The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has invested tens of thousands of dollars in its engineering research over the years, both in-house and with its GSI Fellowships program. The latter endeavor has supported Master’s and Doctoral students around the world in significant ways, and these recipients have in turn entered the engineering field or progressed further in engineering with a background that features a strong understanding of geosynthetics.

The 2019 – 2020 academic year GSI Fellowships are the 12th class of recipients for GSI. The awarded work exemplifies the international breadth and impact of the program and the amazing support provided by GSI members, the Koerner Family Foundation, and the general engineering community.

RELATED: GSI’s George Koerner to Speak at GeoU 2020 on Landfill Design in the Age of Sustainable Development

This most recent class features 18 recipients, each of which has received USD $5,000 in support for their work. Geosynthetica’s editor Chris Kelsey had the privilege to meet some of the recent recipients and past recipients at GeoCongress 2020 in Minneapolis. Their work truly is having a beneficial impact on the field and is worth keeping an eye on.

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GSI FELLOWSHIPS 2019 – 2020

GSI Fellowships are open to students pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree in an accredited college or university and be recommended by their advisor or department head to GSI. They must present a research topic which furthers the mission and goals of the Geosynthetic Institute and the related geosynthetic industry.

(Those interested in future opportunities should visit the GSI Fellowships information page and contact Jamie Koerner.)

The topics included in the most recent GSI Fellowships offer a sneak peek at what the next generation of engineers will enter the field with—what they offer, what they question. It forecasts a good story for geosynthetics and engineering.

Again, each of the GSI Fellowships listed here have been offered USD $5,000 of support.

Investigation into the Effects of Asperities on GM – Geotextile Shear Characteristics
Recipient: Mr. Daniel Adeleke, University of Cape Town
Advisor: Denis Kalumba

Using Geo-Composites to Increase Filtration of a Stacked GT Tube System in Various Configurations
Mr. Conor McCafferty, Drexel University
Adivsor: Grace Hsuan

Hydraulic Conductivity of GCL Overlap Areas
Ms. Jackeline Gastelo, George Mason University
Advisors: Burak Tanyu, Kuo Tian

Internal Reinforcement of Abutment Backfill to Mitigate Bumps at End of Integral Bridges
Mr. Hao Liu, University of Kansas
Advisor: Jie Han

Hydraulic and Erosion Control Performance of Conical Filter System with DOT Backfill Materials
Mr. Sung Ryoo, University of Maryland
Advisor: Ahmet Aydilek

Use of Wicking GT to Mitigate Frost Action in Cold Regions – a Numerical Study
Mr. Javad Galinmoghadam, Missouri University of Science & Technology
Advisor: Xiong Zhang

Low Impact Development of Plastic Underground Storage Tanks Seismic Evaluation Procedure
Mr. Jin-Cheng Yeh, NPUST
Advisor: Wayne Hsieh

Effect of Gas Collection System with LLDPE or EVOH GM Covers on Landfill Gas Emission
Mr. Yuan Feng, University of Nebraska
Advisor: Jongwan Eun

Evaluation of Residual Pore Water Pressure and Deformation of Seabed beneath GT Sand Containers Due to Nonlinear Waves: a Coupled Hydro Mechanical Finite Element Analysis
Mr. Amin Rafiei, North Carolina State University
Advisor: Mo Gabr

Influence of Facing on Structural Performance and Economics of GRS Bridge Abutments
Mr. Ridvan Doger, University of Oklahoma
Advisor: Kianoosh Hatami

Laboratory Investigation on the Benefits of GS in Flexible Pavement Retrofit
Mr. Sudheer Prabhu, Penn State University
Advisor: Tong Qiu

Long-term Monitoring of a GSC-Reinforced Dunes in Montauk, NY
Ms. Janelle Skaden, University of Rhode Island
Advisor: Christopher Baxter

A Systematic Approach to Apply Theoretical Models for Composition of Anionic Modified GCLs with Focus on Formulation and Long-Term Stability
Mr. Wolfgang Lieske, RUB University
Advisor: Habil Wichtmann

Investigations on Indirect GG Activation in Transparent Soil on a Micro Scale
Mr. Jan Derksen, RWTH Aachen
Advisor: Martin Ziegler

Evaluations of GS Reinforcement over Flexible Pavements Using Finite Element Modeling
Mr. Kazi Moimul Islam, University of South Carolina
Advisor: Juan Caicedo

Addition of Synthetic Fibers in Minimizing the Flow Behavior of Dewatered Fly Ash Slurries
Ms. Nuzhath Fatema, Syracuse University
Advisor: Shobha Bhatia

Investigation of Nonwoven GTs for Molds Used in Preparation of MICP-Treated Geomaterials
Ms. Shihui Liu, Tennessee State University
Advisor: Lin Li

Subgrade Settlement of GS-Reinforced Column (GRCS) Embankments Subjected to Surface Wheel Loading
Ms. Fengjuan Tao, Tongji University
Advisor: Zhen Zhang

Learn more about GSI Fellowships and the work of the Geosynthetic Institute at www.geosynthetic-institute.org.