The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has announced the winners of the 2016 – 2017 GSI Fellowships. The annually awarded research grants are giving out, in consultation with the GSI Board of Directors, to master’s and doctoral level applicants studying geosynthetics.
GSI’s program issues numerous awards, each of USD $5,000, during the fellowship awards cycle. Candidates with a vision of longer-term research may apply for successive year awards.
This year’s fellowship winners include nine recipients from different universities.
- Aiyoub Abbaspour, George Mason University. “Clogging evaluation of drainage geotextiles using recycled concrete aggregate.” GSI Award 1-16. Advisor: Burak Tanyu.
- Anil Ekici, Middle East Technical University. “Interaction of marginal fills and geogrids for walls and slopes.” GSI Award 2-16. Advisor: Nejan Huvaj.
- Jun Guo, University of Kansas. “Soil column tests to evaluate wicking geotextiles to remove water.” GSI Award 3-16. Advisor: Jie Han.
- Henry Haselton, Montana State University. “Biaxial response of geosynthetics.” GSI Award 4-16. Advisor: Steve Perkins.
- Behnoud Kermani, Penn State University. “Geotextile separation preventing particle movement into pavements due to cyclic loading.” GSI Award 5-16. Advisor: Ming Xiao.
- Layal Maddah, Texas A&M University. “MSE Walls subjected to vehicle impact on roadside barrier systems.” GSI Award 6-16. Advisor: Jean-Louis Briaud.
- Amr Morsy, University of Texas at Austin. “Composite behavior of geosynthetic reinforced structures.” GSI Award 7-16. Advisor: Jorge Zornberg.
- Mehmet Yilmaz, University of Wisconsin. “Co-extruded EVOH geomembrane covers to avoid landfill gas emissions.” GSI Award 8-16. Advisors: James Tinjum and Craig Benson.
Penn State University published a July 28 story on Behnoud Kermani’s award. In the article, Kermani said, “I am honored and thrilled to be selected as a GSI fellow…. I am certain that such a highly praised fellowship provides a precious opportunity for me to extend my research to make real impact on solving pressing field problems using geotextiles.”
His research, the article notes, may lead to recommendations for revision of Department of Transportation requirements on the use of geotextiles in subgrade separation applications. The investigation has an emphasis on long-term and economical performance is.
For more information on any of the fellowships noted here, or for information on the next GSI Fellowship awards cycle, please contact Jamie Koerner (Special Projects Coordinator) at the Geosynthetic Institute: jrkoerner@verizon.net.
See also: www.geosynthetic-institute.org
