depart-ment held its the 15 Commencement and Awards Celebration in May. The event gives the department the ability to acknowledge and honor those individuals who have consistently exemplified the highest standards of excellence within civil, environmental and transportation engineering at NJIT. The annual tradition recognizes those who have gone above and beyond to uphold the values defining our academic community.
Also deserving of recognition is our student lead Steel Bridge team who placed 13th at this year’s National finals after placing first in the Regionals. Held at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., which NJIT competed against teams 47 other colleges and universities from across North America. The Highlanders had a build time of nine minutes and 38 seconds and a construction cost of $12,368,539.03. The highest rankings the team received were for construction speed and lightness, in which the team ranked 8th.
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We welcome two new members of our department, Maria Elena Botei and Thomas Hickey. Botei comes to NJIT from a diverse background of psychology, education and media. She’s a former clinical psychologist with more than 15 years experience in higher education. Maria has worked and taught at three different universities in New Jersey and New York. She joins us as the department’s new Administrative Assistant.
Hickey joins us as the department’s new Director of Labs for Education. He is an alumnus, graduating from NJIT with a bachelor in civil engineering this past May. You might recognize him as co-captain of the Steel Bridge team, leading us to Nationals the past two years. He worked in the construction industry assisting in project management, and has experience in field and lab testing.
I would like to extend a thank you to those in our department who are actively engaged in fostering the next generation of civil engi-neers. From elementary school outreach by students and alumni to pre-college programs, our department is ensuring that the future of civil engineering is bright.
I invite you to keep reading as you’ll discover numerous stories highlighting the depart-ment’s achievements of students, faculty, staff and alumni. As always, I sincerely appreciate and welcome your support of our depart-ment’s academic, research and service initiatives.
Thank you,
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Newsletter Contents
- In The News
- Department Highlights
- Department Research
- Student Spotlight
- Faculty Highlights
- Alumni Highlights
- Extracurriculars
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Publications
- Recent Grant Awards
- Our Advisory Board
- Newsletter Credit
- Special Thanks
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Opportunities for Students
We collect information on various opportunities for students and alumni, such as internships, co-ops, scholarships, and other job postings. Feel free to contact us with any potential new openings at cee@njit.edu!
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Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2024! | |
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This year, we celebrate our department's nearly 300 graduates! Congratulations to our accomplished undergraduates (177), masters students (92)
and Ph.D. students (7).
Your hard work and dedication truly make us proud. Well done!
NJIT reported that more than 3,300 students earned bachelor's and graduate degrees at the university's 108th commencement, held on May 15 at NJIT's Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center and May 17 at Prudential Center.
https://commencement.njit.edu/
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Right to left: CEE's Chairman, Taha Marhaba, with graduate doctoral students and prof. Zhang | |
Novel Pre-Treatment Process Enhances PFAS
Removal from Drinking Water
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In a groundbreaking effort to tackle the pervasive issue of PFAS contamination in drinking water, a research team at New Jersey Institute of Technology has received funding from the Bureau of Reclamation's Desalination and Water Purification Research program. This highly competitive grant, awarded to only eight projects out of over eighty applicants, supports their innovative project titled "Enhanced Coagulation for the Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances using Hydrophobic Ion Pairing Approach Project." | |
Left to right: Graduate students Afaq Ahmad and Bishnu Pandey, with Arjun Venkatesan (PI and technical lead) and Will Pennock (co-PI for the coagulation work). | |
The team's novel approach involves a pre-treatment process that significantly enhances the performance of existing GAC systems. By adding a chemical to the influent water that forms hydrophobic complexes with PFAS molecules, both short-chain and long-chain PFAS can be more effectively adsorbed onto the GAC surfaces.
This process not only improves removal efficiency but also offers a cost-effective solution that can be readily implemented in existing water treatment facilities.
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While the pilot testing has just begun, laboratory tests have shown promising results. The pre-treatment approach has demonstrated a significant improvement in the time to breakthrough for PFAS removal. For instance, the time to 50% breakthrough for PFBS, a regulated short-chain PFAS, was improved by approximately 170%. | | | | |
NJIT Alumni Honored with Entrepreneur of the Year New Jersey Awards | |
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Two alumni from New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), William Mascharka '64 and Carlos P. Oliver '77, have been named Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 New Jersey Award winners. This prestigious award, presented by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US), recognizes their exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in high-growth companies.
William Mascharka, CEO of Frazier Industrial Company, and Carlos P. Oliver, president of Frazier, were selected by an independent panel of judges composed of previous award winners, leading CEOs and other notable business leaders. They were evaluated on their ability to create long-term value, their commitment to purpose and their demonstration of growth and substantial impact.
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Carlos P. Oliver, who was born in Cuba and immigrated to the U.S. at age three, joined Frazier in 1982 as a sales mana-ger. He graduated from NJIT in 1977 with a degree in Civil Enginee-ring, after which he gained valuable expe-rience at the Hackensack Meadowlands Develop-ment Commission and Hartz Mountain Indus-tries. Oliver also played four years of baseball at NJIT and served as an assistant coach. His leadership at Frazier saw him rise to vice president of sales in 1990 and president in 2001.
Read Full Article
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Griffin Fieseler Signs Professional Contract to Play Volleyball in Denmark | |
NJIT men's volleyball alum Griffin Fieseler announced that he has signed a contract to play professional volleyball for Hvidovre VK Volleyball Klub in Denmark. Fieseler, NJIT's starting setter, concluded his colle-giate career compiling 2,008 assists, 322 digs, 99 total blocks and 42 service aces in 246 sets played. | | |
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In 2021, Fieseler earned EIVA Honorable Mention and was named to the OffTheBlock Freshman All-American team. Fieseler, named to the 2024 EIVA All-Academic team, graduated in May 2024 with a civil engineering degree, boosting a 3.973 cumu-lative grade point average.
