Center for Bio-Mediated & Bio-Inspired Geotechnics (CBBG)


NMSU is one of four university partners in the Engineering Research Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG) funded by the National Science Foundation (started in 2015). University partners include Arizona State University (lead), NMSU, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of California, Davis. The Center also engages industry and government agencies through the CBBG’s industrial affiliates program.

Image courtesy of Jason DeJong


Image courtesy of Jason DeJong

Dr. Paola Bandini is the campus principal investigator of the grant for NMSU and leads the Infrastructure Construction Thrust for the Center. In addition to research, NMSU leads the Diversity and K-12 programs for the Center. The Center goal is to develop and implement into practice nature-inspired sustainable solutions to geotechnical engineering and infrastructure problems. Other faculty members from the NMSU Department of Civil Engineering involved in CBBG research projects include:

  • Dr. Douglas Cortes (Geotechnical Engineering)
  • Dr. Craig Newtson (Structural Engineering)
  • Dr. Lambis Papelis (Environmental Engineering)
  • Dr. Zohrab Samani (Water Resources Engineering)
  • Dr. Brad Weldon (Structural Engineering)

Homepage for CBBG (Arizona State Univ.)