Panagiota Karava, assistant professor of civil engineering, is among the Purdue researchers exploring ways to significantly reduce energy consumption by incorporating innovative strategies into the design and operation of new buildings, optimally linked with smart grids.

Congratulations to Larry Nies on receiving the 2013 Dean Marion B. Scott Outstanding Professor Award, presented by the Purdue chapter of Tau Beta Pi.

This award recognizes excellence in both research and service to the school, college and the university community.

Congratulations to Fernando Dri on receiving the Certificate of Excellence Award from the Purdue Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for his work on multiscale modeling of nanocellulose.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2012-2013 CE Alumni Achievement Awards: James Bonta, C. Michael Byers, Frederick Herget, Scott Rouse, and Huel-Sheng Tsay.

It's not uncommon for civil engineers today, often pushing the boundaries of their own expertise, to look to nature for a better design. Two among Purdue's ranks include John Haddock and Pablo Zavattieri.

Cover Story - "Engineering Efficiency: Researchers in architectural engineering look for sustainability in design."

Makarand Hastak, Professor of Civil Engineering and Head of Construction Engineering & Management, was among 50 fellows selected nationwide this year by the American Council on Education.

Prof. Antonio Bobet has been elected as the new president of the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) by its Board of Directors for the period 2013-2015. The appointment will start in June 2013 after the Association's annual Symposium.

Congratulations to Prof. Fred Mannering on being named a recipient of the 2013 Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Prof. Larry Nies has been teaching students about the importance of sustainability for more than a decade. Though the significance of enduring, productive systems is typically discussed in an engineering context in his classes, sustainability and productivity also characterize the instructional technology Nies has incorporated into coursework in recent semesters, notably his use of instructor- and student-produced online video.

Congratulations to Prof. Karava for receiving the 2013 New Investigator Award from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).