CU Boulder Engineering

10/12/2026

Making advanced radar technology more accessible to researchers around the world.

At the University of Colorado Boulder, the High precision Imaging, Signals ‘N Radar (Hi-SNR) Lab is advancing the Open Radar Code Architecture (ORCA), an open-source platform that transforms commercially available software-defined radios into powerful tools for environmental monitoring.

From tracking glaciers and snowpack to measuring soil moisture and wildfire risk, ORCA helps researchers spend less time building radar systems and more time generating insights that matter.

cuboulder.engineering/3TuijlQ

A team at the High precision Imaging, Signals ‘N Radar Lab at CU Boulder is leading the Open Radar Code Architecture (ORCA) initiative, an open-source software

10/07/2026

Discover the future of healthcare innovation at the Biomedical Engineering Research Showcase.

Meet University of Colorado Boulder faculty and student researchers and explore cutting-edge technologies through interactive demonstrations and exhibits, including:

• Smart tattoos for real-time health monitoring
• Wearable technologies supporting movement and recovery
• Advanced brain and body imaging systems
• AI-powered tools for detecting heart and vascular disease
• Next-generation biomaterials for medical implants
• Microfluidic technologies that improve diagnostics and blood health

📅 Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026
⏰ 2–4 p.m.
📍 Engineering Center Main Lobby

Open to students, faculty, industry partners and community members.
https://cuboulder.engineering/3U2W9Y1

10/06/2026

CU Engineering is heading to New York City.

Join Dean Keith Molenaar and fellow University of Colorado Boulder Engineering Buffs for an evening of connection and conversation at the Harvard Club of New York City.

📅 Friday, Oct. 16
⏰ 6–8 p.m. ET
📍 Harvard Club of New York City

Reconnect with the CU Engineering community, meet alumni in the NYC area and hear the latest from Boulder.

Alumni parents and friends are welcome!

Register today: https://cuboulder.engineering/4yAW1O0

Join Dean Keith Molenaar for a fun evening with fellow Engineering Buffs.Reconnect with old friends, meet other CU Engineering alumni in the NYC area, and hear from Dean Molenaar about what's happening back in Boulder.

10/06/2026

As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful, questions about its risks are moving beyond science fiction and into real-world research.

University of Colorado Boulder computer science and linguistics professor Martha Palmer examines the potential challenges of increasingly autonomous AI, from cybersecurity threats and infrastructure vulnerabilities to systems behaving in ways their creators never intended.

As one of two U.S. representatives serving on the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, Palmer advocates for stronger guardrails, more thoughtful AI development and a deeper understanding of how these systems make decisions.

https://cuboulder.engineering/46ZbsUF

Fears about AI going rogue and turning against humanity have reached a chilling new high following an AI researcher's warning.

10/03/2026

Engineering a future with cleaner, safer water.💧

For University of Colorado Boulder third-year environmental engineering PhD student Melanie Gamboa, a passion for clean water started with experiences visiting family in Costa Rica. Today, she's helping advance sustainable solutions that can improve access to safe drinking water for communities around the world. 🌎

In Dr. Karl Linden's lab, Melanie researches how UV light and other wavelengths can be used to develop innovative, sustainable water treatment technologies that protect public health and strengthen water security.

From personal inspiration to global impact, Melanie is using engineering to help create a healthier, more sustainable future.

https://cuboulder.engineering/3TwmvS4

I am originally from New Jersey. Although I did not grow up around mountains, I always knew I loved being outdoors and learning about the environment. From an

09/29/2026

Managing big data in complex systems. ⚡

University of Colorado Boulder second-year Robotics PhD student Izzy Collins is researching ways to reduce communication demands in large-scale distributed systems, with applications ranging from robotics to power grids that span entire countries.

Working in Dr. Emily Jensen’s controls lab, Izzy is exploring how systems can perform effectively without every component needing complete information from every other part, an approach that could improve efficiency, reliability and scalability.

Inspired by her experiences growing up in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Izzy combines her backgrounds in physics and electrical engineering to tackle challenges at the intersection of robotics, infrastructure and resilient power systems.

Read more about Izzy's research and journey at CU Boulder:

https://cuboulder.engineering/3V9ZEfq

Growing up in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I was very aware of the importance of public infrastructure such as the levees, power grid, and

09/28/2026

CU Engineering Homecoming Tailgate returns Saturday, Oct. 3! 🏈💛🖤

Homecoming is more than a return to Boulder. It's a chance to reconnect with the people, experiences and memories that helped shape your journey.

Join fellow alumni, students, faculty and friends as we celebrate the CU Engineering community before the game. A special thank you to alumni-owned Ratio Beerworks (Jason zumBrunnen, ChemEngr'97) and La Randonnée Wines (Kevin Green, ChemEngr'96) for helping make this tradition possible.

CU vs. Texas Tech
Tailgate: 2:30 – 5 p.m. | Kickoff: 5:30 p.m.

We can't wait to welcome you back. See you at Homecoming!

🔗 cuboulder.engineering/4xkUwmh

09/24/2026

A new $10 million gift from the Mortenson family will help the Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience continue and expand its work alongside communities globally—improving access to safe water, reliable infrastructure and sustainability resources.

The gift builds on a longstanding family commitment to CU Boulder and the Mortenson Center by funding two new professorships and adding flexible resources to the center’s endowment.

Thank you to Alice Mortenson, the Mortenson Family Foundation and Mortenson Construction for your philanthropy to propel CU Boulder forward!

More ↓
https://bit.ly/47em9Tb

09/21/2026

A bridge does more than connect two sides of a river. 🤝

New research led by Evan Thomas, professor in CU Engineering's Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience, found that pedestrian bridges in rural Rwanda can transform communities, improving household income, agricultural activity, school attendance and access to health care. 🏠🪴 ✏️🍎🩺

The study is the world's first randomized controlled trial of civil engineering infrastructure and includes one of the largest data sets ever collected on poverty indicators. The findings provide evidence that thoughtfully designed infrastructure can expand opportunity and improve quality of life.

By combining engineering, data and community impact, this work demonstrates how engineering solutions can help address global challenges and create meaningful change.

https://cuboulder.engineering/4xpxnPo

New research led by Professor Evan Thomas found that pedestrian bridges in rural Rwanda improved household income, agricultural activity, school attendance and

09/17/2026