Tue. April 9, The Mortenson Center, The Sustainability Innovation Lab at Colorado (SILC), Impact Initiative, Future Earth, and Global Sustainability Scholars hosted an open house in the newly renovated office space (pictured below) in the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Community (SEEC) building.  Guests were invited to learn more about each organization, including their portfolio of research and activities. The Mortenson Center also gave tours of the new lab space.  (pictured above)

A new article published in PLOS Medicine presents the findings from a large scale cookstove and water filter intervention in Rwanda. Mortenson Director Evan Thomas first began working in Rwanda with Engineers Without Boarders in 2003. He designed and managed the intervention program and he and his team took it to scale from 2012 through 2016 under the leadership of DelAgua Health and the Rwanda Ministry of Health. This program reached nearly half a million people with water filters and cookstoves in 2014, and a further 1.2 million people with cookstoves in 2015 and 2016. The program was operationalized with support from nearly a thousand Community Health workers.

The program currently earns revenue through carbon credits verified under the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism and purchased by the Wold Bank, among others. This revenue enables on-going support of the program. 

The health impact study was led by Professor Thomas Clasen at Emory University, with lead authors Corey Nagel at the University of Arkansas and Miles Kirbey at Emory University.  Read the journal article titled, Effects of a large-scale distribution of water filters and natural draft rocket-style cookstoves on diarrhea and acute respiratory infection: A cluster-randomized controlled trial in Western Province, Rwanda.

The study demonstrated a reduction in the prevalence of reported diarrhea and acute respiratory infection in children under five years old by 29% and 25% respectively. These results were achieved at scale across the western province of Rwanda.

The results of this study have important implications for the viability of promoting and sustaining household health interventions at scale. This program and study are among the largest ever conducted of these kinds of interventions. 

Read a synopsis of the project in CU Boulder Today.

Mortenson Center's Associate Director and Associate Professor Amy Javernick-Will, along with co-PIs Abbie Liel (Structural Engineering) and Matt Koschmann (Communication) received a grant from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Humans, Disasters and the Built Environment program to study post-disaster shelter reconstruction programs in the Philippines and Puerto Rico. This research aims to transform post-disaster shelter reconstruction and lead to more resilient communities. Mortenson Center students Casie Venable and Briar Goldwyn will be working on this project in the Philippines and Puerto Rico respectively. 

The Mortenson Center's Associate Director and Professor of Sustainable Development, Karl Linden, has been awarded the  2019 Walter J. Weber Jr. AEESP Frontier in Research Award. This award is given annually to recognize an environmental engineering or science professor who has advanced the environmental engineering and science field through recognized research leadership and pioneering efforts in a new and innovative research area. About the award Dr. Linden said, "I am very lucky to have collaborated with stimulating colleagues and mentored so many amazing students who have brought their creativity and intellect to create impactful research that benefits our planet and its inhabitants." Dr. Linden will be awarded at the biannual AEESP Conference, at Arizona State University. 

Listen to the new OnCUE podcast  where host Josh Rhoten interviews Mortenson Center Director Evan Thomas. Evan talks about his work with Engineers Without Borders, the history of the Mortenson Center and what's coming next. 

A hearty congratulation to the following Mortenson Center students who are graduating and those moving on to earn their PhD:

Ryan Beil: MS in Environmental Engineering

Naomi Chang: MS in Environmental Engineering

Allie Davis: PhD in Civil Systems

Rachael Dobosiewicz: MS in Civil Engineering

Christopher Frishcosy: MS in Civil Engineering

Anisha Lamsal: MS in Environmental Engineering

Emily Moore: MS in Environmental Engineering

Rebecca Walsh: MS in Civil Systems

David Zelinka: Professional MS and PhD in Civil Systems

Matthew Falcone is the new student representative for the Mortenson Center. As representative he will work to further cultivate the Mortenson Center's culture of fellowship by mentoring the next generation of Global Engineering students, increasing the frequency of social events and improving student communication networks. Matthew will also serve as a voice for the students through communication with the Executive Committee. Matthew says, "Our greatest strength in the Mortenson Center is our capacity for open communication, collaboration and peer mentorship. . . .I am a proud member of the Mortenson Center and am honored to serve as the student representative."  

We are happy to have you!

The American Water Works Association awarded two Mortenson Center students prestigious scholarships: 

Kaity Mattos is the 2019 recipient of the American Water Scholarship. Founded in 1886 American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. 

Tara Randall is the 2019 recipient of the Hazen and Sawyer Scholarship. Since 1951 Hazen and Sawyer has focused on helping clients provide safe drinking water and controlling water pollution and its effects on the environment.

Congratulations to Allie Davis who just graduated with her PhD in Civil Systems and a Certificate in Engineering for Developing Communities.  Allie is currently in India presenting the findings of her dissertation to the 22 communities who partnered with, and participated in, her research. She received matching funds from the Mortenson Center to support this trip. Congratulations!

The Mortenson Center is pleased to announce that Matthew Falcone won a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRF) and PhD student James Harper has won a NSF Honorable Mention. 

Matthew Falcone is a first-year Environmental Engineering and Mortenson Center student.  His research addresses the challenges of ending drought emergencies both internationally and domestically. He intends to leverage his NSF GRF funding to develop innovative and impactful solutions to complex water challenges.

James Harper, PE is a PhD student in Civil Engineering specializing in Civil Systems and Engineering for Developing Communities. He is funded through the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship and is working in Cambodia and Bangladesh on fecal sludge management.

Mortenson Center student Nicollette Laroco is an Environmental Engineering doctoral candidate. She has been offered a Fulbright grant to study and conduct research in Barcelona, Spain. She will contribute to the work of an internationally recognized biogas research group with the goal of developing a novel approach to biogas purification. Current purification methods are limiting the recovery of this valuable resource due to their energy intensive nature and high capital operational costs. Nicollette's Fulbright will contribute to improving environmental impacts and energy recovery in both developed and developing economies worldwide. 

Mortenson Center student Casie Venable is being awarded the 2019 USAID OFDA HFHI Shelter and Settlements Fellowship. She was selected for her proposal to study friction between local understandings of safe shelter and expert assessments of safe shelter in the Philippines, as well as for her commitment to working with humanitarian shelter and settlements organizations to develop strategies that can address these challenges. 

Former EDC student Chayla Rowley was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to attend Dublin City University for a year in Ireland. She will be completing a Master's in Refugee Integration, which she plans to focus on the integration of refugee children via STEM-based activities. 

A U.S. citizen of European and Choctaw (indigenous) descent, Chayla grew up abroad before finding her way to CU Boulder. She completed a BS and MS in Civil Engineering with a focus on developing communities. She went on to work for the US Government in the CO Rockies to conserve natural resources and to promote civil rights. In her spare time, she engages young women in leadership and self-confidence building activities, volunteers for immigrant and refugee organizations and promotes and encourages American Indians in the STEM fields. While she is in Ireland, she will also be exploring the historic ties her Chahta ancestors have with the Irish. 

Washington, DC

Applicants will need at least five years of post MS hands-on experience in planning, designing, and safety assessment of dams for multi purpose. Learn more.  

Netherlands
Fri. July 26, 2019 - Deadline to apply

Mott MacDonald has two opportunities for early career professionals in their International Water, Environment and Climate Change Division. The group handles technical and project management support for water projects in Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Indonesia, and Egypt.  Apply.