Read More
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NJIT Steel Bridge Places #13 at Nationals | |
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After placing first overall at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Metropolitan Regional Competition back in April, the NJIT Steel Bridge Team advanced to National's. The competition was held this year at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, LA.
The team was met in Louisiana by their advisor, Professor Matthew Bandelt and NJIT ASCE Student Chapter Advisor Stephen George.
The NJIT Steel Bridge Team assembled their bridge in nine minutes and 38 seconds, landing them in eight place. The build team consisted of co-captains Thomas Hickey and Michael Rohe, as well as Keith Lakeman and Shree Patel. Alternate builders were Lissette Azcona and Bruna Wuitik. Also present for the building of the bridge was Chairman of the Department and Professor, Taha Marhaba.
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The bridge weighed 231.7 pounds, making it the eight lightest bridge. It was loaded with 2,500 pounds of L-beams and its deflection measured at 1.57 inches. Deflection is the direct measurement of the displacement of a point in the bridge. For the competition two different points of defection are measured in inches and their absolute values are added together for an aggregate deflection. This placed the bridge at number 19 for stiffness.
The team placed 13th out of a total of 47 competing schools. This is a significant improvement from the previous year where the team placed 22nd at nationals. This year, the results are: Overall - 13th; Construction Speed - 8th; Lightness- 8th; Aesthetics - 28th; Stiffness - 19th; Cost Estimate - 14th; Economy - 13th, and Efficiency - 15th.
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The build team consisted of co-captains Thomas Hickey (first row, to the right) and Michael Rohe (second row, to the right), as well as Keith Lakeman and Shree Patel. Alternate builders were Lissette Azcona and Bruna Wuitik. | |
Meet our New Team Members | |
Maria Elena Botei, MA
Administrative Assistant II
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Maria Elena Botei has over 15 years of experience working in higher education as an administrative assistant and adjunct professor at three universities in New Jersey and New York. | |
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Botei is a former clinical psychologist from Romania, certified in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Albert Ellis Institute in New York.
She also has 10 years working in the newspapers and advertising industry in Romania. In 2007, Botei came to the U.S. to develop a joint master's program in educational psychology at Bloomfield College. She taught for the next seven years in New York as an adjunct professor of social media at two business schools from Manhattan. During the pandemic she came back to work in New Jersey at Optum. She joined to the CEE family on August 5, 2024.
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Thomas Hickey
Director of Labs for Education
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Thomas Hickey joined the team department as the Director of Labs for Education, where he is responsible for all CEE teaching laboratories and operations.
Hickey received a B.S. in civil engineering from NJIT in May, 2024. During his undergraduate studies, he served as a co-captain of the student steel bridge team for two years
Thomas is versed in various fabrication techniques and hands-on work.
He acquired his skills through his experience working as a carpenter, taking vocational courses including welding, CNC machining, 3D modeling and 3D printing throughout his early educational career.
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Hickey has also worked in the construction industry assisting in project management, running proof load tests and ensuring field operations requirements are met. He is also familiar with all civil engineering laboratory and experimental testing equipment. Hickey’s wide array of skills, ability to solve physical problems make him a valuable addition to the CEE department. | | |
15th Annual John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Awards | |
At the end of each academic year, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering honors those who go above and beyond for our community the awards celebration. These students recognized exhibit outstanding academic performance, leadership, public service and/or volunteer activities that bring distinction to the department, and exceptional professional achievements by alumni. Congratulations to this year's awardees! | |
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Ahmad Afzali
First Year Student Award presented by
Dr. Taha F. Marhaba
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Ahmad Afzali was born and raised in Afghanistan. He speaks four languages and moved to the United States about five years ago. He graduated from John E. Dwyer Technology Academy and is currently dual majoring in civil engineering and concrete industry management with a minor in business.
Afzali finished his first year with a 3.61 GPA and helped the 3D Printed Bridge team secure first place at Regionals. The team had no returning members this year, and Afzali was the core member of this year's team, having joined at the earliest possible time and participating in the most meetings.
He was quick to bring new ideas to the discussions and made efforts to ensure the bridge had the best possible aesthetics.
Afzali has already expressed his intent to return to the team next year and take an even more central role in the team and is developing the skills needed to design the bridge.
Afzali is enthusiastic about the future and working as a civil engineer in the construction and concrete industry.
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Antonio Petito is a driven and accomplished civil engineering student with a 3.4 GPA.
Petito has a keen interest in engineering and design, has excelled academically, and has demonstrated exceptional leadership in various roles on and off campus.
Petito has participated in student organizations and extracurricular activities, including serving as a student ambassador for the department.
In this role, he represented NJIT at career fairs, providing valuable guidance to prospective students and parents about the college application process and the field of civil engineering.
Petito's leadership abilities have also been showcased as the captain of the 2024 ASCE Surveying Competition team.
With his impressive track record and passion for civil engineering, Petito is poised to make significant contributions to the field upon his graduation in May, 2026.
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Antonio Petito
Sophomore Excellence Award presented
by Prof. Stephen George
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Anna Gecsey
Junior Excellence Award presented by
Dr. Rayan Assad
Anna Gecsey is a junior student with an impressive 3.78 GPA. Gecsey has been a member of the NJIT chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers concrete canoe team, serving as captain this year.
The team and its canoe “The Kracken,” placed fourth at Regionals this April. Gecsey is excited to continue her studies but also dedicated her time with the team, who is already making big plans for next year.
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James Fieseler
Senior Excellence Award presented by
Prof. Walter Konon
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James Fieseler is a graduating senior, majoring in civil engineering with a minor in environ-mental engineering.
Fieseler enrolled at NJIT in the fall of 2020 and he has accumulated a GPA of 3.97.
