SEPTEMBER 2025

An advanced manufacturing process for aerospace industries, developed in part by West Virginia University researchers, received global recognition for its versatile capabilities in transforming the energy industry.  

Concerned about the ability of artificial intelligence models trained on data from urban demographics to make the right medical diagnoses for rural populations, WVU computer scientists have developed several AI models that can identify signs of heart failure in patients from Appalachia.

A collaborative research team in the Statler College taking on one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges: PFAS contamination in drinking water.

The Statler College is proud to announce that Deniz Talan, assistant professor of mining engineering, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Freeport-McMoRan Academic Career Development Grant.

As tech transforms industries in unique ways, researchers at WVU continue to lead the charge. Fei Dai, a professor in the Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Statler, has been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation grant through its Building Capacity in STEM Education Research program.

Emily Spayde has been appointed as director of engineering technology, one of the fastest-growing undergraduate programs in the Statler College effective as of August 15, 2025.

The launch of the new Career and Professional Development Center at Statler will open the door to greater professional, personal, and educational opportunities for Statler students and alumni.

PhD student Deepanjali Roy is an experimentalist. “I don’t do simulations or modeling,” she said. “I work with my hands. Being in the lab is my favorite part of the day.” The WVU graduate student researcher at the Statler College helped create a system that removes the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into a common industrial chemical.

Join us for a student-led conference open to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni on October 23, from 1–5 PM in the Engineering Sciences Building. Registration is free, but the opportunity to connect with our students is priceless! Space is limited — register by October 15. Sign up today!

Dear friends and colleagues,  

In this issue of EngineeringWV Wired, we are excited to announce that Xingbo Liu, our Associate Dean for Research, and his team have received the prestigious R&D 100 Award — often referred to as the "Oscars of Innovation." This award marks the second that Dr. Liu has received as a research leader, out of a total of six awarded to members of our college as team participants over the years.

Innovation doesn't stop there when chemical and biomedical engineering Ph.D. student Deepanjali Roy is creating a system to remove carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into common industrial chemicals. In the same department, researchers Oishi Sanyal and Cerasela Dinu are exploring new methods to remove harmful chemicals from drinking water. Meanwhile, in the computer science and electrical engineering department, Prashnna Gyawali is collaborating with WVU Health Sciences to train AI to diagnose heart failure in rural patients.

We are excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead for our students and the growth of our programs. Over the past two years, our engineering technology program has expanded to 105 students, making it one of the fastest-growing programs at the college. Additionally, the civil and environmental engineering department is now incorporating virtual reality (VR) into the curriculum to enhance students' understanding of material impacts, engagement, and decision-making.

Our commitment to providing our faculty, staff, and students with the best tools and resources to thrive makes me eager to see what they will accomplish next!

Let's Go!

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Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources | West Virginia University
1374 Evansdale Drive | P.O. Box 6070 | Morgantown, WV 26506-6070
PHONE: 304.293.4821 | EMAIL: engineeringwv@mail.wvu.edu

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