Bucknell Scholar Makes Strides in Geotechnical Engineering

Last summer, Bucknell Scholar Rhode Limage worked in the geotechnical engineering lab at North Carolina State University. Under the mentorship of Dr. Brina Montoya and Nancy Ingabire Abayo, Rhode studied aid-delivery methods for areas that are prone to earthquakes, with an emphasis on remodeling building infrastructures to improve their resilience.

Rhode’s passion for geotechnical engineering lies in ensuring the safety of humans and the environments they live in. “Nature has provided so much for us,” she says. “And it is critical that we learn how to co-exist with our environment.”

My research experience has taught me an immense amount of patience, confidence and self-improvement.

Last October, Rhode presented her research at Bucknell’s Research Symposium. The annual event provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to showcase their research activities, learn about other methods and disciplines, and present at a professional conference.

In addition, this past February, Rhode traveled to Vancouver, Canada, where she presented her research and findings at the 2024 Geo-Congress, which included various discussion panels and networking events.

This summer Rhode is conducting research at Bucknell University with Richard Crago, a professor of civil and environmental engineering. Rhode will be shifting gears from soil (from her last summer’s research) to water and weather. The research aims to examine how seasonal climate patterns are changing and why, utilizing data from over 150 sites globally. Through her research, Rhode hopes to further contribute to our understanding of climate dynamics and aid in future climate change mitigation efforts.

“My research experience has taught me an immense amount of patience, confidence and self-improvement,” she says. “It has shown that no matter the challenges, in the end they will all come together—and I am extremely grateful to have experienced that.”