NCAT Announces Four New Researchers

The National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University welcomes Dr. Adriana Vargas-Nordcbeck, Dr. Fabricio Leiva-Villacorta, Dr. Fan Gu, and Dr. Fan Yin to their research team.

Dr. Adriana Vargas-Nordcbeck, an Auburn alumna, is joining NCAT in August as an assistant research professor. Adriana comes to Auburn from the University of Costa Rica and their national infrastructure lab, Laboratorio Nacional de Materiales y Modelos Estructurales (LANAMME). She will lead all pavement preservation experiments and pursue new projects related to pavement management and pavement preservation in addition to teaching select civil engineering courses.

Dr. Fabricio Leiva-Villacorta will be joining NCAT in August as an assistant research professor. Fabricio is an Auburn University alumnus and was a graduate assistant at NCAT before working at LANAMME with his wife, Dr. Adriana Vargas-Nordcbeck. Fabricio will lead research on using recycled materials in asphalt pavements, multi-scale pavement analysis, teach civil engineering materials courses, and instruct segments of NCAT training courses for the asphalt pavement industry.

Dr. Fan Gu will be joining NCAT in September as a postdoctoral researcher. Dr. Gu received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southeast University in China. He served as a postdoctoral research associate at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) after receiving his Ph.D. in civil engineering from Texas A&M University. Dr. Gu will lead research regarding rolling resistance, cold central plant recycling (CCPR) and cold in-place recycling (CIR), assist numerous ongoing studies, and instruct segments of NCAT training courses.

Dr. Fan Yin joined the NCAT staff in July as a postdoctoral researcher. Dr. Yin earned his bachelor’s degree in transportation engineering from Southeast University in China and moved to the United States in 2010. He received his master’s degree and Ph.D. at Texas A&M University and worked as a graduate research assistant at TTI. Dr. Yin is working on the cracking group experiments led by NCAT and the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s MnROAD facility. One of his initial assignments is to recommend a long-term aging protocol for lab and plant produced asphalt mixtures prior to cracking tests. He is also working on analysis of cracking tests, cost effectiveness of premium mixtures, and porous asphalt pavements.

Executive Director Message - July 2016

A Chance to Give Back

August is almost upon us and so is the 5th Annual UAPA Golf Classic. I hope you will consider joining us as we partner with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area to give a little something back to those who are in need in our community. The tournament continues to be one of my favorite things that we do each year as an association. Not simply because I love the game of golf, but more so for the chance that we have take a few hours out of the heart of the paving and construction season to be together and to focus on what really matters: friends, families, and kids in need.

We do a lot each year to connect communities, improve the quality of life and infrastructure in Utah, and give to those in need. On the 17th, I hope you’ll join us in giving just a little more at a time of year when we know that you are already giving so much. The good news is you will not be alone as we are on pace to have record numbers at this year’s tournament. Thanks to you, I am excited to help make a difference in the lives of some families in need. See you on the 17th!!

Executive Director Message - June 2016

It’s hard to believe that the month of June is almost up and that July is right around the corner.  It’s great to see the weather finally cooperate and have everyone out on projects helping to make UDOT’s vision of keeping Utah moving a reality.  Like many of you, I felt like I never really got my feet under me during June.  It could have been the numerous meetings with UDOT working on important specification changes, the fact that I had to attend Scout Camp for the first time since I was thirteen, or the continued work of the association in putting on another great Lunch and Learn and meeting with the various committees that remain the heartbeat of the association.  Unfortunately, the month of June also saw the unexpected passing of a close friend to our family, so even though things may be incredibly busy now both on the job and in the office, be sure to tell those you love that you indeed love them and are grateful for all they do for you.

July and all of its madness is right around the corner.  There’s no slowing down in the immediate future, but hopefully you’ll come and join us on the 17^th of August at the 5^th Annual UAPA Golf Classic so we can give a little something back to our community and to our future leaders through our scholarship fund.

Thanks for all the good you do!

-Reed