Out of more than 160,000 members in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), only five were selected this year for the Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize. When Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Yu Qian opened his email on April 16, he found out that he was one of the recipients.
“It's a big recognition and achievement not only for myself and the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, but it’s also a big recognition for the ASCE Geo-Institute I represent,” Qian says.
The prize is the highest-level, mid-career research award in all areas of civil engineering. Recipients are selected based on the impact of their research, including publications, citations, funding and professional recommendations. Qian’s selection followed a lengthy nomination and review process, with final approval from the ASCE board. Qian was nominated by ASCE’s Geo-Institute and will receive the award at the society’s flagship conference in March 2027.
“This recognition reflects the impact of Dr. Qian’s research,” says Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Chair Juan Caicedo. “We are proud of this achievement and excited to see the continued contributions of his research group.”
Qian’s research blends geotechnical with transportation engineering, which focuses on how soil and rock behave to help engineers design safe foundations, roads and rail systems. He studies ways to improve rail safety, resiliency, and the efficiency of rail infrastructure, a niche he says drew attention from the selection committee as one of the few researchers focused on railroad geotechnics.
That interest started from a coincidence.
While stopped at a railroad crossing alongside a police car that had been dispatched to an emergency, Qian began exploring how delays and track conditions affect emergency response and rail operations.
That curiosity turned into a research focus. Today, the Federal Railroad Administration supports Qian’s work, which includes helping develop safety policies and inspection standards. He also serves as associate director for the new Rail Center for Research Enhancing Short-line Transportation, funded by the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program, to support regional and short-line railroads.
Beyond a milestone achievement, Qian says the award connects him with a network of distinguished engineers. Past recipients include influential names in engineering who helped shape their respective fields. But Qian emphasizes that his recognition reflects a broader effort.
“My students and collaborators have contributed a lot over the years,” he says. “It’s not only me, but the entire research community and the industry.”