Tending Iowa’s Land: Pathways to a Sustainable Future, edited by retired IIHR senior science writer Cornelia Mutel and featuring chapters written by many IIHR faculty researchers, was chosen as the best nature book in 2023 by the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. 

Cornelia Mutel – Recognized as an Iowa Nature Champion at the Iowa Nature Summit for her work to protect and inspire passion for the natural world. 

Caterina Lamuta, associate professor of mechanical engineering – Secured $502,000 from the Office of Naval Research’s highly competitive Young Investigators Program to support further development of her breakthrough research on soft underwater robots (the “Softopus”) to perform underwater monitoring, rescue, and assembly operations.

Ibrahim Demir, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering – Awarded the Robert and Virginia Wheeler Faculty Fellowship and recognized with a prestigious fellowship through the International Environmental Modelling and Software Society.   

Kate Giannini, program manager – Recognized as an Iowa Conservation Champion through the Iowa Soybean Association’s Iowa Front 40 program. 

Libby Chelsvig, PhD candidate in civil and environmental engineering – Winner of the College of Engineering Research Photo Competition for her image, “Redox Chemistry of Iron,” related to her work advancing remediation technologies to clean up contaminants in the environment. 

Maclaine Putney, wastewater specialist – Winner of the College of Engineering Research Photo Competition for his image, “Passing the Torch,” of a waste gas flare that disposes of unused bio-methane. 

2023 longevity awards 

Collin Davis, business development and proposal specialist – Five-Year Award.  

Felipe Quintero, assistant research scientist – Five-Year Award.  

Keith Schilling, Iowa Geological Survey director – 10-Year Award.  

Robby Nace, engineering assistant – 10-Year Award. 

Yugo Sanada, associate research scientist – 10-Year Award. 

Alexis Slade, PhD candidate in civil and environmental engineering – Awarded the President’s Student Leadership Award for her community-engaged research to understand the prevalence of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls in Portland, Oregon. 

Chris Knutson, IIHR Environmental Engineering and Sciences Laboratories manager – Received the Excellence in Safety Award from the UI’s Laboratory Safety Committee for his efforts to support graduate student research.  

Gage MacLin, PhD candidate in mechanical engineering – Awarded the NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium Fellowship to further his research on integrating unmanned aerial vehicles into traditional air traffic systems.  

Maxwell Hammond, PhD candidate in mechanical engineering – Featured on the university’s downtown banner campaign for his research on developing octopus-inspired robotics. 

Riley Post, PhD candidate in civil and environmental engineering – Featured on the university’s downtown banner campaign for his research on mitigating flood risks using a controlled system of distributed storage ponds. He also received the prestigious Hancher-Finkbine Medallion, awarded for leadership, learning, and loyalty.  

Valeria Garcia, MS candidate in civil and environmental engineering – First-place winner in the American Water Resources Association student poster competition at its Spring Conference.