College of Engineering
Tennessee Tech Honors Alfred Kalyanapu with 2023 Leighton E. Sissom Innovation and Creativity Award
Tennessee Tech University’s College of Engineering has honored Alfred Kalyanapu as
the winner of the 2023 Leighton E. Sissom Innovation and Creativity Award.
The award recognizes innovation in scholarship, research methodology, invention, technique, processes and other unique contributions made by faculty, staff and students associated with the College of Engineering. Kalyanapu, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, was presented with the award on April 25th at the College of Engineering Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon.
Kalyanapu, who holds a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Utah, focuses his research on water resources engineering, specifically flood modeling and simulation and hydrological monitoring and leads the Water Resources Modeling & Simulation research group at Tech, TechWARMS.
Recently, Kalyanapu formed a team of undergraduate and graduate students from civil and environmental engineering and electrical and computer engineering to build low-cost, real-time flood monitoring systems. These systems are designed to help prepare for flood disasters, and their low cost is crucial for rural and underserved communities who do not have resources for state-of-the-art monitoring systems.
In August 2021, the City of Waverly, Tenn. suffered devastating floods, and Kalyanapu worked with the city to install his devices to help them prepare for future floods. His work was the subject of a National Public Radio story from its Nashville affiliate and was broadcast throughout the country,
Kalyanapu's sensors cost only $500 each, compared to current systems that cost between $25,000 to $45,000. His research will provide safety for communities in rural areas that may otherwise not be prepared for unanticipated and flash floods, as most of the existing gauges and systems are only in place along large rivers, lakes, and watersheds.
The research is not only innovative but also highly creative, as Kalyanapu involved students in building the monitoring systems. His student team partnered with three counties in the area to install the devices around Middle and West Tennessee.
"We commend Dr. Kalyanapu for doing what engineers do best: innovating to solve societal problems," said Joseph C. Slater, dean of the College of Engineering. "This award acknowledges not only the level of impact his research and innovation have had on students and the Tennessee community, but also the extent it will save lives.”
More information on Kalyanapu’s research efforts can be found at the TechWARMS website.
College of Engineering Newsroom
