Luke Montalvo is a former undergraduate research assistant working for Dr. Shenghua Wu in the Department of Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Alabama. He is highly capable Civil Engineer with strong technical knowledge, as well as having high expectations for projects to be completed cost and time efficiently. He is skilled in using engineering design knowledge to make educated and economically efficient decisions through life of project. 

Research Topic: Use of Plastic Wastes Towards Greener Asphalt Roadways

Plastic is an important commodity we use every day and everywhere. However, the accumulating waste plastic has become a long-lasting and dire problem that threatens the environment and public health. The waste plastic recycling rate in the United States is obviously far low as compared to other developed countries. Landfill is not the final sink of plastics, but a potential source of microplastics contaminating our drinking water. One of the questions is: can we use plastic waste into roadways to potentially mitigate the issue? This study provides a synthesis of utilizing waste plastic into greener asphalt roadways. Current practice of recycled waste plastics includes 7 major types: polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and others. Critical issues were examined on the feasibility of waste plastic into asphalt binder by wet method or asphalt mixture by dry method. The effect of waste plastics on the engineering performance parameters such as viscosity of asphalt, and rutting, fatigue cracking, thermal cracking, and moisture resistance of asphalt mixtures are summarized. In general, the incorporation of plastic wastes into asphalt mixes showed improvements in performance parameters such as stiffness, and rutting and fatigue resistance. However, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, and PS yielded conflicting performance measures. The capability of recycling waste plastics into asphalt mixes would minimize landfilling, reduce dependence on nonrenewable resources, and diversify asphalt pavement building options, via the cost benefits and life-cycle assessment. This study also identified the research gap, challenges, and recommendations for the use of waste plastic towards greener asphalt pavement 

My name is Colton Spell and I am a junior studying Civil Engineering at the University of South Alabama. I was born in Louisiana and later moved to Alabama. Aside from school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and going to the beach. My future goals include graduating and returning to school to complete a master’s degree. 

Research Topic: Rejuvenation for 100% Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement

The research I am doing with Dr. Wu evaluates the effectiveness of 100% RAP rejuvenation. The process uses reclaimed asphalt pavement that is mixed with a dosage of rejuvenator and re-laid. This process uses cold mix oppose to the traditional hot mix method. The aspects being evaluated include rutting resistance, raveling, cracking etc. The rejuvenation of 100% RAP can have benefits such as lower cost and a lower environmental impact.

My name is Ara Haji. I was born in Mobile, Alabama, and my parents came here from Kurdistan. I am the current manager at my parents’ restaurant, House of Kabob and Gyros. I am a junior in Civil Engineering at the University of South Alabama. My passion for the Civil Engineering field began after seeing the discipline firsthand from my older brother, Awa Haji. I am the current Vice President of the Society for Sustainable Engineering (SSE) and the Community Service Chair for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Hobbies of mine include spending time with family, playing soccer, and learning more about Civil Engineering.

Research Topic: Developing a Cost Effective and Sustainable Cold Asphalt Patching Material for Pavement Potholes Repair

Potholes are bowl-shaped holes made in asphalt pavement that are generally formed from excessive cracking. Potholes pose a significant threat to public safety and are a major inconvenience to the many people that use roads for transportation. The objective of my Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship with Dr. Wu is to develop a cost effective and sustainable cold asphalt patching material using recycled materials such as reclaimed asphalt pavement and waste plastics. The performance of the developed patching material will be evaluated in the laboratory with respect to short-term and long-term mechanical properties based on the Cantabro loss test and the cracking resistance test. Lastly, the cost effectiveness analysis and life cycle assessment will be conducted to quantify the economic benefits and reduction in environmental impact of using developed cold asphalt patching materials.

My name is Ian Adkins.  I was born in  Pensacola Florida and have lived around that area for most of my life.  I am an avid outdoor enthusiast and I have a genuine desire to constantly learn.  Outside of school I enjoy sailing, hiking, gardening, cooking, reading, and visual arts.  My current research interests are to study sustainable materials and how they can impact our local community.  

Research Topic: Effects of Seawater on Cold Mix Asphalt in Coastal Regions

Cold mix asphalt (CMA) provides a range of benefits, such as easiness in construction, saving material costs, and reducing environmental impacts.  Coastal regions, such as those near the Gulf of Mexico, experience potential exposure to seawater flooding, resulting in more rapid deterioration of pavement.  The goal of this research is to better understand the damage mechanism of seawater on asphalt pavements in order to better define CMA’s applicable use and lifespan in coastal regions.

My name is Andrew Burleson, and I am a sophomore studying Civil Engineering at the University of South Alabama.  I live in Satsuma and have lived there my entire life.  My favorite things to do include spending time with family and friends, playing disc golf and other sports, collecting silver coins, and helping out at my church.  I have been homeschooled my entire life and have greatly enjoyed my time at South Alabama so far.  My goal is to graduate and enter the workforce as a transportation or structural engineer, and perhaps one day obtain a master’s degree.

Research Topic: Fostering A Transformative and Collaborative Learning Community to Promote Social Justice, Equity and Diversity in Engineering Education

My name is Cade Marty, and I am a junior studying Civil Engineering. I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially at the beach. I am a member of the University of South Alabama Track and Field team, and most of my time outside of class is spent practicing and competing. I have a strong desire to gain knowledge and experience related to the field of civil engineering."

