News | Civil and Environmental Engineering

Two construction workers in yellow helmets pouring and leveling concrete over rebar, top-down.

Concrete More Resource-Intensive than Previously Thought, UC Davis Researchers Find

Recent News

Person in dark suit standing outside Department of Transportation entrance, white facade, blue sign

Blog: Hitting the Road for a Summer Internship in Transportation Engineering

by Audrey Quilala
October 16, 2026

Students

Civil engineering student Audrey Quilala rolls into her sophomore year with new skills, invaluable connections and a better idea of where her engineering journey could lead after an internship of hands-on projects and eye-opening site visits with the Sacramento County Department of Transportation.

Somayeh Nassiri with arms crossed standing behind trays of pavement samples in a lab.

Building on a Legacy: Somayeh Nassiri Named Director of UC Pavement Research Center

by Matt Marcure
August 11, 2026

The UCPRC turns research data into tools and practices used to improve California’s roads. Somayeh Nassiri, the center’s new director, is driven to advance the state’s leadership in pavement innovation and collaborating with transportation agencies across the nation.

UC Davis Professor Contributes to ‘State-of-the-Art’ Civil Engineering Book

by Matt Marcure
August 04, 2026

Professor Michele Barbato co-authored a chapter in the book recognized with a State-of-the-Art Civil Engineering Award by The American Society of Civil Engineers. The award celebrates the most gifted civil engineers who review and interpret scientific and technical information for the benefit of their colleagues.

Concrete More Resource-Intensive than Previously Thought, UC Davis Researchers Find

by Kat Kerlin, UC Davis Strategic Communications, and College of Engineering Communications
July 02, 2026

Concrete, the second-most-used material in the world, after water, requires significant resources for its production. A study in the journal Nature Sustainability from UC Davis researchers shows that global concrete production requires far more resources than previously estimated.

Burned hillside ruins with charred posts and cloudy sky

Researchers Find Carcinogenic Chromium-6 in Palisades, Altadena Fire Cleanup Zones

by UCLA Fielding School of Public Health
June 01, 2026

A carcinogen with potentially serious impacts on human health was found in neighborhoods in the months after the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires and may have spread to communities as far as six to nine miles downwind from the fire zones, according to newly published work by University of California researchers.

Aerial photo of suburban neighborhood with numerous burned, roofless houses and charred trees.

After the Fires: Protecting LA’s Trees While Learning Lessons for the Future

by Emily C. Dooley, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
May 26, 2026

Southern California is confronting another wildfire season while researchers from the University of California, Davis continue studying the lasting impacts of the devastating 2025 fires on air quality, human health and the environment. Their early findings are shaping future rebuilding strategies, public health precautions and fire resilience policies.

Keira Folkers in gold and blue stole on sunlit, tree-lined campus path

Keira Folkers: Outstanding Senior in Environmental Engineering

by Matt Marcure
May 26, 2026

Students

Before coming to UC Davis, Keira Folkers saw environmental engineering as a way to turn research into solutions that address climate issues and help protect ecosystems. Now, she sees it as a necessary piece in a much larger restoration and conservation puzzle.

Natalia Wilson in floral dress and yellow stole standing on tree-lined campus path

Natalia Wilson: Outstanding Senior in Civil Engineering

by Matt Marcure
May 26, 2026

Students

Engineering is both a rigorous discipline and an art form to Natalia Wilson, an outgoing civil engineering student at UC Davis. “Throughout my time here, I’ve come to understand that our engineering education is really about teaching a way to think,” she said.

Clifton Heatlie in light blue shirt against green foliage

Laying the Foundation: How Clifton Heatlie Took On the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

by Isaiah Sneed
May 21, 2026

Students

After months of studying, fourth-year civil engineering major Clifton Heatlie completed and passed his Fundamentals of Engineering exam. He reflects on the steps he took to prepare and other aspects of engineering at UC Davis that supported him along the way.

Kaveh Madani in suit speaking at podium with microphones and floral arrangement

Ph.D. Alum Named 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Recipient

by Jocelyn Anderson, UC Davis Magazine
May 20, 2026

Kaveh Madani, Ph.D. '09, is a global leader in water science and education.

View all news articles

Stay Connected

All COE News

View What's Trending in the UC Davis College of Engineering.

Engineering Progress Magazine

Engineering Progress is the annual magazine of the UC Davis College of Engineering. It highlights the outstanding work of the college’s faculty, students and alumni.

Next Level Research

Engineering a better world for all calls for solutions of a different caliber, demanding innovation across disciplines using a design-centric approach.

From Labs to Lives

Federal funding turns our engineering research into real-world solutions that improve the lives of all people and the planet.

Submit a Research Story

Help us share CEE research stories. Submit leads for new research, significant project updates or other newsworthy developments that deserve to be featured on our website and beyond.

Submit a Faculty Award

Has a faculty member received a research award or major recognition? Let us know so we can celebrate their achievement and share the news through the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering's website and communications channels.