Thanks to support from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Visiting Council (CEEVC), the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department (CEE) awarded the William M. Boone Scholarships to four undergraduate students, the Richard Nettleton Memorial Scholarships to one graduate and three undergraduate students, and a total of $7,500 Graduate Assistant Fellowships to five doctoral students.
William M. Boone Scholarship
Annika Burstein of Oakton, Virginia was awarded a $1800 scholarship. She is a senior and plans to graduate in May 2021. She is studying civil engineering with a minor in mechanical engineering technology. Her interests are in creating efficient and creative technology, and the safety and stability of classic engineering designs and constructions. Annika most recently worked as an engineering intern with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center rotating through the Naval Architecture/Structures, Electrical, and Mechanical/Gas Turbine divisions. She is active with the Society of Women Engineers.
Brenton Butler of Norfolk, Virginia was awarded a $1800 scholarship. He is a junior and plans to graduate in December 2021. He is studying civil engineering with a minor in management. His interests are in civil/construction project engineering, and in residential and commercial development. Brenton is on active duty with the U. S. Navy presently serving as a Nuclear Propulsion Instructor and Work Controls/Procedure coordinator (SSN 771), and is a Naval Scuba Diver. Previously, he was a Nuclear Propulsion Plant Supervisor on board LA Class fast-attack submarine SSN 756.
Matthew Fanghella, EIT of Virginia Beach, Virginia received a $3200 scholarship. He is a junior and plans to graduate in May 2021. His interests are in water resources, particularly in clean drinking water and the effects of pollution and flooding generated by stormwater runoff. Matthew has most recently worked with the City of Virginia Beach in Public Utilities. Previously he worked with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality as a Regional MS4 Permit and Compliance Coordinator. He is active with the Virginia Section of the American Water Works Association and has already earned his professional designation as an Engineer-In-Training.
Joseph Fawzy, of Richmond, Virginia received a $3200 scholarship. He is a senior and plans to graduate in May 2021. He seeks to have a broad understanding of the breath of civil engineering. Joseph most recently worked as an Engineering Intern developing plans and specifications for the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel expansion project. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is a Civic Scholar with the CIVIC Leadership Institute.
Graduate Assistant Fellowship
The following five students were awarded $1,500 fellowships:
Giridhar Kattepogu is studying Transportation Engineering researching "Demand Estimation Under Over Saturated Conditions." He is using field data, computer simulation and programming for estimating demand under variable demand, especially for over saturated conditions.
George Admako Kumi is studying Structural Engineering with a focus on the thermal-elastic-plastic behavior of steel beam columns subjected to axial, biaxial bending and torsional loading.
H.M. Stanikzai is studying Structural Engineering researching the Probabilistic Analysis for Seismic Base Isolation Systems".
Homa Jalaeian Taghadomi is studying Environmental Engineering with a focus on "Rainfall-Runoff Relationship and Flood Mitigation in a Coastal Watershed."
Anuj Thakkar is studying Environmental Engineering researching the utilization of biomass from various sources like agricultural residue (lignocellulose), dedicated cultivation (algae) and industrial waste (spent yeast). The objective of this research is to develop and design biomass conversion processes which produce minimal waste, high energy efficiency, zero toxicity, cost-effective, and minimal impact over life cycle. The focus is on the application of hydrothermal processes for extraction and conversion of biomass to biofuels and value-added products like levulinic acid, biocarbon electrode material, proteins, carbohydrates, antioxidants and biofuels.
Rich Nettleton Memorial Scholarship
This special award was named in memory of Richard "Rich" Nettleton, ODU Alumni '94, Engineer, and volunteer with the Civil and Environmental Engineering Visiting Council (CEEVC). Mr. Nettleton was a public utility engineer with the City of Virginia Beach. Through the support of the Nettleton Family and the CEEVC, the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department awarded financial awards to the following undergraduate and graduate students.
Fozi Alkaifi, Bhabani Shankar Dhital, John Morton and Bobby Rincham
Century Concrete Scholarship
The following undergraduate students were each awarded $2,500 scholarships from Century Concrete, a long-time corporate partner of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology. These students were selected by CEE Faculty for their academic achievements and promise:
Rose Huynh and Matthew Fanghella, EIT