News

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 �鶹ӰԺ 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 �鶹ӰԺ’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 Chancellor Justin Schwartz at the University of Colorado Board of Regents meeting on Feb. 6.

“When I came to CU �鶹ӰԺ 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 University’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 University of California Davis. Before coming to Colorado, he was a professor at University of North Carolina Charlotte and Duke University.

“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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Meet Assistant Professor Eduardo Montalto

sugl6437 — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:39:48 +0000

Meet Assistant Professor Eduardo Montalto sugl6437 Wed, 02/04/2026 - 16:39

Susan Glairon

What were you doing prior to joining the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering?

Before graduate school, I worked as a design engineer in Costa Rica on new design projects as well as conducted seismic assessments and retrofits of existing buildings.

In 2025, I obtained my PhD in civil and environmental engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, under Associate Professor Dimitrios Konstantinidis. My doctoral work focused on the performance of seismic isolation devices, systems that reduce how much earthquake shaking reaches a building. This is done by placing flexible devices between foundations and buildings. During an earthquake, the ground can move, but the building above moves more slowly and less violently—helping prevent damage and collapse. These systems can achieve higher performance than traditional approaches in which buildings resist earthquakes by permitting damage in specific elements such as beams, columns or walls. The building stays standing, but those parts are damaged and often need major repairs.

My work combined mechanical theory, advanced numerical modeling and large-scale laboratory testing to understand how these devices perform and quantify their limits.

What are your main research interests or focus areas?

My research sits at the intersection of structural mechanics, earthquake engineering and innovative structural systems. As mentioned, one focus is developing affordable, sustainable, low-damage seismic protection devices. A second focus is the development of computer models that look at buildings from a microscopic scale to the entire structure. This helps us better understand how buildings behave under extreme conditions, especially when they use unconventional materials.

What drew you to CU �鶹ӰԺ?

I was drawn to CU �鶹ӰԺ and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences for their strong commitment to innovation that creates real-world impact and sustainable solutions, supported by a strong culture of collaboration and interdisciplinary research. I believe this environment will enrich my work and amplify its impact. I was also deeply attracted to the institution’s inclusive culture. Of course, the proximity to the Flatirons and Rocky Mountains doesn’t hurt either.

How does your work connect to real-world problems or applications?

Natural hazards continue to cause significant human and economic losses worldwide because many buildings and infrastructure systems are not designed to withstand extreme events.

My work focuses on developing new technologies that make buildings and infrastructure safer and more reliable while keeping them affordable and environmentally friendly. This involves both hands-on testing and computer simulations to understand how these new technologies and materials behave under different conditions.

Are there any specific projects or collaborations you’re excited to start here?

I’m excited to use the facilities of the Center for Infrastructure, Energy and Space Testing (CIEST) to carry out material and large-scale tests that are necessary for the work I envision. I also believe that my work on computational simulations will foster valuable collaborations with other faculty and researchers of civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering. From a teaching standpoint, I’m looking forward to using the Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory, a unique resource that provides engineering students with hands-on learning experiences.

What’s something you’re passionate about outside of work?

I’m a tennis fan who enjoys playing on the weekends—when the weather cooperates—and I follow professional tournaments. You’ll also find me exploring new hikes and parks with my family and my beloved dog, Iga. And last, but not least, I’m a coffee enthusiast who enjoys a freshly brewed cup in the afternoon, as well as sampling beans from around the world.

Eduardo Montalto researches affordable, sustainable seismic protection systems designed to reduce how much earthquake shaking reaches a building and minimize structural damage. He also develops advanced computer models to better understand how buildings perform under extreme conditions, particularly when constructed with unconventional materials.

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Climate change is eating away at NYC bridges

sugl6437 — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 18:01:25 +0000

Climate change is eating away at NYC bridges sugl6437 Fri, 01/30/2026 - 11:01

As New York is increasingly battered by heat waves, flooding, sea level rise and other effects of climate change, its infrastructure as well as its people will face new kinds of threats. Professor Emeritus Paul Chinowsky says municipal agencies may not be able to keep funding necessary bridge repairs as climate change intensifies the wear and tear on bridges and strains the city budget.

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Cresten Mansfeldt, a SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education faculty fellow

sugl6437 — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:30:31 +0000

Cresten Mansfeldt, a SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education faculty fellow sugl6437 Fri, 01/30/2026 - 10:30

Assistant Professor Cresten Mansfeldt has been selected as an inaugural SPIKE Faculty Fellow, part of a new CU �鶹ӰԺ initiative to expand and strengthen sustainability education across campus. The 13 fellows will help lead faculty training, contribute to university-wide sustainability efforts and advance teaching focused on environmental and climate justice.

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Hernandez interviewed by Time on indoor air quality

sugl6437 — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:17:40 +0000

Hernandez interviewed by Time on indoor air quality sugl6437 Fri, 01/30/2026 - 09:17

Professor Mark Hernandez is featured in a new Time article about the benefits of airing out your home during cold winter months. Common in Germany for perceived health benefits, the practice is becoming trendy in the United States.

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Evan Thomas wins International Water Association Career Award for Global Water Impact

Susan Glairon — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:59:40 +0000

Evan Thomas wins International Water Association Career Award for Global Water Impact Susan Glairon Mon, 12/15/2025 - 15:59

Professor Evan Thomas, director of the Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience, received a major career honor from the International Water Association for his work that has reshaped how safe drinking water is delivered in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.

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Reconstructing the ancient Indus River

Susan Glairon — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:18:20 +0000

Reconstructing the ancient Indus River Susan Glairon Thu, 12/11/2025 - 17:18

By combining hydrology and paleoclimate modeling, Professor Balaji Rajagopalan and colleagues uncovered the long-standing mystery behind the disappearance of the Harappan Civilization.

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