Engineering Sustainability and Modernizing the Engineering Curriculum

Presenter: Faculty and Researchers at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Location: ERF 1047

Abstract: We are honored to present this seminar from Faculty and Researchers at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), one of Brazil’s leading public universities, visiting under the Modernization of Undergraduate Education Program (PMG), a joint initiative supported by the Fulbright Commission in Brazil and the U.S. Embassy. This program supports strategic partnerships between Brazilian and U.S. institutions to modernize undergraduate engineering education.

In this interactice seminar, the team will present on Modernization of Undergraduate Education Program and environmental and sustainable engineering curriculum, focusing on the following areas:

Fostering creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in engineering programs
• Modernizing curricula, teaching methods, and course management models
• Promoting integration with graduate studies, industry, and society
• Building sustainable Brazil–U.S. academic networks

They are particularly interested in learning from experiences in curriculum design, innovative pedagogy, and industry engagement within engineering programs.

Speaker Bios:

Prof. Mayara Amario
Mayara Amario is a Professor in the Department of Civil Construction at the Polytechnic School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and Vice Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Environmental Engineering (PEA/UFRJ). She holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from COPPE/UFRJ, with expertise in Structures and Materials. Her research focuses on sustainable construction materials, recycling of construction and demolition waste, and damage and fracture mechanics in polymers and composites. Prof. Amario collaborates with research groups in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and serves as a reviewer for leading journals such as Construction and Building Materials, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Sustainability. She is also Head of the Construction Materials Laboratory (LAMAC) at UFRJ.

Dr. Karoline Figueiredo
Dr. Karoline Figueiredo is a civil engineer specializing in sustainable construction and the built environment. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (Concentration: Built Environment) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil. Her research focuses on optimizing the selection of construction materials and components to reduce environmental, social, and economic impacts throughout the life cycle of construction projects, employing Digital Twin and Blockchain technologies. Figueiredo has undertaken research and teaching at several international institutions, including Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Spain), Western Sydney University (Australia), and Universidad de Santiago de Chile. Her work integrates Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) methodologies to support sustainability-oriented decision- making in the construction industry. In addition to her research activities, Figueiredo lectures in a postgraduate course at UFRJ, where she coordinates a unit focused on BIM methodology. She also serves as a lecturer at the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) in Australia, contributing to Higher Education (HE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs.

MSc. Ana María Naranjo Herrera
Ana María Naranjo Herrera is a Doctoral Candidate in the Environmental Engineering Program at the Polytechnic School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), where she also holds a Specialization in Occupational Safety Engineering. She has a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering (UFRJ) and a background in Environmental Engineering (UPB), emphasizing Basic Sanitation and Environmental Management. Her professional experience focuses on hazardous waste management, urban sanitation, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and GHG emissions calculation. She is developing a biodigester prototype with a Wetland for sustainable sewage treatment, integrating the circular economy concept, and participates in the Ecoclima na Maré project.

MSc. Rodrigo Hoerner
Rodrigo Hoerner is a D.Sc. student in the Ocean Engineering Program at COPPE, UFRJ. Environmental Engineer and M.Sc. in Ocean Engineer. Hoerner works with Water Quality, Plastic Polution, Sediments and Sanitation Systems, at the Cohesive Sediments Dynamics Laboratory (LDSC) and the Water and Cities Laboratory (LAC) at UFRJ.