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June 10, 2002
Summer National Science Foundation Research Experience in civil engineering
underway at UNM
The Civil Engineering Department at the University of New Mexico
is hosting the National Science Foundation - Research Experience for Undergraduates
(NSF-REU). Ten undergraduate students will work on active research projects
through Aug. 2.
Civil Engineering Professors John Stormont and Julie Coonrod have been
serving as program directors for the past five years. Both professors
continue to research issues related to environmental and water resources
engineering issues.
This year’s NSF-REU participants include: UNM students Justin Barrett
from Bloomfield, N.M.; Ryan Gronewold from Albuquerque; Sariah Jurado
from El Paso, Texas; and Susan Lime from White Rock, N.M. Other students
include: Vince DeCapio, West Virginia University; Richard Jones, Cornell
University; Katrina Nordwig, University of Wisconsin – Platteville;
Annette Smith, Illinois State University; Ling Tang, Syracuse University;
and Daniel Wang, Rice University.
Stormont and Coonrod will assist the participants in learning skills for
effective presentations. Stormont teaches and conducts research in the
broad, growing area of geo-environmental engineering. This field involves
the application of geotechnical and hydrologic engineering to environmental
problems. Some areas of active research include waste containment facilities
for landfills and mine waste dumps and the use of geosynthetics for stabilization
and drainage of soil.
Coonrod specializes in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and
Remote Sensing to aid in the modeling of surface water. GIS offers the
power to create maps, integrate information, visualize scenarios, solve
complicated problems, present powerful ideas, and develop effective solutions.
Coonrod said some of the students will learn the basics of ArcGIS and
use the software for imagery interpretation and for visualization of research
results.
This is the second summer that students have a common focus in the area
of environmental and water resources engineering. Several students are
dealing with environmental issues associated with an abandoned mine near
Silverton, Colo. The remaining students are working on projects associated
with the Middle Rio Grande. Students will learn about the research process,
their specific research topic and how to present their results both orally
and in written form. The students will make formal presentations to the
directors and invited guests at the end of the program.
Each student receives a $4,000 stipend for nine weeks of work. In addition,
out-of-town students will receive on-campus housing at no charge. During
past summer programs, the students have organized weekend activities such
as camping trips, whitewater rafting, cookouts and trips to local points
of interest including Carlsbad Caverns, the WIPP site, nearby pueblos
and the Santa Fe Opera.
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