In addition to his stellar academic perfor-mance, he is a member of the school's men's volleyball team, where he served as team captain for the 2024 season.
After graduation, Fieseler plans on working in the field of geotechnical engineering.
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Jad Marhaba
Senior Excellence Award presented
by Andrew Cianca
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Senior student Jad Marhaba, has distinguished himself as a stellar student and leader.
With an impressive cumulative GPA of 4.0, he has not only excelled academically but also demonstrated remarkable leadership and service. Marhaba's academic prowess is complemented by significant professional experiences, including impactful internships at prestigious firms such as Tesla in Texas, Langan in Parsippany and Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers in New York City. These experiences have not only enriched his understanding of civil and environmental engineering but have also prepared him for a promising career in the field.
After graduation, he plans to take the FE exam, aiming to become a licensed Professional Engineer.
He intends to return to NJIT for a Master's in Structural Engineering, further solidifying his commitment to advancing his knowledge and skills in the engineering sector.
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Fabian Zabicki
Masters Excellence Award
presented by Dr. Steven Chien
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Fabian Zabicki's life is a tale of resilience and determination. Raised by his grandparents in Poland after his parents' divorce, he found comfort in soccer and sharpened his math and computer skills.
At 17, he moved to the U.S. for high school, facing language barriers, but still excelling academically and athletically.
Zabicki emerged as a top student in civil engineering, with one of the highest GPAs in his class. Now pursuing a master's degree in Transportation Engineering at NJIT, Zabicki is well-equipped to make a difference in his field.
With his expertise in traffic engineering, transportation planning, and AutoCAD drafting, as well as his fluency in English and Polish, he's ready to contribute meaningfully to the industry.
Zabicki’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to personal and professional growth.
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Ghiwa Assaf
Doctoral Excellence Award presented by
Dr. Rayan Assaad
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Ghiwa Assaf joined the Smart Construction and Intelligent Infrastructure Systems Lab directed by Dr. Rayan Assaad in Spring 2022 due to her passion for construction engineering and management. Her research focuses on modernizing infrastructure asset management practices through innovative delivery methods and leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. Before joining NJIT, Assaf earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Lebanese University and a master's degree in geotechnical engineering from the Université de Lille. Assaf has also gained valuable industry expe-rience through working as a full-time civil engineer. During her doctoral studies, Assaf presented her research at different ASCE conferences across the U.S. and published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles in very prestigious journals and conferences.
Assaf has also been a teaching assistant for the soil mechanics course, the instructor of the soil mechanics lab, a reviewer for various journals and conferences, as well as the CEE department representative for the Graduate Student Association at NJIT.
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Bruno Bezerra de Souza is a double NJIT alumnus from Brazil, having earned both a master's degree in civil engineering in 2020 and a PhD in 2024.
De Souza's academic career began at the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil where he received an undergraduate degree. His exceptional performance garnered a prestigious scholarship from the Brazilian government, enabling him to study at Syracuse University. During his summer break, De Souza joined professor Meegoda’s research group at NJIT. Under the guidance of Meegoda, De Souza began his groundbreaking research focused on understanding the behavior of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. He authored numerous successful grant proposals and has played a pivotal role in securing grant proposals based on his research and extend to publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at prestigious conferences. Outside of academia, De Souza has made significant contributions to the NJIT commu-nity, serving as the Graduate Student Association representative for the department for four years.
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Bruno Bezerra de Souza
Doctoral Excellence Award presented by
Dr. Jay Meegoda
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Thomas Hickey
Excellence in Leadership Award presented
by Dr. Matthew Bandelt
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Thomas Hickey is a graduating senior majoring in civil engineering here at NJIT. In addition to achieving a 3.1 GPA, Hickey has become an integral part of the civil engineering community at NJIT.
Along with Michael Rohe, has served as co-captain of the NJIT student steel bridge team two years in a row. Under their leadership, the team advanced to the National finals both years, improving each year. Hickey joined to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as Director of Labs for Education.
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Michael Rohe
Excellence in Leadership Award presented
by Dr. Matthew Bandelt
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Michael Rohe is a senior majoring in civil engineering. He transferred to NJIT from County College of Morris in the summer of 2022 after earning an Associate degree.
Rohe not only has an impressive 4.0 GPA, but is an active member of the NJIT civil engineering community. He has served as a co-captain of the school’s student steel bridge team for the past two years, leading the team to National twice.
In addition, Rohe is a student member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the founder of the Structural Design Club at NJIT.
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Rafal Wojcik, P.E.
Young Alumni Award presented
by Dr. Taha F. Marhaba
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Rafal Wojcik is a 2011 graduate of the civil and environmental engineering department at NJIT. While attending NJIT, Wojcik was a member in the student chapter of ASCE serving as vice-president during his senior year.
He was also involved with Chi Epsilon and the steel bridge team. Wojcik was honored with several scholarships during his undergraduate career, including the Moles Student Scholarship, the Construction Management Association of America Metro NY/NJ scholarship, and the Construction Industry Advancement Program of New Jersey scholarship.
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Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Wojcik began his professional career working for a consultant in a variety of subdisciplines, gaining valuable experience and exposure to environmental, site civil, foundations and landfill design. After discovering a passion for geotechnical engineering, he returned to alma mater and while working full-time, completed a master's degree in civil engineering in 2016 with a focus in geotechnical engineering. During this time, Wojcik obtained his professional engineering license in New Jersey and is now licensed in several other states.
Currently, Wojcik is a geotechnical project manager at Dewberry Engineers Inc., where he performs detailed geotechnical and foundation designs and provides construction support services for transportation projects, building infrastructure, storm hardening/coastal resiliency, and waterfront protection. From traditional delivery method of design-bid-build to alternate delivery methods seen as Design-Build, and from billion-dollar public projects to small private site development work, Wojcik enjoys the challenges of working through a problem to find the solution.