Research Topic: Performance and Benefits Analysis of Cold Mix Asphalt Towards Low Carbon Emissions  

My name is Michael Cottrell and I am a Senior pursing a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering. I was born and raised in Mobile, AL. I first attended Coastal Alabama Community College before transferring to the University of South Alabama. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in the Automotive Industry. My hobbies outside of school include 3D printing, automotive fabrication, and spending time outdoors. 

Research Topic: Evaluation of Effectiveness of VM-100 Device for Various Purposes 

My name is Eddie Rodriguez and I'm a Junior studying Civil Engineering. I'm originally from Mexico, but I have grown up most of my life in Gulf Shores, AL. I enjoy spreading my culture and have helped start a Latin American Student Organization at South Alabama. Since then I have been able to embrace not just my culture but others at South through an international student council. Some of the other hobbies I enjoy are playing soccer, sand volleyball, and attending concerts. I have also been able to be a part of the Society for Sustainable Engineers with Dr. Wu to embrace sustainability and promote solid waste reuse, recycling, repurposing, and reduction.

Research Topic: Sustainability, Solid Waste Recycling 

My name is Andrew Lawler, and I am an undergraduate with a major in Mechanical Engineering.  I was born in Dothan AL, then moved to Mobile in 2014.  When I began college, I realized I had a strong passion for learning and still have a fascination with anything new.  When I am not learning in school, I enjoy cinematography, storytelling, programming, sketching, and dirtbiking.  Currently my long term goals are to work on spacecraft as an aerospace engineer, and send something I helped build to space.  I am always eager to expand my horizons and try something new, and I am incredibly thankful to be able to work on official research projects with Dr. Wu.

Research Topic: Pavement system resilience

My name is Alexander Mcnair. I am an upcoming senior for my bachelor's in computer science with a minor in mathematics in the University of South Alabama. I live in Gautier, Mississippi with my family. I hope to graduate and find a job working as a software developer with an interest in data mining using machine learning and AI. My goals are to get enough work experience in both internships and research that it allows me to have the background needed to do work in my field..

Research Topic: Pavement flooding

My name is Cody Kenney and I am an undergraduate studying Civil Engineering at the University of South Alabama. I was born in Mobile, Alabama but have spent half of my education between Mobile and Pensacola, Florida. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at South and always look forward to learning. I am specifically interested in gaining more experience in the transportation and structural field of engineering. 

Research Topic: Sustainable asphalt technology

My name is Levi Arroyo, a Junior studying Civil Engineering. I am from Birmingham Alabama where I got interested in engineering through the academy at my high school. I am in the Air Force ROTC program at South Alabama and plan to commission as an officer in 2026. I like staying fit through different hobbies like kayaking, hiking, running, lifting, and ultimate frisbee. I enjoy efficiency and practicality, although finding applicable in all areas of my life, I found the sheer size of Civil Engineering projects to be an area where I could explore efficiency best. 

Research Topic: Analysis of reclaimed asphalt pavement using rejuvenators in cold mix to reduce carbon emissions and energy cost.

I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aerospace Engineering at the University of South Alabama. I am originally from Mobile, Alabama. My passions include expanding diversity and inclusion efforts in STEM, accessibility in space exploration, STEM education and Outreach. I am a fellow of two fellowships, the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship(PGSF) and the Brooke Owens fellowship (BOF). The PGSF is specifically for Black undergraduate students pursuing their first internship in aerospace. In summer 2023 I worked as a Test and Flight Operations intern at Blue Origin's extreme engines test stand.  I am excited to work in Dr.Wu's research group and hope to find useful skills and applications of what I learn on the microplastics project to then be applied in sustainability measures in the aerospace industry. 

Interests/ Hobbies: Baking, Cooking, Marvel Comics, Rockets, Traveling,  Professional + Personal Development

My name is Connor Novack and I am in my Junior year studying civil engineering.

I was born in San Diego, California, but spent most of my life on the Gulf. I like  learning new things and working with my hands, I have competed on the concrete canoe team for South Alabama’s ASCE Student chapter for three years and competed in our first ever attendance at national level in 2023. I have great interest in civil engineering's potential to benefit the environment as much as the community and hope to contribute to such growing knowledge.

My name is Charles Turner and I was born in Shandong, China and raised in Daphne, Alabama. I am a Junior studying Mechanical Engineering and my hobbies include going to the gym and amateur MMA. This is my first time working with the SURF program and I am excited for the experience to apply my education in the real world.

Hi, my name is Luke Lansdown. I am attending the University of South Alabama, I am pursuing a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering and am one of the first students at South to declare the new minor in Sustainability. I am currently the Vice President of The Society of Sustainable Engineers, and the Treasurer of the new Robotics club. I want to take and use the knowledge I learn from my Electrical Engineering degree and the leadership and sustainable skills from the clubs to further our society and world into a cleaner and more sustainable living environment for all people. I have always advocated for the marginalized and oppressed; with my degree I hope to use my skills and knowledge to help people around the world with social and environmental issues. 

Research topic: The effectiveness of Wave Energy in the Gulf of Mexico