Iowa Engineering news

Teresa R Gaffey

Gaffey wins 2026 Distinguished Research Administrator Award

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Teresa Gaffey, director of finance and business operations for IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering in the University of Iowa College of Engineering, has received the 2026 Distinguished Research Administrator Award.
Professor David Cwiertny presents at a BlueGAP event

Cwiertny awarded funding to expand testing program for lead in water

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
David Cwiertny, William D. Ashton Professor of Civil Engineering and director of the University of Iowa’s Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, has received funding to expand testing for lead in drinking water across Iowa through a statewide program called Get the Lead Out.
Four men wearing suit jackets and a medal around their necks stand in front of a golden curtain while one holds a trophy

Worst to first: Iowa engineering, business team wins international competition

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
University of Iowa undergraduate engineering and business students blended expertise to win first place at ENGCOMM, an international conference focused on the intersection of engineering and business last month.
Two men look closely at a metal chamber on a lab bench.

Scaling light: Iowa professor develops laser processing breakthroughs

Thursday, March 12, 2026
Hongtao Ding, University of Iowa professor of mechanical engineering, has five newly issued or pending U.S. patents from research in laser-based manufacturing technologies, which is aimed at improving how materials are produced for industries such as aerospace, transportation, and automotive.
Two people collect samples from a creek

LeFevre wins Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Award

Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Greg LeFevre, University of Iowa associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, has won the Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Award for 2026.
Colleen Bringman

Bringman named among best teachers at Iowa

Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Colleen Bringman, an associate professor of instruction of biomedical engineering, has received a 2026 President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence, recognizing their exceptional and sustained contributions to student learning and success at the University of Iowa.
Capitol building with "Iowa" flags

Ankrum and Worthington selected for National Academy of Medicine Emerging Leaders Forum

Tuesday, March 3, 2026
James Ankrum and Kristan Worthington are among four University of Iowa faculty members to be selected for the National Academy of Medicine Emerging Leaders Forum.

Upcoming events

Sci-Fi Flix: Fact or Fiction "The Martian"

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Seamans Center

Join us for an out-of-this-world movie experience as we screen "The Martian" (2015) and explore the science behind the story. Is surviving on Mars really possible? Could you grow potatoes in Martian soil? How accurate are the physics, engineering, and geology portrayed on screen?

Enjoy expert commentary from NASA-affiliated experts in engineering, physics and astronomy, and geology as they break down what’s fact and what’s fiction in this sci-fi classic. Bring your curiosity, questions, and love...

Lunch with a NASA Scientist: A Conversation with Dr. Jim Green

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Sciences Library

Have lunch with Dr. Jim Green, retired NASA Chief Scientist and Iowa alum, as he discusses his remarkable career leading planetary missions from Pluto to Jupiter to Mars. Enjoy pizza and stories from inside NASA. Join us as he shares insights into scientific leadership, exploration, and what it takes to push the boundaries of discovery.

Co-sponsored by the Lichtenberger Engineering Library, Sciences Library, Engineering Career Services, and NEXUS.

Research Open House promotional image

Research Open House

Friday, April 10, 2026 10:00am to 2:00pm
Seamans Center
The annual Research Open House welcomes students, faculty, staff, and the general public to learn about the exciting research going on in the College of Engineering
STEM Skate Off promotional image

STEM Skate Off

Saturday, April 11, 2026 5:00pm
Xtream Arena
STEM Night at Xtream Arena, presented by Shoemaker @ Haaland, brings science, technology, engineering, and math to life with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities on the concourse.

Library Workshops: A Guide to Scholarly Publishing—from Journals to Open Access

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Seamans Center

Are you unsure which journal to publish in? Have you ever wondered how to identify and avoid predatory publishers? What is the difference between traditional publishing and open access? This workshop will provide answers to these questions and more, and you’ll learn strategies for navigating the jungle of scholarly publishing. Bring your own questions too! Presented by Kari Kozak, director, Sciences and Engineering Libraries.

View more events

College of Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series