Jennifer Duan is Outstanding Woman of the Year for 2025
Jennifer Duan’s research into sediment transport and hydraulic modeling leads to practical engineering techniques, such as those that ensure bridge foundations can hold up to extreme weather, says her nominator Kevin Lansey.
CAEM professor Jennifer Duan was awarded the Margaret Petersen Outstanding Woman of the Year Award for 2025. The award, established by the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2011, honors the accomplishments of former University of Arizona civil engineering professor Margaret Petersen.
“I feel very honored to get this award. I’m inspired by Margaret Petersen’s story and her important contributions to the history of the CAEM department,” said Duan, who worked alongside Petersen.
Duan has focused her career on hydraulic modeling and sediment flow. She is currently working on projects that characterize sediment flow in rivers using airborne imagery and examine how wildfires affect water and sediment flow. These projects are vital to managing resources and protecting ecosystems.
During her time at U of A, Duan has also taught and advised numerous students, mentoring the next generation of engineers to ensure the field's growth and success. Seeing what her students achieve after leaving U of A has been one of the most rewarding facets of Duan's career.
“They’re going to be more successful than we can imagine.”