News: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction
Meet three UNLV graduate students pursuing their passions through research and making a big impact in their fields.
![Fireworks ignite during commencement](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/2017_grad_D70274_84.jpg?itok=o0GAxb6E)
UNLV has a commencement tradition for the president to select and highlight exceptional students who embody the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class.
![Jin Ouk Choi](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/D71443_008.jpg?itok=lu2nhiQ-)
This South Korean-born civil and environmental engineering professor has been to more U.S. cities than most Americans. In fact, it was a U.S. city that originally ignited his passion for his profession.
![Erica Marti and students assembles a portable solar energy classroom kit](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/nc_D71390_04.jpg?itok=RCrEW7Gw)
Solar kits illuminates energy concepts for both teachers and high school students.
![Ryan Sherman](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/D71071_003.jpg?itok=Vk8_3oqH)
Being a civil engineer definitely is a cool profession, according to Sherman. After all, sometimes you get to blow things up.
![commencement ceremony](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/nc_D70651_073.jpg?itok=LJ-1V1Dy)
UNLV has a commencement tradition for the president to honor a few exceptional students who embody the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class.
![Walter C. Vodrazka Jr.](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Vodrazka_D70799_07.jpg?itok=jxSwRvlz)
Advice from Walter C. Vodrazka Jr., Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering Alumnus of the Year
![Kristina Swallow](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/nc_D69349_09.jpg?itok=pXcZhqVK)
Graduate Kristina Swallow would be the first Nevadan to hold the top position with the American Society of Civil Engineers.
![Ying Tian](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/D69902_20_0.jpg?itok=4_Wn4pbl)
After seven firefighters died in a collapsed parking garage, engineering professor Ying Tian wanted to help design more resilient buildings. His research was shored up with seed money from a UNLV grant.
![U.N.L.V. sign with the Flashlight in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/releases/main-images/D65899_22R_2_0.jpg?itok=Qwaxu1H5)
Creators of Skyworks Aerial Systems plan to use prize money to research and develop new drone models.
![Boyd Law School building](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/releases/main-images/01_D68064_12_Main_0.jpg?itok=wiHu33SU)
University’s top ranked graduate/specialty programs include Boyd Law School’s legal writing program at No. 3, dispute resolution at No. 9.
![Las Vegas Strip with mountains in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Research_D66125_07_0_0.jpg?itok=CjKJuKBF)
More rainfall in the Colorado River Basin means less water downstream.