Institute for Transportation

Program for Sustainable Pavement Engineering & Research (PROSPER) graduate student Araz Hasheminezhad recently won the Graduate and Professional Student Senate’s (GPSS’) Research Award.

The award recognizes Iowa State graduate students who demonstrate an “exemplary commitment to innovative methods and scholarly contribution.”

Hasheminezhad officially received the award at a GPSS ceremony earlier this month.

“I am honored to be selected for this prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding researchers at ISU who make significant contributions to their field through research, presentations, posters, and publications,” Hasheminezhad said.

Hasheminezhad’s research with PROSPER Director Halil Ceylan has centered on a project using innovative 100% recycled plastic-based geosynthetics for base stabilization purposes on unpaved roads.

The project, funded by the Iowa Highway Research Board and Iowa Department of Transportation, is expected to conclude in August 2027, but the findings so far demonstrate the potential of the geosynthetic as an eco-friendly and durable infrastructure solution.

More about the project is available on the research project page.

In addition to this award, the Iowa State Graduate College awarded Hasheminezhad its Research Excellence Award last December.

The award, given to multiple graduate students three time per year, recognizes graduate students for outstanding research accomplishments as documented in their theses and dissertations. The intent of the program is to recognize “the best of the best” graduating students who have submitted theses and dissertations.

Hasheminezhad has previously won the Federal Highway Administration’s Student Writing Competition and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials’ Best Paper Award.