In this episode, Aakriti Khadka, a recent PhD graduate from North Carolina State University, and Tara Cavalline, PhD., P.E., of UNC Charlotte, share their journeys into civil engineering and concrete materials research. Tara reflects on her path from graduate research at Penn State to a career in structural forensics, as well as the challenges of completing a PhD while teaching, working, and raising a family. Aakriti discusses how Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake inspired her interest in structural safety and resilience, leading to doctoral research focused on the behavior of large-scale concrete bridges. Together, they explore the importance of infrastructure resilience, lessons learned from recent natural disasters, and the challenges of designing durable bridges in demanding environments. The conversation also highlights the role of mentorship, professional involvement, and ACI programs in supporting students and early-career engineers as they build their careers.

Check out the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/53tO-eBLagU

Engineering Greatness is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Héctor Montilla-Peña, EIT, CMIT, field engineer at Allan Myers, and Jocivan Cabrera, graduate engineer at Walter P Moore, join the conversation to share how they found their path into civil engineering and became active in the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Both guests reflect on discovering the field through early academic experiences and getting involved with ACI through student chapters—Héctor in Ecuador and Jocivan at the University of Central Florida. They discuss stepping into leadership roles and how ACI opened doors to friendships, faculty relationships, research opportunities, and professional networks that helped shape their careers. The discussion also explores their first ACI convention experiences and their involvement in committee work focused on supporting students and young professionals. Héctor and Jocivan reflect on key decisions during college and the early stages of their careers, including graduate school choices, internships, and evolving interests across design, structures, and construction management. They close by encouraging students and emerging professionals to seek opportunities, step outside their comfort zones, and take advantage of programs like ACI’s mentor program to make the most of conventions and build lasting professional connections.

Check out the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/Bc40uDRwprY

Engineering Greatness is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, Dr. Jialuo He, Research Assistant Professor at Washington State University, and Dr. Lori Tunstall, Assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Mines, share the unique paths that led them into civil and environmental engineering. Dr. He reflects on his shift from polymer materials to pioneering work in self-healing concrete, tracing an academic journey that spans multiple institutions and research disciplines. Dr. Tunstall discusses her unexpected move from an English major to an engineering career fueled by a deep curiosity for concrete materials and their real-world applications. Together, they highlight the power of interdisciplinary learning, the role of curiosity in shaping research trajectories, and the importance of professional networks—especially through the American Concrete Institute. The conversation offers a forward-looking perspective on the rapidly evolving field of concrete materials and the innovative approaches shaping its future.

Check out the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/ouLY6RnHZqY

Engineering Greatness is produced by Association Briefings.