The Appointment of Peter Vikesland as the Pryor Professor of Engineering at Virginia Tech
On July 30, 2024, Virginia Tech announced the appointment of Peter Vikesland as the inaugural Pryor Professor of Engineering. This prestigious position was established in 2019 by Charles W. Pryor Jr. to honor outstanding teaching and research in the field of engineering. The recipient of this title serves a five-year term, and Vikesland’s selection underscores the importance of innovation and excellence in engineering education and research.
Peter Vikesland has been a faculty member at Virginia Tech since 2001 and is recognized internationally for his contributions to nanotechnology and water quality monitoring sensor applications. His extensive experience in both undergraduate and graduate education, coupled with his leadership of interdisciplinary research teams, has garnered significant funding and accolades. Vikesland has secured major grants, including a $3.6 million international research and education collaboration project from the National Science Foundation and an $8.8 million research grant from Flu Lab. His total research funding approaches $28 million, with $8.2 million currently active.
Vikesland’s scholarly output is impressive, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications and more than 13,000 citations. He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Royal Society of Chemistry, and he has received numerous professional awards for his contributions to the field. Vikesland earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Grinnell College and both his Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Iowa.
Peter Vikesland’s Contributions to Nanotechnology and Water Quality Monitoring
Vikesland’s work in nanotechnology and water quality monitoring is particularly relevant in today’s context, where environmental challenges are increasingly pressing. For instance, a study conducted by Virginia Tech researchers highlighted the growing threat of freshwater salinization, which jeopardizes ecosystems and human water security. Approximately one-eighth of the global population lacks access to clean water, and the exacerbation of freshwater salinization compounds this issue.
The primary sources of salt pollution identified include de-icing agents used on roads and parking lots, water softeners, and industrial and wastewater discharges. Stanley Grant, a professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech, emphasized that without immediate action to reverse the trend of salt pollution, it could become one of the major environmental challenges facing the United States.
The research team utilized modeling to predict that by 2100, over half of the streams in the U.S. will experience a 50% increase in salt pollution. This pollution is closely linked to declines in biodiversity, degradation of freshwater habitats, and a lack of safe drinking water. The study also identified opportunities to reduce salt pollution through the highly treated wastewater discharge into the Occoquan Reservoir, underscoring the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders and consideration of local environmental, social, and political contexts.
The research team analyzed 25 years of time-series data to quantify the contributions of highly treated wastewater and runoff from two rapidly urbanizing watersheds to rising sodium concentrations. The Occoquan Reservoir is a critical drinking water source for approximately two million people in the Mid-Atlantic region. The findings revealed that salt pollution in the reservoir primarily stems from wet-weather runoff and highly treated wastewater during dry weather.
To combat salt pollution, the research team proposed four strategies: limiting sodium sources entering water bodies, implementing stricter pretreatment requirements for industrial and commercial dischargers, adopting low-sodium water and wastewater treatment methods, and encouraging households to use low-sodium products. The study emphasizes the need for citizens to be more aware of their environmental impact in daily life, particularly regarding substances discharged into the sewer system.
This research is a collaborative effort involving Virginia Tech, the University of Maryland, Vanderbilt University (2024 USNews Ranking: 18) , and North Carolina State University, funded by the National Science Foundation. The interdisciplinary collaboration of the research team provides new perspectives and methods for addressing this complex environmental issue.
The Significance of the Pryor Professor of Engineering Position at Virginia Tech
The establishment of the Pryor Professor of Engineering position at Virginia Tech is a significant step in recognizing and promoting excellence in engineering education and research. This role not only honors the legacy of Charles W. Pryor Jr. but also serves as a catalyst for innovation within the engineering discipline.
The appointment of Peter Vikesland to this position highlights the university’s commitment to fostering leaders in engineering who can address pressing global challenges. By supporting faculty members who excel in both teaching and research, Virginia Tech is positioning itself as a leader in engineering education. The Pryor Professorship encourages faculty to engage in interdisciplinary research, which is essential for tackling complex problems that require diverse expertise and perspectives.
Moreover, the recognition of Vikesland’s contributions to nanotechnology and water quality monitoring aligns with the broader goals of engineering education, which seeks to prepare students to be problem solvers and innovators. The emphasis on research that has real-world applications not only enhances the educational experience for students but also contributes to the advancement of society as a whole.
