Meaghan Shaw '26, a civil engineering student in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture, is one of two student recipients this year of the Belle K. Ribicoff Prize. It is awarded each year to students in recognition of academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and originality of thought.
Shaw has continually sought opportunities to conduct research, design projects, intern with established players in the field, and mentor classmates—all across as many engineering disciplines as possible. A more active, eager, or committed student would be difficult to find, which is why Shaw is an ideal recipient of the Ribicoff Prize.
“As just one example among dozens, all of which demonstrate her leadership, devotion to teamwork, and enthusiasm, Meaghan took the initiative a while back to apply for a summer position at the University of Miami, where her research on sustainable infrastructure allowed her to build on the fundamentals she learned in civil engineering and environmental studies, integrating them in new and effective ways,” notes David Pines, professor of civil, environmental, and biomedical engineering at the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. “Meaghan also works tirelessly with fellow students to explain concepts, help with homework, and prepare for exams in physics, math, and coding. She’s invaluable.”
Other projects included interning with Tadco, a New Jersey-based leader in civil, structural, and environmental engineering, and creating several entries for the UHart design expos, including a first-place entry for a flood detector using specialized open-source hardware and software, and an automatic watering system for UHart’s greenhouse. That project led to her appointment as the student representative on the Faculty Senate Environmental and Sustainability Committee. In that role, Shaw helped organize Earth Day programming and educational events related to campus waste management.
Shaw serves on the Connecticut Gamma chapter of the engineering collegiate honor society Tau Beta Pi, previously as recording secretary and currently as vice president. She was also awarded the UHart-based Savin Scholarship for civil engineering students.