News

CU Boulder’s Concrete Canoe Team takes on new challenges

sugl6437 — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:39:40 +0000

CU Boulder’s Concrete Canoe Team takes on new challenges sugl6437 Mon, 05/04/2026 - 09:39

Susan Glairon

Mary Grace Lemkuhl raises her paddle and Claire Harvey raises her arms, while Vadim Uzchenksky paddles in the front and Graeme Schnarre paddles in the back during the co-ed canoe sprint race competition.

Cold, snowy conditions didn’t stop �Թ�� of Colorado Boulder students from competing in the American Society of Civil Engineer’s (ASCE) concrete canoe competition, an annual event where teams design, formulate their own concrete mixtures and paddle floating canoes made of low-density concrete.

CU Boulder’s ASCE student chapter competed at the Rocky Mountain Student Symposium, held April 23-25 in Rapid City, South Dakota and hosted by South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. The group was led by ASCE co-presidents Mary Grace Lehmkuhl and Julian Kotara, and Associate Teaching Professor Chris Senseney, the faculty advisor for the Concrete Canoe team.

“Julian and I are super proud of this year's symposium,” Lehmkuhl said. “Although CU Boulder did not do as well as we hoped, we competed in more competitions than ever before.”

Around 25 students from the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering designed and built this year’s 300-pound canoe, “Gone Bananas,” featuring bright yellow paint and a tropical theme. The team wore colorful Hawaiian shirts while presenting the canoe to the judges. During the races, the men's slalom team placed second against five other schools. CU Boulder placed fourth overall in the canoe competition.

“The success of getting a canoe to the conference unscathed is always something to celebrate,” Lehmkuhl said. “We’ve had canoes crack during transport in the past and a few schools had canoes break during the long journey to South Dakota this year.”

In addition to the canoe competition, the CU Boulder student chapter competed in the Timber Strong category for the first time. Led by CEAE students Boden Kaminski-Willard and Hannah Berger, the Timber Strong team finished third.

The event challenges teams to construct a two-story timber structure within 90 minutes; the team finished in 81:20,1:20 over their proposed time. While some wall components were prebuilt, most of the structure was assembled during the build period. The final structure was then inspected and load-tested to verify its strength.

Hanah Berger, Boden Kaminski-Willard, Joe Osborne, Tyler Rockey, Julian Kortara and Evelyn Ingraham (not pictured) construct their wood framed structure during the Timber Strong competition.

The team also placed third in the Sustainable Solutions competition, which challenges students to deepen their understanding of sustainability and apply it to real-world engineering problems. This year’s challenge focused on developing site and energy management plans for data centers.

“The team did a great job, incorporating water loop energy recovery systems to lower the effect the center had on the surrounding environment,” Kotara said.

CU Boulder also placed third in the Surveying competition.

The team is already looking forward to next year, when CU Boulder will host the regional ASCE Rocky Mountain Student Symposium.

“I’m incredibly excited for what’s ahead,” said Graeme Schnarre, next year’s ASCE president of CU Boulder’s student chapter. “Hosting the symposium will be a major undertaking, but it’s an amazing opportunity for our organization and one that will be incredibly rewarding.

“We’re planning to compete in most competitions next year, which is a huge step forward for our chapter. It speaks to the growth, dedication and momentum we’ve been building.”

Students interested in joining the ASCE student chapter and the 2026-27 team can email asce@colorado.edu and follow @cuboulderasce on Instagram.

CU Boulder ASCE student chapter symposium participants hold their awards.

CU Boulder’s ASCE student chapter competed at the Rocky Mountain Student Symposium, held April 23–25 and hosted by the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. In addition to the canoe competition, the team competed in the Timber-Strong category for the first time, earning a third-place finish.

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Data centers don’t have to be a burden on local communities – and can even support them by generating power and repurposing waste heat

sugl6437 — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:27:23 +0000

Data centers don’t have to be a burden on local communities – and can even support them by generating power and repurposing waste heat sugl6437 Tue, 04/21/2026 - 14:27

In this article in The Conversation, Professors Gregor Henze and Sean Shaheen explain how waste heat from data centers could be reused to warm nearby buildings if the centers are carefully designed, constructed and operated.

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Modeling the Colorado River’s uncertain future

sugl6437 — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:30:38 +0000

Modeling the Colorado River’s uncertain future sugl6437 Fri, 04/10/2026 - 15:30

As the Colorado River faces historic declines in flow, decision-makers are turning to advanced modeling tools to manage an increasingly uncertain future. At the center of this effort is Research Professor Edith Zagona, who leads the development of RiverWare, a widely used modeling platform that simulates how water moves through the basin. Her work includes leading a multidisciplinary team at the Center for Advanced Decision Support for Water and Environmental Systems (CADSWES), advancing RiverWare and other decision- support tools.

