James R. Schaaf Civil Engineering Scholarship

As an aspiring water resources engineer, I envision my role in addressing the engineering challenges posed by climate change through innovative research, practical application, and proactive policy advocacy. My academic and professional journey has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to this critical field, and I am committed to leveraging my expertise to create sustainable solutions that mitigate the impacts of our changing environment. During my academic career, I have focused on understanding the dynamics of water systems and their vulnerabilities to climate change. My research has centered on developing models to predict the impacts of extreme weather events on water resources. Specifically, I have investigated how increased rainfall intensity and frequency due to climate change can overwhelm existing stormwater infrastructure, leading to urban flooding. By utilizing advanced hydrological models and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), I have identified critical areas at risk and proposed targeted mitigation strategies. One notable research project involves assessing the resilience of a local watershed to climate-induced changes in precipitation patterns. Through this project, I analyze historical weather data, project future climate scenarios, and evaluate the performance of current water management practices. The findings highlight the need for adaptive infrastructure, such as enhanced drainage systems and green infrastructure solutions like bioswales and permeable pavements, to better manage stormwater runoff and reduce flood risks. This research provides valuable insights for local policymakers and urban planners. Looking forward, I am eager to continue this line of work and expand my impact on a broader scale. My goal is to contribute to the development of resilient water management systems that can withstand the uncertainties of climate change. This involves advancing technical solutions and engaging with communities and stakeholders to ensure these solutions are equitable and inclusive. In my future career, I plan to focus on the following key areas: Innovative Water Management Solutions: I aim to develop and implement technologies and practices that enhance water efficiency and conservation. This includes promoting smart water systems that leverage real-time data to optimize water distribution and usage, as well as exploring alternative water sources such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling. Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies: I am committed to designing and advocating for infrastructure that can adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. This involves integrating nature-based solutions, such as wetland restoration and urban green spaces, into traditional engineering practices to create multifunctional landscapes that provide ecological, social, and economic benefits. Policy and Advocacy: Recognizing the importance of supportive regulatory frameworks, I intend to actively participate in policy development and advocacy efforts. By collaborating with governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups, I aim to influence policies that promote sustainable water management practices and prioritize climate resilience. Community Engagement and Education: Empowering communities to take an active role in water management is crucial for long-term sustainability. I plan to engage in educational initiatives that raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on water resources and promote community-led solutions. By fostering a culture of stewardship, we can build resilient communities that are better prepared to face future challenges. The scholarship will provide me with the necessary resources to further my education and research in water resources engineering, enabling me to develop innovative solutions and make meaningful contributions to the fight against climate change. With this support, I am confident in my ability to drive positive change and help create a sustainable and resilient future for our water systems.

When I was fourteen, one of the deadliest and costliest natural disasters in California's history destroyed my home, my town, and the entire area I grew up in. That disaster was the Camp Fire, which started due to a failure of the power infrastructure around the area, a hook that hadn't been maintained for fifty years falling and causing a spark on drought-dry land. It became even more deadly because the road infrastructure in the town was not prepared for a disaster that demanded the whole town evacuate at once and it led to people being trapped on the roads in the fire. I experienced this just a year after experiencing the failure of the Oroville dam's spillway. These are just small parts of the United States infrastructure systems which consistently score a failing grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers on several aspects. I have personally seen and suffered the consequences of neglecting this critical public infrastructure, as have many others in other parts of the country. These consequences get worse with every year with climate change. This is what motivates me to pursue a career in civil engineering. I believe that the United States can be a leader in preparing for the challenges that climate change is bringing within our infrastructure if we are dedicated to it. I am motivated to become a civil engineer because I am dedicated to it, because I have personal experience driving me to care more than a lot of people do about how civil engineering can impact people, and how much it can help them. I know just how badly civil engineering can fail, so it motivates me to make sure that we work toward a future where it doesn't, or at least doesn't quite so spectacularly. This is also what motivates me to pursue disaster recovery in civil engineering. I plan to use my civil engineering degree to help communities affected by natural disasters by aiding them in rebuilding in the wake of these disasters. I plan to use my career in civil engineering to go to communities that have been affected by natural disasters and work with them to rebuild failed dams, levees, bridges, and other parts of their infrastructure after they have been damaged by disasters. I also want to use my degree to go into research, into how we can make our infrastructure, such as our dams and bridges, that fail during these natural disasters more resilient and more sustainable. I want to use research such as this to build back communities that are impacted by disasters in a way that will help to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters in the future. I am going to use my degree to help communities after disasters rebuild their infrastructure in a way that can endure the coming worsening disasters due to climate change, as well as contribute less to worsening climate change. I will help communities that are impacted by natural disasters to rebuild the infrastructure that is vital to recovery from disasters, and that will lessen that impact in the next disaster.