Additionally, Wojcik is actively involved with professional societies, networking, promoting and sharing his experiences with colleagues. He is currently serving as chairman of the Coast, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute for the New Jersey North Branch. He is a member of the ASCE North Jersey Branch, where he is passionate about being involved in university outreach, attending networking events, resume workshops, and student talks.
Wojcik has even taught classes as an adjunct for the department, teaching both geology and geology in engineering.
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NJIT ITE Student Chapter Competes in the 2024
ITE Traffic Bowl of Buffalo | |
NJIT's ITE students chapter participants: Hyun Kim, Ali Hafeez, and Jorge Duarte, and the prof. Branislav Dimitrijevic | |
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The NJIT Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) student chapter had an opportunity to participate in the 2024 ITE Traffic Bowl hosted at University of the Buffalo this April. The ITE Traffic Bowl is an annual student competition in which student teams from different colleges compete in jeopardy-style quizzes that test their knowledge on a variety of transportation related topics.
Topics include ITE history and current affairs, transportation planning, traffic engineering and transportation design.
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Teams consist of up to three students. The student participants from NJIT were Hyun Kim, Ali Hafeez and Jorge Duarte.
This year, NJIT were advanced from semi-finals, competing against New York University, in the finals at the University of Buffalo.
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A New Generation of Civil Engineers, ASCE STEM Outreach Event | |
In collaboration with the North Jersey Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Younger Members Group, three current and former members of NJIT’s student chapter of ASCE coordinated a STEM outreach event at a local elementary school. Third year civil engineering student Saad Rehmatullah along with NJIT CEE Alumni and practitioner advisors to the student chapter, Jakob Guido and Parth Rana, organized the event at East End Elementary School in North Plainfield, N.J. in June. East End Elementary is a Title 1 school, receiving additional funding targeting | | |
potential inequalities in educational achievement. Coordinating with the principal and the school’s supervisor of science, the event brought engineering to over 90 second, third and fourth graders. Rehmatulah said on bringing civil engineering back to his former elementary school, “the value of this service - learning act increases past the smiles of the kids’ faces saying they want to be future civil engineers, it supports our profession by engaging with the next generation of engineers and leaders and it feels even better to do so in the town where I was raised!” | |
Civil Sees Success at 2024 Undergraduate Summer Research and Innovation (URI) Symposium | |
Over the course of two-days event, in July, nearly a dozen civil and environmental engineering students were among the over 150 undergraduate presenters, up from only a handful the prior year. Students gave presen-tations summarizing their 10 week research and innovation projects. | |
They were given three minute time slots to present their ‘elevator pitches’ to the URI External Advisory Board members and judges. The CEE students did research along side professors in Colton Hall. Additionally, there were many interdepartmental collaborations, and participating of outside universities. | |
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One such example was Vijaninee, a student from the Heritage Institute of Technology in India, who earned honorable mention for the category of Environment & Sustainability.
Her research, entitled “Flexible solar cell for indoor light energy recovery and reuse”, was conducted under professor Wen Zhang in our department.
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Colton Hall Host Pre-College Programs, Encouraging
the Next Generation of STEM Students | |
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This summer, Colton Hall hosted students from grades 4-12 as part of the Center for Pre-College Programs at NJIT. Students explored careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Two of the programs held this summer were the aeronautical engineering early college preparatory program and the STEMx high school program.
The aeronautical engineering program teaches rising sixth graders about the atmosphere and space. Students participate in lectures, activities and hands-on demonstrations showcasing what they have learned.
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Lectures and activities are usually held in the Hydraulics Lab and others are held outside as the students test their creations, such as rockets and tissue paper hot air balloons.
STEMx high school is a week-long program in which students in grades 10 and 11 participate in hands-on demonstrations, lab visits and lectures. The second week of the program, titled “Sustainable Engineering and the Environment”, was hosted in Colton Hall with Assistant Professor Oladoyin Kolawole leading the course. Approximately 25 students were a part of the STEMx course where they learned about sustainable engineering materials, technologies and methods.
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Accumulation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Coastal Sharks from Contrasting Marine Environments: The New York Bight and The Bahamas | |
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Why PFAS?
Since the 1940s, PFAS have been synthesized and used in both consumer and industrial processes. PFAS are valued for their ability to resist “heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.”
Where can I find PFAS?
PFAS are found in everything from consumer products to industrial scale processes. From non-stick cookware to electroplating, PFAS are everywhere. Additionally, PFAS can enter the environment from a variety of means from exhaust to water to landfill leachate.
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What additional research is being done on PFAS?
When asked about additional research Dr. Venkatesan replies, “a lot in my lab” and provided the follow list of topics currently under research in the Emerging Contaminants Research Laboratory (ECRL) “We are studying the properties of PFAS molecules to understand why and how they accumulate at the air-water interface and how air bubbles can influence their movement in the environment”, said also Dr. Venkatesan.
Read the full Article
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Smart Construction and Intelligent Infrastructure (SCIIS) Lab attends 2024 ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering | | |
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Members of the Smart Construction and Intelligent Infrastructure Systems (SCIIS) Lab (directed by Dr. Assaad) attended the 2024 ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3ce) on July 28-31, 2024.
The theme of the conference was “Re-Imagining Civil Engineering - Addressing the World's Most Pressing Problems.”
The conference was hosted by Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Four doctoral students have presented 10 of their research projects on a variety of topics within the field and have developed novel computing models and algorithms.