Originally developed in the 1990s at the �Թ�� of Colorado Boulder, RiverWare allows states, cities and tribes to run their own scenarios through complex systems like the Colorado River Simulation System, increasing transparency and trust in water management decisions.

Read the IEEE Spectrum article

Research Professor Edith Zagona leads the development of RiverWare, a widely used modeling platform that helps simulate how water moves through the basin.

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Winter never came to Colorado. What does it mean for water supplies?

sugl6437 — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:54:10 +0000

Winter never came to Colorado. What does it mean for water supplies? sugl6437 Tue, 03/31/2026 - 10:54

Associate Professor Ben Livneh, who’s also the director of the Western Water Assessment (WWA) at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), shares insights on what this “snow drought” means for water availability, how it compares to past trends and what may lie ahead as Colorado approaches peak snowpack season.

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Distinguished Professor Karl Linden recognized as exceptional mentor

sugl6437 — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:16:58 +0000

Distinguished Professor Karl Linden recognized as exceptional mentor sugl6437 Mon, 03/30/2026 - 05:16

Distinguished Professor Karl Linden is one of 22 faculty being recognized with this year’s Exceptional Graduate Faculty Mentor Award. The Exceptional Graduate Faculty Mentor Award recognizes the work that faculty mentors do to improve the graduate student experience.

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Women's History Month: Honoring Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein

sugl6437 — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:24:09 +0000

Women's History Month: Honoring Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein sugl6437 Thu, 03/05/2026 - 14:24

Emi Szabo

After beginning her career in psychology and community development, Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein returned to school and took what was then an unconventional path into engineering—eventually becoming one of the early female faculty members in CU Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science and the first female chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (CEAE).

Silverstein's journey is being highlighted by the department in recognition of International Women's Day on March 8 and for Women's History Month.

“With all the current efforts to erase history that celebrates diverse contributions, Women’s History Month is even more important, as a reality check and an inspiration,” she said.

In 1982, Silverstein became one of the first women in the country to earn a PhD in civil engineering and soon after joined CU Boulder as the fourth female tenure-track faculty member in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. In 1999, she became the second woman in CEAE to be promoted to full professor. In 2002, she was elected as its first female department chair and served in the position until 2010. Silverstein held many additional leadership roles throughout her career before retiring in 2022.

Her research focused on water and wastewater treatment process analysis, and throughout her career she has championed the increased participation and positions in leadership roles of women and underrepresented groups in engineering.

"Diversity and inclusion was a career-long driver of my work and a major source of personal fulfillment," she said.

Her advice for aspiring engineers navigating challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion is to foster a community of friends and family for mutual support and inspiration.

“Don’t be ruled by fear of failure or disapproval," she said. "Enlarge your sense of humor.”

Silverstein received the Distinguished Engineering Educator award from the Society of Women Engineers in 2000 and has a Distinguished Professorship at the �Թ�� of Michigan named after her, among many other accolades.

Reflecting on her journey, she credits her family as a major source of inspiration.

"As teachers and public servants, they instilled in me a strong commitment to creating positive change and serving others," she said.

During Women's History Month, we honor Professor Emerita JoAnn Silverstein, who forged an unconventional path that helped pave the way for women in CU Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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Professor Gregor Henze awarded ASHRAE Fellow status

sugl6437 — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 17:17:17 +0000

Professor Gregor Henze awarded ASHRAE Fellow status sugl6437 Fri, 02/20/2026 - 10:17

Susan Glairon

Professor Gregor Henze was recently awarded Fellow status by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

ASHRAE Fellow is a membership grade that recognizes individuals who have achieved distinction and made substantial contributions to Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) and the built environment. Contributions may include leadership and impact in education, research, engineering design and consulting, publications, presentations and mentoring.

"Receiving this honor offers me the satisfying realization that the architectural engineering community, both academia and practice, recognize my contributions to the improvement of the built environment as well as the education of the next generation practitioners in the field," Henze said.

Henze is widely recognized for advancing simulation tools and techniques that improve energy efficiency, comfort and grid responsiveness in buildings and urban energy systems. His research portfolio includes more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and spans topics such as advanced building control, data science for energy and buildings, energy flexibility and novel district heating and cooling networks.

