Three graduate students in UBC Civil Engineering have been awarded 2025 Wall Graduate Student Research Awards, recognizing their innovative projects that address urgent environmental and infrastructure challenges across British Columbia.
The Wall Graduate Student Awards are part of the Peter Wall Legacy Awards program, one of the most significant internal research award programs in North America. Funded through a transformative gift from philanthropist Dr. Peter Wall, the program invests approximately $4 million annually to support UBC researchers and graduate students whose work advances solutions to some of society’s most pressing issues.
Protecting communities from compound flood hazards
Tyler De Jong (MASc, Civil Engineering – UBC Vancouver) is developing new methods to forecast compound flood hazards in the Fraser Estuary, where river flows, storm surges, tides, and sea-level anomalies can converge to cause extreme flooding. His work uses SFINCS, a next-generation modeling tool, alongside probabilistic methods to simulate flood scenarios and assess risks in the face of sea-level rise and climate change. The research supports integrated coastal zone management, helping protect communities and ecosystems from catastrophic flooding.
Developing sustainable stormwater solutions
Hairuo Liu (MASc, Civil Engineering – Environmental Engineering, UBC Vancouver) is addressing stormwater management challenges caused by rapid urbanization. By developing an integrated Python-based model that links the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Hairuo evaluates the hydrologic, environmental, and economic impacts of Green Rainwater Infrastructure (GRI), including green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavements. A Vancouver-based case study will demonstrate how this tool can guide sustainable city planning and policy decisions.
Advancing resilient 3D concrete printing
Shen Wang (PhD, Civil Engineering – UBC Vancouver) is advancing sustainable 3D concrete printing (3DCP) by tackling interface challenges that affect the durability and reliability of printed structures. His research focuses on optimizing materials and investigating how interface properties influence performance under different loading conditions. By improving printing processes and material performance, this work has the potential to transform construction methods in B.C., contributing to a more sustainable and climate-resilient built environment.
This year’s Peter Wall Legacy Awards program supports a diverse cohort of faculty and student researchers, with projects ranging from wildfire prevention and renewable energy to sustainable food systems and climate resilience.