For Info about Conference Read More
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Ph.D. student Ghadi Charbel’s paper "Predicting Project Contingency in the Construction Industry Using Machine Learning Algorithms" presented machine learning algorithms as an alternative to the current qualitative methodology for estimating contingency costs. Of the four algorithms used in Charbel’s research, the ANN model was the most accurate with a prediction rate of 93.33% accuracy. Charbel’s goal is that the integration of machine learning and other quantitative measures will lead to better risk management within the construction industry. As for what comes next, Charbel says “my research will be focusing on a novel management method called "project bundling" where I plan to implement the same mechanisms of machine learning along with novel techniques in optimization and simulation modeling to help transportation departments and government agencies use this method.” | | |
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Ph.D. candidate Xi Hu presented his research on a novel robotic 3D thermal mapping (R3DTM) system (Figure 2) | | |
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utilizing a quadruped robot dog and panoramic thermography to improve the maneuverability and mapping efficiency of robot-based thermal mapping for building thermal assessments.
The paper is titled "Developing a Quadrupled Robot-based 3D and Panoramic Thermal Mapping System: Moving towards Smart and Automated Building Thermal Inspection using LiDAR-based Digital Twins and Sensor Fusion Technologies".
The R3DTM system is unique in that it develops a real-time thermal image stitching pipeline to perform panoramic thermography and fuses the generated panoramic images with 3D point cloud collected by a quadruped robotic platform.
Hu has plans to continue his research, outlining “future work of this project is to (1) develop a software tool that enables the automated fusion of panoramic images and 3D point clouds and (2) perform thermal point cloud registration to obtain a large-scale thermal map of buildings to be used as input for AI-based automated building hidden issue identification and quantification.”
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Yasser Jezzini, Ph. D. candidate, presented two papers that consider the use of advanced computational techniques (e.g., simulation and modeling, genetic multi-objective optimization) to aid decision makers, urban planners, and stakeholders in optimizing the implementation of green infrastructures and maximize their relative economic, social, and environmental benefits. His two papers, "Assessing the Environmental, Social, and Economic Values of Green Infrastructure Plans using Agent-Based Modeling and Monte Carlo Simulation" and "Multi-Objective Optimization of the Environmental, Social, and Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure: Enhancing The Decision-Making Process Using Pareto-Optimal Solutions", include research that was in part sponsored by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. | | |
The papers detail how having a systematic framework could address the current issues associated with the implementation of green infrastructure (Figure 1). The aim of Jezzini’s research is to encourage planning of green infrastructure that is tailored, interconnected and main-tained, as these characteristics yield the greatest returns. Jezzini’s research has been expanded into a journal paper which has been accepted by ASCE Journal of Urban Planning and Development and is awaiting publication. | |
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Ph. D. student Oscar Poudel, presented two papers discussing audio quality as a metric for environmental regulation on construction sites.
The first paper, "Advancing Sound Level Localization through Innovative Integration and Fusion of Remote Sensing and Reality Captured LiDAR-based Digital Twins, Auditory Devices, and IoT-enabled Sensing Technologies", analyzes the use of integrated technologies to localize sound within an indoor environment. The ability to achieve localization with the combination of LiDAR,
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combination of LiDAR, RGB data, and IoT devices has a wide range of applications that could improve the design of interior spaces.
Poudel’s second paper, "Developing Real-Time Acoustic Technologies for Enhancing Safety and Efficiency on Construction Job Sites using Deep Learning Algorithms: Moving Towards Automated Construction Site Monitoring", focuses on outdoor audio quality for the management of construction sites. The ability to classify recorded sounds via a convolutional neural network model not only shows improvement over existing monitoring methods, but has the potential to prevent injury and increase workflow productivity. Poudel plans on expanding upon his work with the lab, stating “at the SCIIS lab, we are pioneering the integration of Machine Listening and Sound Engineering into civil engineering applications…this interdisciplinary approach opens up new possibilities for enhancing the design, construction, and maintenance of our built environment.”
The SCIIS lab is also currently working with various undergraduate students (including Tukwa Ahsan, Meglena Mileva, Shania Villalobos) and high-school students (including Thomas Catuosco, Harshit Singh, Joshua Jung, Martin Zhang, Saniya Grover) on developing cutting edge technologies for automating construction operations and improving the performance of infrastructure systems.
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Dr. Matthew Adams of MatSLab presents Understanding ACI 323 - Low Carbon Concrete Code and teaches at the American
Concrete Institute's Professor's Workshop | |
On July 18, Associate Professor Matthew Adams presented at the annual Vigil D. Skipper Memorial Summer Seminar held at Precision Concrete Construction, Inc. Adams’ presentation titled “Low-Carbon Concrete: What is it? How to specify it? And upcoming code requirements,” discussed the specifications and ramifications of low carbon concrete. His presentation was given to the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Georgia Chapter. The presentation discussed both the new and emerging technologies for low-carbon concrete and the proposed ACI Code 323. | |
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The ACI Code 323 was written to try and standardize guidance nationwide and is currently out for public comment. When asked about the importance of low carbon concrete on the future of civil engineering, Dr. Adams says "The concrete industry is rapidly changing to embrace lower carbon construction and address its own impact on climate change. These changes may result in stress and confusion in the short-term, but research has shown that low-carbon materials often result in higher quality, more durable concrete. Addressing the environmental impact not only helps fight climate change, but makes for a stronger built environment."
Additionally, Dr. Adams was among those who taught at this year’s “Professors’ Workshop” held in Farmington Hills, MI at the ACI World Headquarters. Held in-person July 23 and 24, the workshop provided professors the opportunity to learn from leading faculty and industry professionals in the concrete field. The goal of the workshop was to provide professors with the knowledge and skills from lectures and hands-on learning, to create or expand upon their concrete related courses.