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Professor interviewed on Colorado River crisis

sugl6437 — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:57:25 +0000

Professor interviewed on Colorado River crisis sugl6437 Thu, 02/19/2026 - 08:57

Professor Rajagopalan Balaji was interviewed by NPR's KGNU about the extreme difficulties facing western states as they renegotiate the Colorado River Compact that governs water use.

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Professor featured in Colorado Environmental Film Festival documentary

sugl6437 — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:53:09 +0000

Professor featured in Colorado Environmental Film Festival documentary sugl6437 Fri, 02/13/2026 - 13:53

Susan Glairon

“Women of Carbon,” a documentary featuring Mija Hubler, associate professor of structural engineering and structural mechanics, was selected as the opening night film for the Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Golden. The film highlights women transforming the construction industry through sustainable innovation, decarbonization and green technology.

Hubler’s research interests include aging of construction materials, concrete infrastructure design and construction methods and the design of alternative construction materials from biological elements and engineered waste materials. She is a co-founder of Prometheus Materials, a bio-cement start-up in Longmont, Colorado.

Tell us about “Women of Carbon.

The main three points the film addresses are decarbonization, human health and economic opportunity. The focus is on efforts to decarbonize the construction materials and the motivations behind that work. It explores why a number of women are leading efforts to address these challenges.

How did you become involved in this documentary?

The documentary was Director Basia (Myszynski)’s idea. She contacted me and asked to visit our labs. She interviewed me twice—once when she started the project and then a year later, after she interviewed others in the industry. The second time she interviewed me, we met in Longmont, and I showed her around our startup Prometheus so that she could see the technology we developed.

Tell us about the research you described in the film.

Portland cement is the most common type of cement used in construction. Its production requires a lot of energy and releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment.

"I never thought actually I would be a woman of carbon," said Associate Professor Mija Hubler. "I always dreamed of big bridges and towers, only to realize that in the future we're not going to be building any bigger bridges or towers, unless we embrace this challenge of carbon all around us."

In the documentary, I talk about two of my research efforts. The first is a new bio-based cement that we developed through Prometheus Materials. It’s a carbon-negative cement which combines microalgae with natural binders to create a sustainable alternative to standard concrete.

I also sketched out a second project that uses a different type of bacteria; this bacteria repairs concrete by sealing cracks. At the time the documentary was being made, the technology was just a vision. Since then, we won the CU Boulder Embark Challenge for that product and are now launching a new company focused on bringing it to market.

What drives your passion for your research?

I've seen incremental evolutions in concrete technology and alternative cements. The biological approach is a significantly new step. It may be harder for industry to embrace, but it could have a much larger impact on this industry’s carbon footprint. And it can also maintain our existing infrastructure because it could be used to repair the cracks in old concrete.

Why did you participate in this documentary?

It’s an interesting idea to feature women decarbonizing construction materials. Structural engineering, which is what I study, historically was male-dominated. In some of my undergraduate courses, I was the only woman. But as the field included more materials research, it's become a more diverse field.

I also found this project interesting because the documentary format was completely different from the type of media I was used to. It wasn't a research paper. And it turned out to be a big deal! It's the centerpiece of this festival.

What was the most exciting part about being included in this documentary?

I flew to Portland, Oregon, with my family for the Aug. 14, 2025, opening night. At that point, I hadn't seen the film, and I was really impressed.

If you go

What: “Women of Carbon,” opening night film for the Colorado Environmental Film Festival, features Mija Hubler, associate professor of structural engineering and structural mechanics. Hubler will also participate in a post-film discussion.

When: Feb. 20, 7 p.m.

Where: Bunker Auditorium @ Green Center, Colorado School of Mines, Golden

Tickets: $15-$25, purchase tickets.

Watch the trailer
More information

Watching the documentary together was a way to share my research with my family in a way that I can't usually do. It was also exciting to sit in the audience. There were high schoolers around me chatting after the movie, saying, "Oh, maybe we could study this."

Your daughter was in the documentary. What did she think about it?

My daughter is now 9. When she saw it a year ago, she was very excited. She told all her friends she was going to be a movie star. The topics were a little bit over her head. But she loved being in it.

What do you hope viewers take away?

I hope high school students take with them the hope and passion for civil engineering. I hope that everyone sees that there's a lot of potential to advance the construction field. We can pursue new construction in a more sustainable way while maintaining existing structures.

I'm excited to show the film to my friends, family and the community because it feels like the first time I can share my research with them. The documentary gives me a new way to communicate with them about what I do.

