Hamed Zamenian, doctoral student in Civil Engineering, was awarded the Argent Memorial Scholarship from North America Society of Trenchless Technology (NASTT) in Dallas, TX on March 28, 2016. The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) is an engineering society of individuals, public organizations and private companies engaged in the advancement of less disruptive technologies for utility installation and renewal. The Education Committee of the NASTT awards 3-5 scholarships per year to students in engineering and related disciplines, who are pursing research in trenchless technology and underground infrastructure in North American universities. The selection criteria for these scholarships include: excellence in academics, demonstration of research engagement in trenchless projects/activities, and demonstration of leadership in activities related to underground construction.

Hamed works with Professor Dulcy Abraham and is pursuing doctoral research related to the socioeconomic assessment of water main breaks in water supply and distribution systems. He is expecting to complete his doctoral studies by May 2017. Hamed is also pursuing the Environmental Policy Certification Program in the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts at Purdue University, and an MBA from Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Since Fall 2013, Hamed has received academic awards from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), the Underground Construction Association (UCA), the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME), the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA), the National Utility Contractor Association (NUCA), and the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO). In April 2015, Hamed participated, as one of two graduate students from Purdue University, in the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop held in Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. This workshop sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to educate graduate students about the role of science and engineering in policy-making and to empower them by providing knowledge related to: (1) federal policy-making processes, (2) effective science communication and civic engagement, and (3) effective advocacy for science and engineering research.

(Left to right) Dr. Jason Lueke (Practice Leader, Trenchless Services Inc., member - NASTT Education Committee), Hamed Zamenian (Ph.D. candidate, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University), Tony Hranicka (Senior Vice President, Progressive Pipeline Management, member - NASTT Education Committee)