CEAE Update
Fall 2025
In this issue of the CEAE Update, we feature Elaina Sutley, who was awarded the Blavatnik National Award for Young Scientists and has dedicated her career to engineering solutions for communities affected by natural disasters. This issue also features stories from alumni working in the world of traffic management and public safety, a junior who is not only pursuing his degree in civil engineering, but is a redshirt sophomore on the KU Football team and more faculty updates.
Fall 2025 CEAE Update
Engineering Resilience
Elaina Sutley’s journey to KU civil engineering professor and associate dean highlights her nationally recognized research in community disaster resilience—integrating structural engineering, social equity and long-term recovery studies to help communities better prepare for and recover from extreme events
Engineering Trust, One Road at a Time
KU alumnus Shivraj Patil’s journey to leading traffic engineering and statewide traffic management in Kansas demonstrates how thoughtful infrastructure design builds public trust and enhances safety for communities one road at a time.
Linebacker and Leader
KU civil engineering student and middle linebacker Ezra Vedral balances the rigorous demands of Division I football and engineering coursework, demonstrating leadership, discipline and resilience that shape his success on the field and in the classroom