Engineering Greatness

In this episode, Aakriti Khadka, a recent PhD graduate from North Carolina State University, and Tara Cavalline, PhD., P.E., of UNC Charlotte, share their journeys into civil engineering and concrete materials research. Tara reflects on her path from graduate research at Penn State to a career in structural forensics, as well as the challenges of completing a PhD while teaching, working, and raisi...

In this episode, Héctor Montilla-Peña, EIT, CMIT, field engineer at Allan Myers, and Jocivan Cabrera, graduate engineer at Walter P Moore, join the conversation to share how they found their path into civil engineering and became active in the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Both guests reflect on discovering the field through early academic experiences and getting involved with ACI through stu...

In this episode, Dr. Jialuo He, Research Assistant Professor at Washington State University, and Dr. Lori Tunstall, Assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Mines, share the unique paths that led them into civil and environmental engineering. Dr. He reflects on his shift from polymer materials to pioneering work in self-healing concrete, tracing an academic journey that spans multiple institu...

In this episode, Destry Kenning, product manager at SureBuilt Manufacturing, and Chris Garcia, structures project manager at DPR Construction, share their journeys from the classroom to the construction site. They discuss how real-world experience shaped their careers in civil engineering and concrete, the mentors who guided their growth, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation hig...

In this episode, Emilia Clavijo, Graduate Research Assistant at Auburn University, and Amanda Angelo, FACI, Regional Fiber Specialist at Sika USA, share their paths into civil engineering and the experiences that shaped their careers. Amanda discusses her unexpected shift from pre-med to civil engineering, sparked by a fascination with concrete, and how that passion led her to pursue a PhD in infr...

In this episode, Danny Smyl, PhD, PE, Assistant Professor Georgia Institute of Technology and Stephanie Paal, Associated Professor Texas A&M University College of Engineering, share their unique journeys into civil engineering and how international work-life experiences shaped their careers. They discuss their commitment to advancing the field through machine learning and reflect on their acti...

In this episode, Maria Juenger, Professor at The University of Texas at Austin and current president of ACI, joins Megan Voss-Warner, PhD, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Evansville, to share their personal paths into the world of civil engineering. Megan reflects on her journey from studying chemistry to discovering a passion for materials science and civil engineeri...

In this episode, Joshua D. Gilman, P.E., director of sustainable infrastructure at the Portland Cement Association, and Andrés Matos Ortiz, P.E., project manager at Millennia Professional Services, share their unique career journeys from geotechnical engineering to the world of concrete and sustainable infrastructure. They discuss how their geotechnical expertise shapes their current work in concr...

In this episode, Madonna Saad, a recent graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Vania Del Carmen Moreno-Colin, a student at the University of Washington, share their journeys in civil engineering. Vania reflects on her transition from participating in a rocketry team to taking on leadership roles within ACI, while Madonna discusses her active involvement in engineering clubs and...

In this episode, Joseph Grout of Texas State University and Emma Roth from South Dakota State University, students in Concrete Industry Management (CIM) programs, share their unique journeys into the field. Emma’s entry was inspired by her father’s career, while Joe shifted from computer animation to concrete sculpture. They discuss research on 3D-printed concrete structures, balancing technical s...

In this episode, Katey O'Quinn, a civil engineer at the Bureau of Reclamation, teams up with Michael Paul, principal structural engineer at Larsen & Landis and president of the American Concrete Institute, to share their career experiences. They discuss the pivotal role of mentorship and ACI committees in shaping their paths, with Katey spotlighting the ACI Foundation Fellowship that supported...

In this episode, Linfei Li, Ph. D., assistant research professor of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine, co-hosts with Dr. Xijun Shi, assistant professor in the Ingram School of Engineering at Texas State University. Join them as they discuss their journey from students to professionals in civil engineering, highlighting the vital roles of hard work, resilience...

