Department News
April 14, 2026
Dr. Dinesh Katti presented with the Life Member Achievement Award at ASCE annual banquet in Grand Forks
ASCE ND presented Dr. Dinesh Katti with the Life Member Achievement Award in April 2026 for his enduring dedication, professional excellence, and meaningful contributions to civil engineering, education, and research throughout his career. Dr Katti has been an ASCE member for the full length of his professional career. He credits ASCE playing a pivotal role in his career and personal life over the past 40 years when he 1st joined as a student member. His long and deep association with ASCE and the Civil Engineering profession led him to create new national/international technical committees for ASCE, chairing multiple committees, and writing the operating procedures and bylaws for a new ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute. His research has led to advancements and inventions not just in civil engineering but also in biomedicine, material science, and nanotechnology in applications ranging from cancer and other tissue research, defense, and infrastructure.
Dr. Katti would like to thank all of his colleagues at NDSU, students, and his family for their continuous support and assistance over the years.
April 9, 2026
Dr. Kalpana Katti recognized at the TMS 2026 conference with the FMD Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award
Congratulations to Dr. Kalpana Katti for being presented The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) FMD Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award at the TMS 2026 conference in San Diego, California in March 2026!
Dr. Katti was awarded this honor in respect to her exceptional contributions in Biomaterials in the Development of Engineered Nanoclays for Biomedical Applications.
FMD Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award
This award recognizes an individual for research excellence in one or several areas related to materials science; technological impact; broad, sustained commitment to teaching or mentoring; service to TMS and/or the profession; and impact upon governmental or policy-making bodies.
Dr. Katti says during the reflection of this award, "I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this honor from TMS. TMS has always been a home for me for vid scientific interactions with colleagues from around the world. The highly interactive opportunities at TMS conferences have fueled my research endeavors and helped build strong collaborations over the years."
June 19, 2025
CCEE Graduate student startup Elevate Biotech named a runner up in the 2025 Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge
Pooyan Vahidi Pashaki and Benjamin Vahidi Pashaki, Ph.D. students in CCEE, recently represented their startup, Elevate BioTech, at the 2025 Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge — an international competition that supports student-led ventures focused on addressing pressing global challenges through innovation and impact.
Their work was recognized with the Runner-Up Award, accompanied by a $1,000 prize, a testament to the strength and promise of their project. Pooyan and Ben presented a compelling case for Elevate BioTech’s mission to transform orthopedic surgery using artificial intelligence.
Their startup is developing a software platform that leverages AI to optimize surgical planning for ACL reconstruction. By analyzing patient-specific anatomical and biomechanical data, the platform offers tailored surgical recommendations, aiming to improve accuracy, reduce complications, and enhance patient recovery.
Please join us in congratulating Pooyan and Ben on this outstanding achievement. We are proud to see our students driving innovation with real-world impact. We are also incredibly honored that President David Cook has also personally extended his sincere congratulations to the pair and commends the work they're leading.
Pooyan and Ben are pursuing interdisciplinary doctoral studies in Biomedical Engineering under the mentorship of Drs. Kalpana Katti and Dinesh Katti.
April 28, 2025
NDSU CCEE ASCE Team Named Minnesota Concrete Council Fiber Reinforced Concrete Bowling Ball Regional Champions
Please join us in celebrating our 2025 Fiber Reinforced Concrete Bowling Ball Regional Champions - our incredible CCEE ASCE* Team!
Six outstanding students competed and showcased the power of teamwork and innovation — a shining example of the undergraduate-graduate collaboration that defines excellence in our CCEE Department.
The competition, hosted by the Minnesota Concrete Council (MCC) at St. Thomas University on April 25, was part of a national initiative sponsored by the American Concrete Institute (ACI).
This victory is the result of a year-long commitment: from traveling to observe the 2024 competition, to months of hard work and preparation, leading to this amazing achievement.
We couldn't be prouder of our student organizations and the dedication and drive of their members. Congratulations to the team - you made us proud!
Here are the Championship Members:
- Laxman Khanal- CCEE Graduate Student (not pictured)
- Payton Rude- Sophomore Civil Engineering BS
- Nathaniel Angus- Sophomore Civil Engineering BS
- Robert Cogswell- Junior Civil Engineering BS
- Owen Kellems- Junior Civil Engineering BS
- Grant Pieri- First-year Civil Engineering BS (not in the picture)
(*ASCE: American Society of Civil Engineers)
For more details on the competition: Click Here
