Research isn’t just for grad students:
Among his many contributions, the late Walter Scott, Jr. established the prestigious Scott Scholars Program to support undergraduate engineering students financially and academically. These scholars have the opportunity to perform research alongside world-class engineering faculty as early as their first year on campus.
The Scott Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) gives engineering students the rare chance to experience hands-on research as an undergraduate (and be paid for it!). They also get exposure to real-world issues within engineering, shaping their future academic path.
This year, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has five SURE students – here’s what they’re working on.
Evan Gouldey
Environmental Engineering
Snowpack variability
along mountain roads
Evan Gouldey is a Scott Scholar studying environmental engineering. He is helping improve snowpack measurements for better water supply estimates from snowmelt. The amount of snowpack each winter helps engineers predict the amount of snowmelt surrounding water supplies will receive across the warmer seasons.
The challenge? When snowy mountain roads are plowed, large snowbanks are formed, potentially distorting snowpack measures and snowmelt predictions. Evan is working with Professor Jeff Niemann and snow hydrology Professor Steven Fassnacht (Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability) to determine the impact snow plowing may have on snowpack measurements. He takes snow core samples at various distances from the snowbanks along Highway 14 near Cameron Pass. He then compares snowpack levels for the disturbed snow versus the undisturbed snow.
Evan grew up in Fort Collins and his interest in research came from working with drones at the CSU Foothills Campus.
“This was such a great opportunity as a Scott Scholar, I couldn’t pass it up,” said Evan. “The project on snowpack interested me because I’m into winter sports and want to eventually study water quality issues.”
"This was such a great opportunity as a Scott Scholar, I couldn’t pass it up."
Elsie Morris
Environmental Engineering
Developing bioprocesses to make fuel precursors from food waste
Scott Scholar Elsie Morris is breaking down food waste into the chemical components needed to make biofuels. She works with Associate Professor Susan De Long, Postdoctoral Researcher Laura Schaerer, and fellow SURE participant Jessie Strong (chemical and biological engineering) to optimize the process and produce the most desirable volatile fatty acids for biofuel. For Elsie, the project is a win-win by both repurposing waste and providing a clearer, more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
“Many of my classes right now are physics-based,” said Elsie. “I enjoy the hands-on biochemistry side of engineering, which I didn’t know much about previously.”
Originally from Denver, Elsie came to CSU to study environmental engineering. She knew she wanted to study environmental issues and renewable energy, yet it was a football game that solidified her decision to enroll.
“I came to a CSU football game as a freshman in high school and saw the volunteers sorting compost and recycling from trash, and that really impressed me,” said Elsie. “CSU has such an obvious focus on sustainability.”
“I enjoy the hands-on biochemistry side of engineering, which I didn’t know much about previously.”
Gillian Delgado
Environmental Engineering
Modeling microbial metabolic interactions
Gillian Delgado is a first-generation student modeling the rate of splitting cells, using coding with embedded artificial intelligence. Individuals with illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome have an altered microbiome, causing cells to split differently.
She is working with the research team led by chemical and biological engineering Assistant Professor Joshua Chan to model an optimal split rate for cells by altering glycogen levels. The goal is to better understand how cells are behaving and how that behavior can be replicated and predicted to improve medical diagnoses and treatments.
Gillian is an environmental engineering major from Anchorage, Alaska. She admits she was first drawn to CSU for the skiing here in Colorado. She spends most summers on a tender boat in Bristol Bay with her dad, transporting fish to the cannery for local fishers.
“Growing up in Alaska where there’s a lot of oil, my original interest was in biology and then evolved into water and environmental issues,” said Gillian.
“I wanted to find ways to make the places I love stay around.”
“I wanted to find ways to make the places I love stay around.”
Jonathan Arceo
Civil Engineering
Social equity in transportation
First-generation student Jonathan Arceo is creating assignments for civil engineering students like him to understand the role of social equity in transportation infrastructure design, including roads, bridges, and even sidewalks. When transportation is designed without considering the populations who will use them, significant barriers for accessing groceries, healthcare, and employment can arise for the most vulnerable groups.
Jonathan uses his perspective as a first-year engineering student to work with Professor Becki Atadero on stakeholder analysis, developing engaging educational content with practical applications.
“In one of my civil engineering labs, my team was tasked with redesigning a city in AutoCAD. I was responsible for the transportation layout, which interested me because I knew very little about it,” said Jonathan. “I saw how important transportation was, but may often be overlooked.”
Jonathan grew up in Frederick, Colorado. His father works in construction and geotechnical drilling and encouraged Jonathan to consider civil engineering. Jonathan enjoys the challenge of the subject and is interested in all facets of the field.
“Nothing is boring. All of this is interesting, so none of it feels like work.”
“Nothing is boring. All of this is interesting, so none of it feels like work.”
Solomon Baum
Civil Engineering
Creating multimedia resources on social and sustainability aspects of transportation projects
Civil engineering student Solomon Baum is developing resources to educate engineering students on how transportation projects impact communities and the environment. Along with engineering peers Jennifer Gutierrez (mechanical engineering) and Maegan Griffin (mechanical/biomedical engineering), the team wants to ensure transportation is a more central consideration in projects rather than an afterthought.
“We want to implement transportation engineering into the broader curriculum, so there is a greater understanding of what it is and how it can impact people and the environment,” said Solomon. “This includes everyone from the people who design infrastructure to the people who build roads and live in the surrounding community.”
The team works with Teaching Associate Professor Pinar Omur-Ozbek to create multimedia resources, such as videos and activities, to educate future engineers on the ways transportation engineering affects everyone, but not always equally. They are reviewing past and current transportation projects to identify adverse impacts and how they can be avoided in the future.
Solomon is a first-year, first-generation student from Las Vegas, Nevada. He was drawn to this project as an opportunity to create resources improving the education and awareness of both current students like him and future engineering students.
“We want to incorporate transportation into the broader engineering curriculum, so there is a greater understanding of what it is and how it can impact people and the environment."
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering educates the engineers of the future who will help create a more sustainable, innovative, and safer world. Our students can major in:
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Engineering (new for fall 2025!)
- Environmental Engineering
Our students engage in meaningful research with world-class faculty, then go on to begin careers in engineering. In fact, 92% of CSU engineering graduates secure a job in their field! Learn more by scheduling a department tour!