News
Grants & Research Funding Highlights
The Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering continues to lead innovative research initiatives supported by federal and state agencies. Current active grants and awards demonstrate the department’s commitment to advancing transportation technology, electrification, mobility optimization, and public safety across Tennessee and beyond.
Center for Electrified and Automated Trucking (CEAT) Mobility Dashboard
PI: Dr. Sabya Mishra
Amount: $100,000 | Duration: 2025–2026
This project develops a comprehensive mobility dashboard to support the Center for
Electrified and Automated Trucking (CEAT). The dashboard integrates congestion analysis,
crash risk mapping, electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure data, and industrial freight
activity to help public agencies and private partners optimize freight movement throughout
Tennessee. The tool will support real-time decision-making for transportation planners
and industry stakeholders.
Optimizing V2G-Enabled Electric School Bus Fleets
PI: Dr. Sabya Mishra
Amount: $75,000 | Duration: 2025–2026
This study focuses on improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of electric
school bus operations through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. The research develops
an optimization framework to balance charging schedules, grid revenue opportunities,
and battery life management—helping school districts transition to cleaner, smarter
transportation systems.
NSF Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) – REACH Project
PI: Dr. Sabya Mishra
Amount: $75,000 | Duration: 2024–2025
The REACH Project explores innovative rural mobility solutions in communities surrounding
Blue Oval City. By designing a multimodal transit system that connects residents to
employment and education opportunities, this project addresses mobility gaps in rapidly
industrializing rural regions. The research combines community engagement with data
analytics to propose equitable and sustainable transit strategies.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Innovating Rural Resilience Through Smart Landfill Fire Detection
PI: Dr. Rouzbeh Nazari
Amount: $316,400 | Duration: 2025–2027
This USDA-funded project focuses on improving the environmental resilience of rural
and underserved communities by developing early-detection systems for landfill fires.
Using advanced remote sensing, data analytics, and fire-risk modeling, Dr. Nazari’s
research team aims to predict and prevent landfill fires that threaten air quality,
soil health, and groundwater. The project also integrates community outreach and stakeholder
training to strengthen local capacity for sustainable waste-management practices and
climate adaptation.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Advancing the Safety of Coastal Communities From Earthquake-Induced Ground Motion
PI: Dr. Shahram Pezeshk
Amount: $85,189 | Duration: 2025–2026
This USGS grant supports the development of an updated ground-motion model tailored
to coastal and sediment-rich regions such as the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Dr.
Pezeshk’s work refines seismic hazard assessments by accounting for the complex geologic
conditions that amplify earthquake shaking in these areas. The project’s findings
will directly inform national hazard maps, guide structural design codes, and enhance
the resilience of coastal infrastructure and communities against seismic risks.
NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) – CEAT (Center Grant)
PI: Dr. Sabya Mishra
Amount: $1.5 million | Duration: 2024–2029
This long-term NSF center grant establishes the University of Memphis as a key partner
in the national Center for Electrified and Automated Trucking (CEAT). The research
advances the electrification of freight systems through studies on vehicle platooning,
workforce training, infrastructure readiness, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications.
The project’s outcomes will help accelerate the U.S. transition toward sustainable
and automated trucking operations.
Tennessee Economic & Community Development (TNECD)
TDAI-FLEET: AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance for Trucking Fleets
PI: Dr. Subhash Jha | Co-PI: Dr. Sabya Mishra
Amount: $500,000 | Partner: FedEx
This project develops an artificial intelligence–based predictive maintenance system
for Tennessee’s trucking fleets, combining telematics data and advanced analytics
to reduce equipment failures. The system will monitor both diesel and electric fleets
to improve reliability, reduce downtime, and guide long-term investment planning.
A dashboard interface will support fleet operators with daily maintenance insights
and performance tracking.
Designing Multimodal Transit for Blue Oval City and Volkswagen
PI: Dr. Sabya Mishra
Amount: $500,000 | Duration: 2024–2026
This grant supports the creation of data-driven, AI-enhanced transit models serving
Ford’s Blue Oval City and Volkswagen facilities. The research aims to design efficient
multimodal transportation systems that connect workers across regional corridors while
reducing congestion, emissions, and commuting costs.
Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO)
Strategies to Reduce Alcohol-Impaired Crashes in Tennessee
PI: Dr. Sabya Mishra
Amount: $179,999 | Duration: 2024–2029
This long-term initiative develops a statewide crash risk analysis framework to identify
high-risk zones and target interventions for reducing alcohol-impaired driving. The
project incorporates geospatial data and behavioral studies to design community-based
safety campaigns and law enforcement strategies that address local risk factors.
Comparative Analysis of Distracted Driving Behavior (Shelby County)
Co-PI: Dr. Sabya Mishra
Amount: $185,749 | Duration: 2024–2025
This research examines distracted driving behavior among adolescents in Shelby County
through simulator-based assessments and awareness campaigns. Findings will help shape
educational outreach and policy recommendations to mitigate distracted driving risks
among young drivers.
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
Influencing Mode Shift Through Behavioral Change Strategies – Phase II
PI: Dr. Sabya Mishra
Amount: $249,000 | Duration: 2024–2026
This project uses behavioral science and mobile app technology to encourage Tennesseans
to adopt more sustainable travel modes such as transit, biking, and carpooling. By
combining incentives and “nudge” techniques, the study aims to shift travel behavior
toward lower-emission, multimodal options and improve overall transportation system
efficiency.
Upskill Mid-South
MOVE: Mobility Optimization & Vehicle Electrification (Online Course)
Instructor: Dr. Sabya Mishra | Contributor: Jaya Prakash Narayana Raavi
Amount: $300,000
The MOVE initiative is an online workforce training course designed to upskill professionals
in the rapidly growing field of electric and automated mobility. Participants learn
about electric vehicle technologies, charging systems, route optimization, and how
mobility data analytics can be applied to design smarter and more sustainable transportation
networks.
Departmental Impact
Together, these research initiatives represent over $3.5 million in active grant funding awarded to CCEE faculty between 2024 and 2029. Supported by major agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Tennessee Economic & Community Development (TNECD), and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), these projects highlight the University of Memphis’ leadership in advancing environmental resilience, transportation electrification, and public infrastructure safety.
Learn More about these projects here
Global Recognition: UofM PhD Student Takes First Place at ASCE Ports 2025
Civil Engineering PhD candidate Navid Joushideh earned First Place in the ASCE Ports ’25 Student Paper Competition, held in Providence, Rhode Island, at one of the most distinguished international conferences in the field of port, maritime, and coastal engineering.
Navid’s award-winning paper was recognized for its innovation, technical depth, and practical impact on improving port rehabilitation practices—demonstrating excellence in both academic research and real-world engineering application. His achievement not only highlights the strength of his work but also underscores the strength of the University of Memphis’ Civil Engineering graduate program and its growing reputation on the global stage.
Congratulations to Navid Joushideh on this impressive international achievement!
Memphis Canstruction Jr. 2025: Building for a Brighter & Better Community
The 2025 Memphis Canstruction Jr. competition brought creativity, engineering, and community impact together at the University of Memphis, showcasing the incredible talent of middle and high school students from across the region.
Hosted by the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering in partnership with the Herff College of Engineering, West Tennessee Branch of ASCE, and the West Tennessee STEM Hub, the event challenged student teams to design and build large structures entirely from canned goods—combining STEM education with service.
This year’s teams demonstrated exceptional innovation and teamwork, raising nearly 5,000 pounds of food for the UofM Tiger Pantry. Participating schools included Christian Brothers High School, St. Agnes Academy, Millington Central High School, Granville T. Woods Academy of Innovation Charter School, Houston High School, and Collierville High School.
The event’s success was made possible by partners including the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, Southeast Transportation Workforce Center, EnSafe, City of Memphis, and UES, as well as the many UofM students and faculty who volunteered their time.
UofM Researchers Awarded Prestigious NIH Grant for Innovative Wearable Health Monitoring Device
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Dr. Maryam Karimi, associate professor in the School of Public Health, and Dr. Rouzbeh
Nazari, chair and professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental
Engineering, were awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant, which
will support the development of the groundbreaking device that checks environmental
exposure and gauges respiratory response, specifically targeting patients with Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
If you are interested in a B.S. degree and future career in Construction Engineering/Management,
we offer a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering with a Concentration in Construction Engineering/Management.
