A major underground construction technology association has honored UH civil engineering professor Cumaraswamy “Vipu” Vipulanandan for his outstanding contributions in education and research related to underground infrastructure construction and maintenance.
The Underground Construction Technology Association, along with industry magazine Underground Construction, have named Vipulanandan winner of their 2011 Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award.
The honor is given annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the underground infrastructure industry.
Vipulanandan’s contributions come through his leadership of the University of Houston’s Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT). CIGMAT develops new grouting materials to repair leaks and seal joints in underground infrastructure, such as water pipes, wastewater pipes and tunnels, as well as perform third-party testing and verification for grouts, coatings and liners developed by industry. It is the only center certified for grout and coating testing for infrastructure applications by the Environmental Technology Verification Program, run by NSF International in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
While this is not the first recognition Vipulanandan has received, this one is particularly meaningful because it comes from people who see the real-world value and quality of his work, he said.
“Getting a recognition outside of a university setting surprised and honored me quite a bit. It shows that people working in the underground construction industry appreciate what we do to enhance the technology and knowledge in their field,” he said.