Eun Joins UMD Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty

Jongwan Eun, assistant professor in the University of Maryland’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, brings a focus on geotechnical engineering, geoenvironmental challenges, and infrastructure resilience to the department.

"My mission is to explore the soil-water-environment nexus and develop engineering solutions that enhance the sustainability and adaptability of geo-systems and infrastructure in response to the pressing challenges of climate change," Eun said.

With a background in advanced sensing techniques and artificial intelligence (AI), Eun is at the forefront of research aimed at addressing climate change challenges. His work includes the development of geotechnical solutions that can predict, test, and calibrate environmental impacts with unprecedented precision. Eun's research emphasizes practical applications, such as mitigating flood risks and improving soil's water absorption under changing climate conditions.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Eun spent eight years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a faculty member and conducted research in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he explored how desert ecosystems and frozen soil conditions interact with climate variability. His work on frozen soil infiltration, funded by a National Science Foundation Early Career Development grant, aims to improve flood predictions by studying the effects of snowmelt and rainfall on soil during rapid temperature changes.

Recently, Eun's research has expanded to include nuclear energy storage materials. By incorporating AI into testing and validation processes, Eun aims to improve the safety and sustainability of nuclear waste repositories. His long-term goal is to develop a "physically informed neural network" that integrates AI with physical and numerical testing to advance this critical area.

"I'm excited to pursue my work here at UMD, particularly in collaboration with the Clark School of Engineering's strong risk assessment programs," Eun said.

Published October 26, 2024