Undergraduate Researcher of the Year 2009
College of Engineering

A junior in the Environmental Engineering program in the College of Engineering, Ashleigh Restad is also very involved with the Utah State University chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB).  Ashleigh started working at the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) assisting with various laboratory and field projects in 2007.  Most recently, she is in charge of a project investigating the effectiveness of deep installation septic systems; specifically, collecting field data for a two-year project to determine if septic systems in Utah homes are treating wastewater effectively.  In addition to her coursework, research, and volunteering, Ashleigh assists a Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) graduate student with research on the remediation of groundwater that has been contaminated with industrial solvents.  As a founding member of the CEE EWB project in Mexico, Ashleigh helped with research and design technology for a septic system to benefit an orphanage.  She was team lead for the 2007 and 2008 groups that implemented the project.  As current president of the USU EWB chapter, she coordinates activities, research projects, and fundraising.  When she’s not studying, researching or traveling with the EWB group, Ashleigh works as a summer camp counselor in North Carolina, volunteers in the community, and is an active member of the Society of Environmental Engineering Students.