This program is supported by the University of Memphis Industrial Partners, with ample
opportunities for internships. You will also have the opportunity to become a professional
engineer after graduation with the appropriate years of experience.
For more information on how to apply to our B.S. in Civil Engineering with a Concentration
in Construction Engineering/Management, please email our department.
Construction Management Concentration
Proud Moment for Our Civil Engineering Students!
We are excited to announce that our ASCE student chapter has secured 1st place in the student competition at the Tennessee Engineers' Conference!
Congratulations to Connor Caskey, Anna Nguyen, and James Hudson for their hard work. Special thanks to our ASCE Student Chapter faculty advisor, Dr. Roger Meier, for his invaluable guidance and mentorship.
This win is a true representation of the excellence and innovation that our students
bring to the field.
Please join us in congratulating the team on this fantastic accomplishment!
01/16/2024
Dr. Farhad Jazaei, assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering in the Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis, was recently awarded a $537,625 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award for his project entitled, "CAREER: Determining the mechanism and significance of microplastic pollution impacts on soil hydrology." This substantial funding boost will help Dr. Frhad Jazaei enhance his Microplastic Research Laboratory, enabling it to delve deeper into the study of emerging microplastic pollution in the soil environment and its potential impacts on soil-water-plant dynamics. As part of the grant, his laboratory will conduct impactful research, provide hands-on learning experiences, and improve outreach efforts related to microplastic pollution. The project will provide valuable training and experiences for many undergraduate and graduate students to tackle growing microplastic pollution issues.
"… I am absolutely thrilled and grateful for the awarded grant. This is a game-changer for my Microplastic Research Laboratory. I am genuinely excited about the possibilities this funding opens up. It's not just a project; it's an opportunity to make significant breakthroughs in understanding microplastic pollution and uncovering its impact on the environment we live in and rely on. I am so hopeful that, with the support and engagement of students, my lab can make a real impact on understanding and addressing this new environmental challenge."
Big thanks to Tennessee Road Builders Association (TRBA) for their visit to the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental
Engineering at the University of Memphis and their generous scholarships to our Civil
Engineering students.
Thank you!
Women in Construction Workshop held on March 3, 2023
Round of applause for Civil Engineering students at the University of Memphis for
winning “Best Seismic Performance” during the 20th Annual Seismic Design Competition
at the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Annual Conference, which was
held in San Francisco. Outstanding job competing against 35 top universities across
the world.
Congratulations to Liam Walsh, Madeline Wheaton, and Anna Nguyen.
Congratulations to Dr. Charles Camp for receiving the 2023 Herff College of Engineering Outstanding Service Award, and Dr. Mihalis Golias for receiving the 2023 Herff College of Engineering Outstanding Teaching Award!
Nicole Arellano taking 3rd place in the Daniel Mead competition
Nicole Arellano, a University of Memphis ASCE Student Chapter member, was recently awarded third place in the 2022 ASCE Daniel W. Mead Student Paper Competition. This competition is named after the 67th president of ASCE, who established and endowed the prize money for the competition in 1939. The competition addresses specific issues in professional ethics and is open to ASCE Student Chapter members around the world. In 2020, ASCE completely rewrote their code of ethics and this year’s paper topic was on the impact those changes would have on the civil engineering profession. Congratulations, Nicole!
The Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Memphis welcomes Herff students back to campus!
It was great to see our first year and returning civil engineering students during Herff Welcome Week activities! Thank you to our student chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Instititue of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) for meeting and talking to all Herff students about membership and the goals of each organization. We are looking forward to a great semester!
Civil Engineering Researcher, Dr. Maryam Salehi, Receives NSF CAREER Award
Dr. Maryam Salehi, assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering in the Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis, was recently awarded a $453,144 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award for her project titled, “An Investigation of Microplastics Fate and Contaminant Transport in Storm Runoff, The Nexus of Environmental Engineering and Material Sciences.”
“I am so excited and honored to receive this NSF CAREER Award to study the microplastics fate and contaminant transport behavior in stormwater runoff,” said Salehi, principal investigator (PI) on the project. Click HERE to read more about Dr. Salehi's NSF Award.