The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has named Carnegie Mellon University's Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Professor Jeanne VanBriesen the 2015 recipient of the Margaret Petersen Award, in recognition of her exemplary service to the environmental and water resources community.
"Jeanne is an outstanding educator and researcher, and highly committed to our profession," says CEE Department Head and University Professor Dave Dzomback. "She is an ideal representative of Margaret Petersen's legacy of professional commitment, and we in CEE are proud to have her as a colleague "
Jeanne VanBriesenThe award, which was established last year, is named for Margaret Petersen, who became a prominent figure in the world of hydraulic engineering at a time when few women were involved in the industry. As a faculty advisor, VanBriesen continues that legacy, serving as a mentor to many female students in the department.
"Margaret Petersen was a pioneer in water resources engineering, and a powerful force for mentoring," says VanBriesen. "What touches me most about this award is being linked with her.
VanBriesen's research is in environmental systems, with an emphasis on the role water plays in energy production. She is an expert in detecting biological agents in drinking water and natural water systems, and her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and the Heinz Endowments, to name a few. She currently serves as the Director of CMU's Center for Water Quality in Urban Environmental Systems (WaterQuest), and is a member of the U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board.
This is the most recent in a series of awards that VanBriesen has received for her work, including the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association Professional Research Award, and the Best Research Paper in the Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. She will personally accept the Margaret Petersen Award at the annual World Environmental and Water Resources Congress in Austin, Texas this May.

See more at:  http://engineering.cmu.edu/media/press/2015/01_28_vanbriesen_petersen_award.html