A Nigerian scholar and researcher at Arizona State University, Dr Adesola Adegoke, has been awarded the Trent R. Dames and William W. Moore Fellowship by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The award comes with a $10,500 research grant and recognises Adegoke’s innovative work in sustainable geotechnical engineering.
The association in a letter signed by the Executive Director of the ASCE, Thomas W. Smith, commended Adegoke’s proposal, which focused on developing mycelium-based bio-materials as sustainable alternatives to traditional construction inputs.
“These materials show potential in applications such as slope stabilisation and erosion control, offering both structural performance and environmental benefits,” the letter stated.
Speaking on the recognition, Adegoke, a graduate of Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, explained that his fellowship proposal explores how mycelium-based materials can be optimised using artificial intelligence and machine learning for geotechnical engineering purposes.
“It addresses critical areas in infrastructure resilience and environmentally responsible engineering.
“My research integrates biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and geotechnical engineering to develop biodegradable materials that can outperform conventional options while reducing environmental impact,” he said.
According to him, the study combines biotechnology, civil engineering, and computational intelligence, marking a shift toward eco-friendly infrastructure solutions to global climate challenges.
“Unlike conventional materials with high environmental footprints, mycelium-based alternatives are biodegradable and offer a lower-impact lifecycle, making them ideal for sustainable construction,” he added.
Adegoke also noted that the ASCE fellowship, established in 1990 in honour of engineering pioneers Trent R. Dames and William W. Moore, “supports research with far-reaching implications in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges through engineering innovation.”