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Geomechanics for Geo-Engineering and Sustainability (GGES) Lab Attends 58th ARMA Symposium | |
Left to right: Ph.D. student Prabhakar Khadka, Ph.D. candidate Mary C. Ngoma, and Assist. Professor Oladoyin Kolawole | |
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Assistant Professor Oladoyin Kolawole,
Ph.D. candidate Mary C. Ngoma and Ph.D. student Prabhakar Khadka attended the 58th American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) Symposium held June 23-26, 2024 in Golden, Co.
At the symposium, the research team presented three papers based on the lab’s ongoing research: Experimental Study of the Effect of Porosity on EICP Biomineralization in Dolostone and Shales Under Uniaxial Compressive Stress Condition, Investigation of the Failure Mechanisms for Inducing Rock Slope Hazard in New Jersey, United States, and Rock Mechanical Characterization of Epoxy-Based Grouted Sandstone.
Ngoma presented the paper Experimental Study of the Effect of Porosity on EICP Biomineralization in Dolostone and Shales Under Uniaxial Compressive Stress Condition, in which two rock types were given enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) treatment and changes to their mechanical properties were tested.
The two rock types represent opposing levels of permeability, shale is a clay-rich rock with low-permeability and dolostone which exhibits high-permeability. The EICP used jack bean urease enzyme over a 3-day period and uniaxial compression testing was done to determine the mechanical properties of the rocks before and after the treatment.
The results of the research show the effect of EICP bio cementation is greater for rocks with high-porosity and has the potential to strengthen rocks. Ngoma is enthusiastic for future research, “I look forward to showcasing more of our innovative bio cement research in rocks which can be used to repair cracks in underground infrastructures.”
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Khadka gave a poster presentation of Investigation of the Failure Mechanisms for Inducing Rock Slope Hazard in New Jersey, United States. The paper details research into rock slope stability analysis of Northeastern, New Jersey and provides suggestions for mitigation methods. By investigating the relationship between the main failure mechanisms that lead to rockfall and discontinuities in rock mass by kinematic analysis, the research presented a conclusion as to likely failure type along with appropriate measures for mitigation. The most likely failure type for the area, with a 26% likelihood of critical failure, was topping failure. To address this possibility, a three-fold mitigation plan consisting of the construction of rockfall fences, geotechnical mapping and subsequent failure analysis is suggested. Khadka dedicates his research to a future of sustainable engineering. Additionally, Dr. Kolawole served as a panelist for the symposium’s Inclusive Mentorship in Rock Mechanics discussion. The panel was composed of members from both the fields of industry and academia. The question posed to panelists was “how do mentorship and the environment for inclusive action differ between academics and technical organizations (such as ARMA)? Can you speak to the role you think either of these groups can play in promoting a supportive and inclusive future in Rock Mechanics?” The question aimed to discuss the larger theme of diversity within the field, asking how the organiza-tion can attract diverse members and increase parti-cipation. Dr. Kolawole’s answer focused on “access” and how access to career help, professors and mentors through the organization may inspire greater diversity. Dr. Kolawole’s closing remarks were even mentioned in the “President’s Corner” section of the July 2024 edition of ARMA Monthly News. | |
2024 Scholarship Winners and North American Membrane Society (NAMS) Student Fellowship | |
Larissa Cavalcante
Paul F. Boulos NAC Scholarship
and 2024 Moles
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Larissa Cavalcante was the recipient of two recent scholarships. She was awarded the 2024 Paul F. Boulos Scholarship by the National Academy of Construction, in addition to being one of the two students from NJIT to receive the 2024 Moles Scholarship. Cavalcante is a rising senior at NJIT, majoring in civil engineering. She is an Albert Dorman Honors College Scholar as well as an active member of several organizations across campus. Serving as the president of the school’s student chapter of the American Society of Engineers, she has organized and executed several important events from fundraisers to outreach. She has also held positions in the NJIT Student Senate and the NJIT student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Cavalcante is a department student ambassador and received the CEE First Year Student Excellence Award back in 2022, when she was a freshman. She is currently interning at Merck in Rahway for the summer.
Cavalcante would like to extend her thanks to the CEE department for their immense support, as well as her advisor and mentor Stephen George.
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Saad Rehmatullah, E.I.T. was recently awarded a scholarship and award. He is the recipient of the 2024 Moles Scholarship and the 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers Student Leadership Award. Rehmatullah is a third year civil engineering student at NJIT. He is an Albert Dorman Honors College Scholar as well as enrolled in the department’s B.S./M.S. program. In addition to his academic achievements, Rehmatullah is involved in an impressive number of extracurriculars. He is past vice-president of the NJIT student chapter of the American Society of Engineers (ASCE) and was co-captain of the ASCE 3D Printed Bridge team this year that won first place across the board at the regional symposium in April. Rehmatullah has been a department student ambassador since joining NJIT and was the recipient of the 2023 CEE Sophomore Excellence Award. Recently to advance his professional standing, Rehmatullah took the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and was awarded his Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) title in May. Rehmatullah looks forward to a career in civil engineering, stating“NJIT has equipped me with the right tools to help me develop and succeed, I hope to be a positive difference-maker in the industry.” | |
Saad Rehmatullah, EIT
2024 ASCE Student Leadership Award and 2024 Moles
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Jianan Gao
NAMS Student Fellowship
| Jianan Gao was one of three recipients of the 2024 North American Membrane Society (NAMS) Student Fellowship Award. | |
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Gao was recognized with a medal at the NAMS banquet during this year’s NAMS conference in Santa Fe, Nm. Jianan is a Ph.D. candidate in the field of environmental engineering at NJIT.
He received his masters degree in municipal engineering and his bachelor's degree in water supply and drainage science and engineering from Qingdao University of Technology, China.
Gao’s research focused on developing an innovative electrochemical membrane technology for wastewater treatment, achieving remarkable efficiency in nitrate reduction and ammonia recovery. His research has gained over 900 citations.