“Women of Carbon,” featuring Associate Professor Mija Hubler, opens the Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Golden on Feb. 20. The documentary highlights women reshaping construction through sustainable innovation and decarbonization.

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Karl Linden recognized as Distinguished Professor at campus ceremony

sugl6437 — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:39:49 +0000

Karl Linden recognized as Distinguished Professor at campus ceremony sugl6437 Mon, 02/09/2026 - 04:39

Susan Glairon

Karl Linden, chair of CU Boulder’s Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering and the Mortenson Professor in Sustainable Development, has been named a Distinguished Professor, the highest faculty honor awarded on the CU system’s four campuses. The recognition was presented to Linden and five others by �Թ�� Justin Schwartz at the �Թ�� of Colorado Board of Regents meeting on Feb. 6.

“When I came to CU Boulder 20 years ago, I was attracted by the collaborative spirit, focus on environmental sustainability and the amazing students this university was able to attract,” Linden said. “The colleagues I have been able to work with, the support from administrators and the creative and aspirational students that I have been able to mentor, have all enabled my successes. Being named a Distinguished Professor is a direct result of the incredible people I have been able to work with in Colorado.”

CU Distinguished Professors are tenured faculty members who demonstrate exemplary performance in research or creative work; a record of excellence in promoting learning and student attainment of knowledge and skills; and outstanding service to the profession, the university and its affiliates. Including this year’s seven honorees, only 160 Distinguished Professors have been named since the title’s establishment in 1977.

Advancing the field

Linden’s career has focused on innovative ways to improve water quality and water treatment. He’s known as an expert in ultraviolet light disinfection systems, now used by many municipal water systems.

He currently serves on the World Health Organization (WHO) Water Quality Technical Advisory Group. As a faculty member, he has taught hundreds of students in water and wastewater treatment, water and sanitation in developing communities, and graduate courses in water reuse and advanced treatment. He has authored more than 260 technical papers and has been honored with many high profile awards, too numerous to mention them all.

In 2023, Linden was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International UV Association (IUVA) World Congress, hosted in Dubai. During the event, the IUVA president called upon those who have worked with Linden, been his student or read his papers to stand.

"It was one of the sweetest moments of my career," Linden said at the time. “Almost the whole room was standing. It was overwhelming and humbling."

Most recently, he received the American Water Works Association’s 2025 A.P. Black Research Award, which honors outstanding contributions to water science and supply, and appeared on the cover of the organization’s journal.

Linden has also been recognized as an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) “for distinguished contributions to the field of water treatment engineering, particularly for using ultraviolet light for pathogen disinfection and abatement of organic contaminants in water reuse.” During a Fulbright fellowship, he researched solutions to water pollution in rural and First Nations communities in Nova Scotia, focusing on the water quality challenges faced by those living in remote areas, including those without reliable access to safe running water or conventional sanitation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Linden and his researchers identified a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light that is effective at killing the virus and is safe for use in public places like concert halls and airports.

In 2020, he won the Borchardt-Glysson Water Treatment Innovation Prize and was named the Clarke Prize Laureate for outstanding achievement in water science and technology. In 2014, he was named the Water Reuse Foundation Person of the Year.

Early inspiration and education

Linden grew up in New York City. After being exposed to the environmental sciences in middle school, he decided to pursue a degree through Cornell �Թ��’s environmental engineering program in the College of Agriculture and Biological Engineering. While there, he learned how to drive a tractor and spread manure, which he said was “quite unique for a New York City kid.”

Linden left Cornell midway, not seeing the connection between his math and physics classes and his desire to protect the environment. Several years later, a serendipitous reading of a New York Times article about a Cornell professor, Bill Jewell, who purified water by growing plants in a constructed wetland, brought him back to Cornell. Inspired by Jewell’s class in biological waste management and a research position in his lab, Linden went on to work for one of the lab’s spinoff companies before pursuing a master’s degree and a PhD on UV disinfection at the �Թ�� of California Davis. Before coming to Colorado, he was a professor at �Թ�� of North Carolina Charlotte and Duke �Թ��.

“I think a lot about the people and places that have influenced my career and set me up for success and greatly honor my past mentors,” Linden said. “The greatest testament to my successes is not how many publications or projects I have been a part of but the extent to which I have enabled the success of others–my colleagues and students–and to set them up to do great things for protecting public health and the environment. “

Karl Linden was presented with the CU system’s highest faculty honor, Distinguished Professor, on Feb. 6. A pioneer in ultraviolet water treatment and a dedicated educator and mentor, he has advanced both water quality innovation and student success.

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