2025 Letter from the Director
Greetings alumni and colleagues,
As we move forward this semester, I’m proud to highlight the many accomplishments of our staff, faculty, and students — each making meaningful contributions that impact our school and extend far beyond. It’s a fitting reflection for my final article as I step down as director.
First, I’d like to congratulate engineering professor David O. Prevatt, Ph.D., on becoming part of the Jefferson Science Fellowship 2024-2025 cohort. His expertise in structural design to resist natural hazards will be engaged to conduct research with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Climate Security & Resilience program. Dr. Prevatt is one of four selected to go to Washington, D.C., to make a change in how engineers can be involved in not only creating solutions but be part of the policy making process. I wish David the best in his new endeavor to make a lasting positive impact.
Speaking of great minds, Xiang “Jacob” Yan, Ph.D., a civil and coastal assistant professor, is expanding his research on creating equitable public transportation to major cities by harnessing AI. His research identified the lack of amenities like shelters, seating and signage at bus stops, curating a database using Google Street View images and the Transit Amenities Assessment System.
Nina Stark, Ph.D., a civil and coastal engineering associate professor, is researching how environmental impacts affect mudflats using advanced technology. There’s a safety concern that applies to mud flat research and their unpredictability of erosion, as it is difficult to determine if it’s safe to walk or drive on in critical situations such as emergency operations. To find answers to this issue, Stark is exploring improvements of tidal mud flats by using remote sensing from satellites.
The World Health Organization set a goal to end cholera deaths by 2030 and Antar Jutla, Ph.D., an associate professor, has taken on the challenge. He developed a Cholera Risk Dashboard through AI and satellite data to predict outbreaks and save lives. It has been successfully used in 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Now, Jutla and his team will focus on Florida’s Gulf Coast to develop a similar system to detect pathogenic bacteria like vibrio, which have surged in the region due to hurricanes and warming waters.
As Jutla advances public health through environmental monitoring, another UF engineering leader is being recognized for decades of impactful work. I’d like to congratulate Elliot Douglas, Ph.D., environmental engineering professor and department head, who has been elected as the Vice President of Finance for the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE). Douglas has been a dedicated member and fellow during his years part of the ASEE and will now serve as vice president with the responsibility of leading the finance committee for a two-year term starting in June.
We’d like to take a moment to highlight Emeritus Professor John H. Schmertmann, Ph.D. Last December, Schmertmann was interviewed by the Geo-Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and honored as a Geo-Legend highlighting his career as an esteemed geotechnical engineer. Over his 55 years of experience in the field, he’s published numerous technical papers, developed design and testing methods used around the world, and worked on major relocation projects, most notably the NASA crawlerways and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
While faculty continues to make a difference by implementing change on a global scale, UF engineering students are inspired to follow the example and carve their own path. As the new generation of engineers continue to excel in coursework, they continue to shine outside of the classroom.
I’d like to congratulate the Concrete Canoe and Eckoff Steel Bridge teams for their success at the annual ASCE Southeast Student Symposium. The teams competed at the University of Georgia, taking home seven first place awards and a third place in the competitions against 19 other universities. The big news? The ASCE student chapter made history as the first school ever to win as the overall champions three times consecutively. This win solidifies their position to move on to nationals to compete later this spring where Concrete Canoe is eligible for the society-wide finals and Steel Bridge for the American Institute of Steel Construction national finals competition.
In addition to our students who’ve accomplished so much this semester, I’d also like to honor the Gators who came before them. We’re celebrating the alumni who have applied their UF education in their careers to break barriers in various industries. ESSIE is proud of Gator Engineer honoree Wesley Foster for making UF’s 40 Gators Under 40 Class of 2025. Foster is the founder of the engineering consulting firm Pacifica Engineering Services, and is an innovator in creating solutions to geotechnical engineering, construction material testing, special inspections and more.
As I reflect on this past semester and my years as director, I’m overjoyed by the accomplishments of my faculty colleagues, staff, alumni and students who are always finding ways to make our environment a better place. Their research and passion is undeniable and makes me proud to have served 14 years as director. As I continue my love for discovery and education as a professor, I’m excited to see how new leadership makes an impact. The new generation of UF engineers are approaching problems in new, creative and effective ways. As a proud member of the old guard, I am gratified to have played a small role in their mission to make real-life impacts on society.
It has been an honor to serve this inspiring cast of achievers and change makers.
Go Gators!
Kirk Hatfield, Ph.D.
Director