In addition to the NAMS Student Fellowship, Gao’s research has been recognized with the 2023 CAPEES Founding President Best Paper Award, the 2023 Kenneth S. Stoller Award, the 2023 The C. Ellen Gonter Environmental Chemistry Award, the 2022 Heh-Won Chang PhD Fellowship in Green Chemistry Award, and the 2021 Graduate Student Award in ACS Division of Environmental Chemistry.
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Guangyu Zhu was awarded the 2024 North American Membrane Society (NAMS) Elias Klein Travel Award. Zhu received the award to travel and present at the NAMS conference this May.
Zhu is a second year Ph.D. student studying environmental engineering with Dr. Wen Zhang here at NJIT. He has two masters, one in environmental engineering from the University of Vermont and another in environmental management from Samford University. For his undergraduate degree, he majored in chemical engineering at the Shanghai University of Electric Power. Zhu’s poster presen-tation,“Investigations of NF/RO applications to remove PFASs”, was based on research funded by the National Science Foundation Industry / Univer-sity Cooperative Research Center for Membrane Science, Engineering and Technology (MAST).
The presentation took place on May 13, 2024 as part of the 2024 NAMS Conference. Zhu detailed the innovative AFM-IR and KPFM methods employed to detect or even quantify the adsorption of trace PFAS compounds on the surface of the polymer membranes in his accompanying verbal presentation. Practical applications of these techniques promise significant advancement for PFAS detection.
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Guangyu Zhu
NAMS Elias Klein Travel
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2023 Outstanding Reviewer by ASCE Publishing
Rayan H. Assaad, PhD
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Congratulations to Assistant Professor Rayan H. Assaad, who was recently recognized as one of the 2023 Outstanding Reviewers by ASCE Publishing for two of their journals.
Dr. Assaad was awarded Outstanding Reviewer for the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management (JCEM) and the ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering (JME).
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Outstanding Reviewers are chosen by a committee of the journal’s editorial board members based on the “quality and timeliness of their reviews” over the course of a year. Dr. Assaad was among 11 Outstanding Reviewers for the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management and one of eight for the ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering. Dr. Assaad graduated with his Ph.D. from Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2021, the same year he joined NJIT. Since the beginning, Dr. Assaad has been an active member of the Civil and Environmental Engineering community. He has mentored ASCE student teams and has authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, Dr. Assaad is the founding director of the Smart Construction and Intelligent Infrastructure Lab, located on the third floor of Colton Hall.
Dr. Assaad would like to thank the Chief Editors, the Associate and Assistant Editors, and the Editorial Board members of JCEM and JME for this recognition. Dr. Assaad looks forward to always serving the engineering and scientific community, to helping in maintaining scientific standards, to further contributing to the advancement of the construction engineering and infrastructure management field, to driving further research and innovations in the field, and to staying at the forefront of his discipline.
More information on the lab and their research can
be found here: https://sciis.njit.edu/index.html
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Distinguished Professor
Taha Marhaba, PhD, PE, F. ASCE
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2024 New Jersey Alliance for Action’s Distinguished Engineering Award | |
On July 24, Rafal Wojcik on behalf of Dewberry Engineers, Inc., accepted the NJ Alliance for Action’s Distinguished Engineering Award for the Route 295/42 Missing Moves Bellmawr Project! | |
Rafal Wojcik, P.E.
Wojcik is a geotechnical project manager at Dewberry Engineers, Inc. and recent recipient of the department’s Young Alumni Award. The NJ Alliance for Action is a non-profit and non-partisan organization founded in 1974. The aim of the organization is to promote capital construction and infrastructure investment that is environmentally friendly and improves the economy of the state. The Route 295/42 Missing Move Bellmawr Project is a federally funded initiative aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion for the 150,000 daily commuters who use the corridor. The project began in March 2020 and finished, on time and on budget, in November 2023. The $180 million improvements included the building of new connecting ramps and installation of exit signs installed, replacement of the Creek Road Bridge, and additional corridor upgrades.
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Looking for Volunteers and Student Ambassadors! | |
The CEE Department currently has multiple openings for Volunteers and Student Ambassadors for the 2024/2025 academic year. It's the perfect opportunity to actively engage with the department! | |
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As a student ambassador, you will have various responsibilities including media coverage, assisting with open houses, conducting tours, and participating in experience days.
To learn more information and
to sign up, use this Form here.
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As a volunteer, you can fulfill your required volunteer hours.
The Colton Cafe, located in Colton 320, will be reopening soon for all of your mid-day snacks and cravings. Whether you opt to volunteer at the cafe or assist with events, ceremonies and other activities, your contribution is highly valued.
To join as a volunteer, simply click here.
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2024 First Day of Classes at Civil and Environmental Engineering Classes
Tuesday, September 3rd!
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Welcome back!
Meet with faculty, staff and current NJIT students! | |
Join us for the First Day of school! Stop by our office to pick up NJIT - CEE bags! | |
Find and scan the QR code in the Colton Hall and win a reward! | |
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Fall 2024 Open House at NJIT and CEE
Sunday, October 13th - from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm at Wellness and Events Center
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Go beyond a campus tour and take an
up-close look at NJIT!
Join us at one of our biggest and most comprehensive Admissions events of the
Fall - Open House!
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Explore our academic offerings, campus life, admissions and financial aid, and much more. Meet faculty, staff, and current students and see what your college life can look like at NJIT, and especially to the CEE! | |
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At Fall Open House, you and your guests will have the opportunity to:
- Attend special academic presentations and learn more about the range of undergraduate degree programs at NJIT
- Explore our Academic Showcase where academic departments put together exciting displays and demonstrations
- Tour the labs
- Meet with faculty, staff, and current NJIT students
- Participate in workshops tailored to different student populations, such as women in technology, transfer, Honors, and EOP (Educational Opportunity Program)
- Learn about scholarships and financial aid opportunities
- Connect with representatives from Campus Life and Student Activities
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Tour the residence halls. Read more!
