Seattle University

Seattle University, founded in 1891,is a Jesuit Catholic university located on 50 acres in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. More  than 7,000 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools and colleges.

Seattle University  is one of the top universities in the West, according to U.S. News & World  Report: Best Colleges 2016. The university ranks #6 for its full range of undergraduate, master’s and select doctoral degree programs. The university consistently has held a spot in the West’s top 10 for more than a dozen years. In addition, Seattle U is a top-ranked university in the West for military veterans, ranking #6 for offering benefits for veterans and active-duty service members.

The College of Science and Engineering has the programs and areas of study that are most relevant to the CESU mission and goals. The College of Science and Engineering has the following Areas of Study:

Undergraduate

• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Computer Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Graduate

• Computer Science
• Software Engineering

A list of and brief description of the staff or faculty with expertise in disciplines and subject areas of relevance to federal land management, environmental, and research agencies:

Dr. Teodora Rutar Shuman, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Mechanical  Engineering at Seattle University. She teaches in the areas of energy, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and design. Her research is in sustainable dewatering of microalgae and in pollutant reduction from lean-premixed combustion.

Dr. Robert Cornwell, PE, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Seattle University. He teaches in the areas of machine design, mechanics and numerical methods. His research is in development and application of finite-element modeling.

Dr. Joshua Hamel, PE, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Seattle University. He teaches in the areas of engineering design, mechanics, engineering computation, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, experimental data analysis and flight stability. His current research efforts are focused on multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) and the integration of design optimization and manufacturing.

Dr. Yen-Lin Han, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Seattle University. She teaches in the areas of heat transfer, dynamic systems, and design.  Her current research is in MEMS.

Dr. Greg Mason, PE, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Seattle University. He teaches in the areas of control and DAQ & instrumentation. His current research efforts are digital controls, robotics, and automation.

Dr. Matthew Shields, Lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering department at Seattle University. He teaches in the areas of Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Aircraft Dynamics and Aerodynamics, as well as machining and solid modeling. His current research efforts are in low Reynolds number aerodynamics; specifically, Micro Aerial Vehicles and wind turbines.

Dr. Frank Shih, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Seattle University. He teaches in the areas of materials science, structural mechanics, and mechanical design.  His current research efforts are applied mechanics and failure issues in composite and other advanced materials used in aerospace and biomedical applications.

Dr. Josephine Archibald, Instructor in Environmental Science in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Seattle University. She teaches in the areas of environmental science and sound ecosystems. Her current research efforts  are in hydrological  modeling; specifically predicting where and when runoff will occur in the landscape in order to help reduce or prevent pollutant transport.

Dr. Nathan Canney, PE, Lecturer in Civil Engineering in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Seattle University. He teaches in the areas of mechanics and structural engineering. His current research efforts are focused on the development of personal and professional social responsibility in engineering students and educational interventions which may have positive effects on the development of each.

Dr. Nirmala Gnanapragasam, PE Associate Professor in Civil Engineering in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Seattle University. She teaches in Engineering Geology, Soil Mechanics, Foundation Design, Strength of Materials, Water Resources, and Fluid Mechanics. Her current research efforts are senior capstone projects.

Dr. Lyn Gualtieri, Environmental Science instructor in Civil Engineering in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Seattle University. She teaches the areas of environmental science and sound ecosystems. Her research efforts are in glacial geology and geology.

Dr. Katie Kuder, PE, Associate Professor and Department Chair in Civil Engineering in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Seattle University. She teaches in the areas of mechanics of materials, structural engineering mechanics, structural design and engineering design. Her research focuses on the characterization and optimization of cement-based materials, in both the fresh and hardened states, and the development of newly engineered cement-based composites that can be tailored for specific applications, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Dr. Wes Lauer, PE, Associate Professor and Director of Environmental Science in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Seattle University. He teaches in fluid mechanics, engineering hydraulics, and water resources.  His research focuses on the hydraulic, geomorphic, and sediment transport implications of long-term changes in environmental conditions on river systems.

Dr. Mike  Marsolek, PE, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Seattle University. He teaches in environmental engineering chemistry, principles of environmental engineering and water and wastewater engineering. His research focuses on small-scale wastewater treatment in the developing world and algal biofuels.

Dr. Joshua Pugh, Instructor in Civil Engineering in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Seattle University.  He teaches analysis and design in structural engineering. His interests are linear and nonlinear structural analysis, structural stability, and steel design.

Dr. Jhon Paul Smith, PE, Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Seattle University. His teaching and research interests are Earthquake Engineering and Performance-Based Methodologies, Seismic Vulnerability of Existing Structures, Soil­ Structure  Interaction, Repair/Strengthening of Structures, and Behavior and Design of Waterfront Structures.

Dr. Phillip Thompson, PE, Professor in Civil Engineering in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and Director of Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability  at Seattle University. He teaches Principles of Environmental Engineering, Water and Wastewater  Engineering, Hazardous  Waste Management, Engineering Economy, Engineering Design, Biological Principles for Environmental Engineers, and Introduction to Civil & Environmental Engineering.  His research focuses on the removal of metals from drinking water with pyrolized  agricultural waste materials  (biochar).

Dr. Henry Louie, Associate Professor in Electrical and Computer  Engineering in the Electrical and Computer  Engineering Department and a co-founder  of the non-profit organization KiloWatts  for Humanity. He teaches renewable energy systems, power systems analysis, electromechanical energy conversion, electrical circuits, digital operations and computation, and engineering problem solving with MATLAB. His research includes modeling of renewable resources and humanitarian engineering.

The university and engineering departments maintain well-equipped instructional laboratories and a machine shop, all of which are housed in the Engineering Building (ENGR).

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Lab

• Maker Space with 3D printers and hand tools

• Instrumentation Lab

• Dynamic Systems Lab

• Thermal Systems Lab

• Materials Science Lab

• Machine Shop with CNC Mills,Lathes, etc.

• Soils Lab

• Fluids Lab

• Environmental Lab

• Strengths and Materials Lab