News
CEE News | January 12, 2026
An age-old mystery solved: Rules for when and where fractures grow in brittle, elastic materials
CEE professor Oscar Lopez-Pamies and doctoral student Farhad Kamarei establish universal criteria for when and where fractures will spread once they start, knowledge that will provide greater understanding of fracture to all fields of science and engineering.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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January 7, 2026
Lei Zhao is 2025 AGU James B. Macelwane Medal Recipient, named AGU Fellow
Lei Zhao has won the AGU James B. Macelwane Medal. Named for former AGU president James B. Macelwane, this award is given annually to three to five early career scientists in recognition of their significant contributions to Earth and space science. As an AGU Honoree, Zhao also receives automatic distinction as an AGU Fellow. Learn more>>
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December 16, 2025
Students in Kontou lab win CUTC Planning & Policy Award
Xingrui Pei, Aarya Patel and Anushka Gautum. Three undergraduate researchers advised by CEE assistant professor Eleftheria Kontou have won the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) Planning & Policy Undergraduate Group Award. The students, Anushka Guatam, Aarya Patel and Xingrui Pei, received the award for their research analyzing electric vehicle charging infrastructure on the University of Illinois campus. Learn more>>