Past Spotlights on Civil and Environmental Engineering
2025
Student highlight
Name: Ymbar I. Polanco Pino
Degree: MS and PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering
Faculty lab: McDonnell Family Assistant Professor Greses Pérez
Hometown: Maracay, Venezuela
Why Tufts?
Choosing Tufts was a pivotal decision that was solidified through my interaction with Dr. Greses Pérez, who went on to become my advisor. Additionally, Tufts stood out not only for its academic excellence and vibrant intellectual community but also for its supportive culture that encourages exploration beyond traditional engineering confines. This environment promised me the unique opportunity to delve into innovative research areas, particularly those that intersect with environmental and social imperatives, guided by some of the most brilliant minds in the field.
Favorite thing about living in the Medford/Somerville and Boston area?
The diversity in the Medford/Somerville and Boston areas is not just in the array of foods but in the people, ideas, and expressions that make up the community. The abundance of museums and art exhibits in the area also feeds my passion for the arts, serving as a constant source of inspiration and reflection. I also find that the city's scale is a perfect balance for me—vibrant and lively enough to provide a stimulating backdrop for exploration and relaxation, yet not so overwhelming that it detracts from my academic pursuits. It's this dynamic interplay of culture, art, and a manageable urban pace that makes living here particularly rewarding.
Any advice you’d give to prospective students or new graduate students?
To those embarking on their graduate journey, I would urge you to reflect deeply on what genuinely moves you—what do you pour your energy into for free? Once you figure that out, I'd recommend you incorporate elements, values, or ideas from this area of passion into your work. This integration can transform your educational journey into a deeply personal and impactful experience, where your academic inquiries are driven by a clear purpose. Embrace this approach, and you will find that your academic and professional paths are not only more fulfilling but also uniquely conducive to the fields you choose to explore.
Faculty highlight
Name: McDonnell Family Assistant Professor Greses Pérez
Research interests: Brain and learning sciences, science education, engineering education, diversity and identity, technology and education, language and cognition, multicompetence
About McDonnell Family Assistant Professor Greses Pérez:
Greses Pérez is an engineer, learning scientist and educator. Her scholarship specializes in the interdisciplinary study of language and cognition for students who experience a cultural and linguistic mismatch between the practices of their communities and those in engineering and science. In addition to her work on culturally relevant learning through emerging technologies, Greses uses mixed methodologies to investigate the strengths multicompetent individuals, whose lives exist between languages and/or cultures, might be able to contribute to the social fabric. Her mission is to expand who is heard and can contribute to the disciplines as society demands professionals with backgrounds as diverse as the challenges we face.
2023
Student highlight
Name: Bridget Moynihan
Degree: PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty lab: Professor Babak Moaveni and Professor of the Practice Eric Hines
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Why Tufts?
As an undergrad at Tufts, I appreciated the emphasis on a broad education as an engineer and having the freedom to explore various areas of study. I also loved the close-knit nature of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Students here are great at working together so that everyone succeeds; it hasn't been a competitive environment in my experience. For my graduate studies, the Offshore Wind Energy Engineering program was the number one draw. Like undergrad, the core of my studies is in structural engineering, but I'm also encouraged to explore different areas of the field, broaden my knowledge, and collaborate with other students, which is one of the best parts.
Favorite thing about living in the Medford/Somerville and Boston area?
Tufts is well located to provide a smaller community and neighborhood feel while being extremely close to Boston. I live between Tufts and downtown, and I have the best of both worlds.
Any advice you’d give to prospective students or new graduate students?
If you are interested in grad school, definitely get involved in research as an undergrad! That's how I found my way to where I am now, and research experience is really what made me realize that grad school was the right choice for me. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to other students or professors for anything you need! The department is small, and everyone is very willing to help others or give advice. If you're considering a graduate program at Tufts, talking to professors and especially current students will give you great insight into what it would be like here.
Faculty highlight
Name: Professor Babak Moaveni and Professor of the Practice Eric Hines, Kentaro Tsutsumi Faculty Fellow
Research interests: Offshore wind energy, structural design, earthquake engineering, probabilistic system identification of structures, signal processing, Bayesian inference, model updating, structural dynamics.
About Professor Moaveni:
Babak Moaveni is a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts School of Engineering. His main research interests include Bayesian inference and inverse problems, structural health monitoring, system and damage identification of civil structures, structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, uncertainty quantification, and verification and validation of computational models.
About Professor Hines:
Eric Hines directs the offshore wind energy engineering graduate program at Tufts University, where he is a professor of the practice in structural engineering and the Kentaro Tsutsumi Faculty Fellow. He is the president of Hines & Partners, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in offshore wind energy, structural design, and engineering creativity. He has over 20 years of experience engineering innovative infrastructure.
2022
Student highlight
Name: Deniz Ranjpour
Degree: Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty lab: Research Professor Jack Germaine
Hometown: Tehran, Iran
Why Tufts?
It’s a big enough institution to have everything you need, yet small enough to feel homey.
Favorite thing about living in the Medford/Somerville and Boston area?
I live in Cambridge and I love the diversity. I’ve met people from all walks of life, from scientists to business people and artists, and from more than 40 countries.
Any advice you’d give to prospective students or new graduate students?
Invest in a good winter coat and a bike, you’re going to need them both!
Faculty highlight
Name: Research Professor Jack Germaine
Research interests: Geotechnical, laboratory testing, automation, soil behavior, physical properties, mechanical properties, and material science.
About Professor Germaine:
Jack Germaine is a research professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts School of Engineering. He is a leader in experimental methods in geotechnical analysis. In recent years, Germaine has worked on small-strain nonlinearity of normally consolidated clay and has explored factors affecting the initial stiffness of cohesive soils.