The Impact of Interdisciplinary Research Teams in Engineering Education
The importance of interdisciplinary research teams in engineering education cannot be overstated. As demonstrated by the collaborative efforts of Vikesland and his colleagues, interdisciplinary research fosters innovation and allows for the exploration of complex problems from multiple angles.
For instance, North Carolina State University (NC State) recently released a report on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in interdisciplinary innovation. As AI technology becomes more prevalent, its capabilities in natural language understanding, pattern recognition, and decision-making are being harnessed to drive research innovation across various fields, including agriculture, chemical engineering, and education.
In agriculture, NC State’s Sweet-APPS Project utilizes AI to enhance the yield and economic value of sweet potatoes. This initiative is part of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative and employs imaging technology to analyze the quality characteristics of sweet potatoes while integrating data on growth conditions. By applying machine learning algorithms, researchers can identify factors that influence the size and shape of sweet potatoes, ultimately improving crop yields that meet USDA standards.
In the field of chemical engineering, NC State researchers developed a method called Patch-to-Cluster Attention (PaCa) to improve the efficiency of visual transformers in image recognition and classification. This innovation addresses challenges related to computational power and transparency, showcasing how interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to significant advancements in technology.
Furthermore, in the realm of autonomous vehicles, the research team introduced Multi-View Attention Contextualization (MvACon), which modifies the PaCa method to enhance the ability of self-driving cars to map their surrounding three-dimensional space.
In health and biology research, the WormScanAI project utilizes worms as model organisms to explore aging and related diseases, developing machine learning algorithms to predict the age of worms and identify markers of aging or neurodegenerative diseases.
Additionally, NC State has developed a new training parameter to help AI identify and predict when individuals may conceal or provide false information due to economic incentives.
In the field of catalysis research, the Fast-Cat tool automates experiments to rapidly analyze catalytic reactions, providing data equivalent to six months of traditional testing in just five days.
Finally, NC State secured a five-year, $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation to create AI tools that promote innovation in education and enhance human learning.
Through these interdisciplinary research initiatives, NC State is demonstrating the immense potential of AI technology to drive innovation across various fields, highlighting the importance of collaboration in engineering education.
Funding Sources and Their Role in Advancing Engineering Research
Funding sources play a crucial role in advancing engineering research, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) is at the forefront of this effort. The NSF is dedicated to promoting the development of computer and information science and engineering to address significant societal needs. The agency focuses on areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and next-generation communication, ensuring the safety and reliability of these technologies to improve societal well-being.
In the computing domain, the NSF supports the development and operation of advanced network infrastructure, which is essential for scientific and engineering progress. The agency also funds research based on computing and communication foundations, including hardware, software, and emerging technologies like quantum information science.
The NSF’s Computing and Networking Systems division is committed to developing new computing and networking technologies while ensuring their security and privacy. The Information and Intelligent Systems division focuses on the interaction between humans, computers, and information, promoting research in artificial intelligence, data management, assistive technologies, and human-centered computing.
Recently, the NSF announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote the development of semiconductor talent and launched a new AI testbed initiative to enhance the safety and reliability of AI technologies. These initiatives reflect the NSF’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and talent development in the computing field.
In summary, the NSF supports the advancement of computer and information science through various means, ensuring that these technologies can have a positive impact on society.
Conclusion
The appointment of Peter Vikesland as the inaugural Pryor Professor of Engineering at Virginia Tech marks a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to excellence in engineering education and research. Vikesland’s contributions to nanotechnology and water quality monitoring exemplify the importance of addressing pressing environmental challenges through innovative research.
The establishment of the Pryor Professorship not only honors the legacy of Charles W. Pryor Jr. but also serves as a catalyst for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and students. The impact of interdisciplinary research teams, as demonstrated by initiatives at institutions like North Carolina State University, highlights the potential for innovation when diverse expertise is brought together to tackle complex problems.
Furthermore, the role of funding sources, particularly the National Science Foundation, is critical in advancing engineering research and ensuring that emerging technologies can be harnessed for societal benefit. As U.S. colleges continue to prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration and research excellence, the future of engineering education looks promising, with the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing society today.
In conclusion, the appointment of Peter Vikesland and the ongoing efforts in interdisciplinary research and funding underscore the vital role that U.S. colleges play in shaping the future of engineering and technology. As these institutions continue to innovate and collaborate, they will undoubtedly contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.