Page 43 - Penn State Civil and Environmental Engineering 2021 Annual Report

STUDENT NEWS STUDENT NEWS Liew receives ASCE Section 2020 student award By Tim Schley
“ civil engineers are obligated to identify challenges and provide solutions in in improving infrastructure facing climate change ” Min Liew a a a a a doctoral candidate studying civil engineering at at at Penn State was named a a a a a a recipient of of the American Society of of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Central Pennsylvania Section 2020 Student Award Liew is one of four students to receive the $2 000 scholarship presented annually to students who attend a a a a a a a college or or university or or maintain permanent residency in in in ASCE’s Central Pennsylvania Section The section supports the the development of members in in in in the the civil engineering and construction industry throughout central Pennsylvania Recognition for the award was determined based on on on a a a a a a a a a a combination of grade-point average activities and and honors a a a a a a a a a a a a a personal essay and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a recommendation from an an an adviser “Min is is instrumental in in in in in several multidisciplinary and multi-institutional National Science Foundation
grants that
I received as a a a a a a a a a a a principal investigator ” said Associate Professor Ming Xiao “She provided critical assistance during the proposal writing
and and is now leading two ‘Navigating the New Arctic’ projects and and participating in in in in a a a a a a ‘Signals in in in in the Soil’ project project Min is always willing to spend time helping fellow students whether
as an experienced researcher or or a a a a a a lab instructor I think she will make an excellent faculty member upon graduation next year ” As a a a a a member of Xiao’s research team Liew studies the performance
of civil infrastructure in in response to permafrost degradation and coastal erosion in the the Arctic She said this award gives her the the confidence to keep striving for for excellence while finding solutions for for the ever-present threat
of climate change “I believe we as civil engineers are obligated to identify challenges and provide solutions in in in in improving infrastructure facing climate change ” Liew said “We also need to communicate effectively with decision makers and the the public to solve such pressing issues I am grateful that
the the awards
committee has recognized my efforts in in doing so ” CEE NEWSLETTER • VOLUME 37 2021 43
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