In this episode, Kamran Amini, Ph. D., P.E., senior material engineer at AltaVista Solutions, co-hosts with Gabriel Arce, research scientist at the Virginia Department of Transportation. Join them as they delve into their shared love for concrete. From academic journeys to professional development, they discuss their fascination with this essential material and the exciting projects they're involv...

In the season 2 premier, Bruno Fong-Martinez, PhD, concrete engineer at Kiewit, co-hosts with Catherine Lucero, civil engineer at the Bureau of Reclamation. Join them as they dive into their captivating career journeys in civil engineering. Together, they explore the significance of mentors and advisors in the field, share insights on pursuing graduate degrees, discuss their research initiatives a...

In episode 17, Mirian Velay-Lizancos Ph. D., assistant professor in the civil engineering department at Purdue University, co-hosts with Prannoy Suraneni, PhD, assistant professor in the civil and architectural engineering department at the University of Miami. Join them as they discuss their career journey in civil engineering, research initiatives and interests, and the importance of being invol...

In episode 16, Mary Christiansen, associate professor in civil engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth, co-hosts with Nishant Garg, assistant professor in civil & environmental engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Join them as they discuss their career journey, which culminated in academics, advice for students who are considering a career in academia, what int...

In episode 15, Sriramya Nair, assistant professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, co-hosts with Dr. Cameron Murray, assistant professor at the University of Arkansas. Join them as they discuss working in academics, influences on their career, their involvement in the ACI community, and advice for students who are considering a career in academia. Check o...

In episode 14, Dr. Alvaro Ruiz Emparanza, Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Miami, co-hosts with Antonio Nanni, ACI president and chair of the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at the University of Miami. Join them as they discuss their passion for concrete and civil engineering, their journey to the U.S., their involvement in ACI, and current and future industry challeng...

In episode 13, Elissa Narro Aguirre, Administrative Manager for Concretos Narro and Professor at Universidad Americana del Noreste (UANE), co-hosts with her brother, Alejandro Narro Aguirre, Chief Executive Officer for Concretos Narro. Join them as they discuss mentoring the next generation of concrete professionals, working together, and their involvement with the ACI Northeast Mexico Chapter. Th...

In episode 12, we give the hosting reins to  David Orense , Structural Materials Engineer at SK&A Structural Engineers, and  Madeleine Murphree , a civil engineering graduate from the University of Florida. Join them as they talk about choosing the right career path and starting in mix design, advice on starting an ACI student chapter, the importance of being involved in industry organizations...

In episode 11, we give the hosting reins to Jonathan Lyle , Project Superintendent for McCarthy Building Companies, and Keila Lombardozzi , Superintendent for DPR Construction. Join them as they talk about their journey into construction management, how ACI shaped their passion for the concrete industry, the importance of student competitions, and making connections for career growth. Check out th...

In episode 10, we give the hosting reins to Faraj Shahrstan , Bridge Engineer Associate for Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., and Matthew Allen , Structural EIT at Dillon Consulting Limited. Join them as they talk about what drew them to civil engineering, the importance of student competitions, their career journeys, engineering in Canada, and the importance of being involved in organizatio...

In episode 9, we give the hosting reins to Erika Mae Buela , chairperson for ACI's Council of Student Leaders, and Jade Allyson Pelayo , civil engineering student, Funvel Group Limited. Join them as they talk about what got them started in civil engineering, how to choose the right specialization, their passion for the profession, and the importance of being involved in organizations like ACI. Che...

In episode 8, we give the hosting reins to Jesus Gonzalez , research engineer at Fortera, and  Yogiraj Sargam, PhD , director of research at CarbonCure Technologies. Join them as they talk about their civil engineering career paths, particularly in the concrete industry, their moves to the United States, ongoing lab work, skills in being a successful researcher, and getting involved with ACI. Chec...

In episode 7, we give the hosting reins to Heather Todak , senior associate at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., and   Marisol Tsui-Chang , PE, senior project engineer at Olson Engineering, Inc. Join them as they talk about their civil engineering career paths, their industry influences and challenges, and getting involved with ACI.  Check out the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/936r_TJ...