We can't wait to see you at Open House - Go Highlanders!
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2024 NJIT Homecoming and Soccer Game
Monday, October 14, 20024 to Saturday, October 19, 2024
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Join us for our annual Homecoming and Soccer Game!
Enjoy a week of music, entertainment, food & Highlander spirit! Donations for the NJIT Food Pantry will be collected at the Food Pantry table in the lobby of the Campus Center! Read more!
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Cationic surfactant-assisted foam fractionation enhances the removal of short-chain perfluoroalkyl substances from impacted water
Cheng-Shiuan Lee, Arjun K. Venkatesan
Chemosphere
Read the Full Article
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Determining Critical Cascading Effects of Flooding Events on Transportation Infrastructure Using Data Mining Algorithms
Rayan H. Assaad, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE, Mohsen Mohammadi, S.M.ASCE, and Ghiwa Assaf, S.M.ASCE
ASCE Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Read the Full Article
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Analyzing the Critical Success Factors Affecting Project Bundling Performance of Infrastructure Projects
Ghiwa Assaf, Ph.D., S.M.ASCE, and Rayan H. Assaad, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE
ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Read the Full Article
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Reassessment of natural expansive materials and their impact on freeze-thaw cycles in geotechnical engineering: a review
Felix Oppong and Oladoyin Kolawole
Frontiers in Built Environment
Read the Full Article
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Porosity and bedding controls on bio-induced carbonate precipitation and mechanical properties of shale and dolomitic rocks: EICP vs MICP
Mary C. Ngoma, Oladoyin Kolawole
Biogeotechnics
Read the Full Article
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Sustainable reinforced concrete design: The role of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) in life-cycle structural performance and environmental impacts
Jin Fan, Yi Shao, Matthew J. Bandelt, Matthew P. Adams, Claudia P. Ostertag
Engineering Structures
Read the Full Article
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Temporal and spatial distribution of micro-plastics in green infrastructures: Rain gardens
Meghana Parameswarappa Jayalakshmamma, Viravid Na Nagara, Ashish Borgaonkar, Dibyendu Sarkar, Christopher Obropta, Michel Boufadel
Chemosphere
Read the Full Article
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Development and Validation of a Heat Resilience Index: Measuring Communities Resilience to Extreme Heat Events
Ghiwa Assaf, S.M.ASCE, and Rayan H. Assaad, A.M.ASCE
ASCE Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Read the Full Article
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Village of Ridewood
Ridgewood Water Alternate Corrosion Inhibitor Evaluation
Principal Investigator: William H. Pennock
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Duration: March 21, 2024 to November 2, 2024
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N.J. Dept. Of Environmental Protection
T3135 - Water Quality Analysis; DEP
Principal Investigator: Michel Boufadel
Department: Center for Natural Resources
Duration: Thursday, August 1, 2024 to Monday, July 31, 2028
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The University of Maine System
PFAS Release from Spent Granular Activated Carbons in Solid Waste Management Facilities
Principal Investigator: Arjun Venkatesan
Duration: January 1, 2024 to November 1, 2024
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AAAS
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow
Principal Investigator: Janice R. Daniel
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Duration: Friday, September 1, 2023 to Saturday, August 31, 2024
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Langan Engineering and Environmental Services Inc
Purchase Order Request for ISS Treatability Study NJIT PO No. 2304
Principal Investigator: Michel Boufadel
Department: Center for Natural Resources
Duration: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 to Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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U.S. Dept. Of Interior
Bridging the gap between the dispersion effectiveness at various scales
Principal Investigator: Michel Boufadel
Department: Center for Natural Resources
Duration: Monday, July 1, 2024 to Tuesday, June 30, 2026
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Urbantech
Develop a smart artificial intelligence (AI)-based software for automated detection of cracks and identification of their properties using machine learning algorithms based on historical Urban Tech in
Principal Investigator: Rayan Hassane Assaad
Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Duration: Thursday, July 18, 2024 to Sunday, August 31, 2025
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The CEE Industrial Advisory Board represents a diverse cross section of civil and environmental engineering professionals including design consultants construction managers, contractors, and attorneys. | |
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Maurice Rached, P.E. (Chair)
Maser Consulting
Ted Cassera, P.E., ‘72
Omland Engineering Associates
Anthony Castillo, P,E., '95, '02
SESI Consulting Engineers
Anthony J. DeJohn
WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff
Andrejs Delle, P.E.
Schiavone Construction Company LLC
Muhammad Elgammal, P.E., P.M.P, '12, '15
Stantec
Jerome F. Gallagher Jr., Esq., ‘80
Norris McLaughlin, P.A.
James Giurintano, P.E., P.P.,CME, '94
Bowman Consulting
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Andre Grebenstein, LEED AP '95
HITT Contracting Inc.
Gareth C. Middleton, P.E, '93, '04
Tishman Construction, an AECOM Company
Dennis Motiani
Kimley-Horn Associates
Áine O’Dwyer, P.E., '07, '08
Enovate Engineering
Chrissa D. Roessner, P.E., '02
State of New Jersey, Transportation
Kenneth Sisk
The Rinaldi Group
Joseph Stanley, P.E., '78, '85
Hatch Mott MacDonald
Wei Wang, Ph.D., '95
Urban Tech, Inc.
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Editors & Contributors
Taha FMarhaba
Maria Elena Botei
Sylvana Brito-Rodriguez
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Special Thanks
NJIT Office of Strategic Communications
NJIT Office of Alumni Relations
Contributing Faculty, Staff, Students & Alumni
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