Sometimes you have to build a bridge to find out what it will take to break it! 🔨
Teams of students in our Timber Engineering class (CEE5710) were tasked with designing and building 16-foot bridges, primarily out of two-by-fours, and then putting them to the test.
First members of our Civil and Environmental Engineering community tested out the bridges, judging them on safety and aesthetics, then students watched as 6,000 pounds were loaded onto to the bridges to test how much weight they could withstand before failing. Students made predictions about where their bridge would fail, and examined their broken bridges to learn more how and why these breaks happened.
Duffield Engineering is where I found my true interest in engineering and the opportunities that come with it.
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“Duffield Engineering is where I actually found my interest in engineering, but also where I realized I did not have to stay in just one lane to do it. It is one of the only places that let me explore a mix of things that do not always seem connected, and still find what I enjoy.
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Through the Global Research and Consulting Group, I went to New York City and visited Accenture’s main office, which showed me how what I learn can apply in real settings. At the same time, moments like the Veterans Day bonfire with my crosstown cadet Allie Major, initiation day with my Alpha Xi Delta class, and supporting my podmates at their first field hockey game reflect the people who made that experience feel grounded. Being able to do all of this in one place helped me figure out what I actually care about and where I want to go.”
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– Olivia Jung ‘29
From choosing a strategy for a cube-gathering robot, to building it as a team, and finally competing in the annual “Cube Craze” competition, students in this year’s mechatronics course brought their creativity and energy for an exciting competition! 🤖
Duffield Engineering is giving back and showing up for others.
“As a senior, looking back on my time here makes me realize how much Duffield Engineering shaped me into someone who genuinely wants to give back to the community.
Running STEM outreach at a local Ithaca middle school with Society of Women Engineers, hosting uplifting events in with Women in Computing at Cornell, building real accessibility solutions for the Ithaca community through Cornell Assistive Technologies project team, and TAing the class that made me fall in love with Human-Computer Interaction all reminded me that engineering is ultimately about solving problems for people.
What surprised me the most was how showing up for others became just as much a part of my degree as anything else, and I'll carry that with me long after graduation.”
– Selin Toker ‘26
How many ways are there to harass, catch, or kill invasive spotted lanternflies? The answer is undetermined, but this semester, students in Duffield Engineering developed an impressive array of proposed technological solutions to the challenge of protecting New York state’s vineyards from the destructive insect. 🪰🍇
The student-created projects were the result of a chance encounter in the fall of 2025 between Steve Heim and Kyle Bekelja. Heim, a senior research associate and lecturer, was preparing to teach MAE 2250, which is a required sophomore design class in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Bekelja, the Grape Coordinator for Cornell Integrated Pest Management in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was in search of an engineering team to work on spotted lanternflies. While in previous years students pursued self-directed "open design projects," Heim wanted to redesign MAE2250 to bring in a community partner as a client with a real problem to solve.
“This is about learning how engineering actually works: it's not about finding the one correct solution,” Heim said. “You have to want to get your hands dirty, to look for ways to fail fast and use that to iterate your design. And that is exactly what happened. I'm really proud of what the students achieved.”
The course reflects a broader push toward experiential learning and industry engagement at Cornell Duffield Engineering. Experts from across the university and the agricultural sector provided feedback throughout the semester, reviewing student proposals and offering guidance. Looking ahead, Heim hopes to continue the collaboration beyond the classroom, working with community partners to field test some of the most promising ideas.💡
Duffield Engineering is an adventure of a lifetime.
“When I came to Cornell, I honestly had no idea what I was going to do in the future or what major to pursue. My freshman year was full of discovery, where I found a brand new group of friends to make lifelong memories with, but more importantly, I rediscovered myself. Outside of my biomedical engineering/premedical classes, I'm spending a lot of time in research, where I am working with polymers, and taekwondo practice, where I'm working towards earning my black belt. The transition to college was certainly daunting at first, but I'm happy to say that I've found home here. Ultimately, Duffield Engineering is whatever you make of it, so don't be afraid to put yourself out there!”
– Andy Ying ‘28
How does a three story building behave at different frequencies in an earthquake? Watch along with Fani Derveni’s Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering class to find out!
Duffield Engineering is where engineering meets leadership in unexpected ways.
“During my time at Cornell, I have had many opportunities to not only grow as an engineer, but also as a leader. Classes in Duffield Engineering not only give us the chance to learn in the classroom, but also the opportunity to engage in hands-on group projects and collaborate with fellow peers. I’ve been able to develop my leadership skills by learning how to approach complex problems through technical thinking and communication. These experiences have pushed me to take initiative, contribute meaningfully, and support others in reaching their goals.
The skills I have gained have allowed me to flourish both in and out of the classroom. I have had the opportunity to hold a council position in my sorority and now serve as the President of the Big Red Bears. These roles have been shaped by what I have learned in the classroom. It expands beyond technical skills. It’s about people, being adaptable, and executing effectively. Duffield Engineering has given me the foundation to lead with confidence, think critically, and apply what I learn in real, tangible ways.”
– Maddie Vercher ‘27
Computer science majors Arsh Singh ’28, Paul Trusov ’29, and Jimmy Mulosmani ’29 alongside Sam Rosen, a mechanical engineering student at the University of New Haven, developed GaitGuard—a wearable system designed to assist physical therapy patients in real-time. 🦵💻📈
Inspired by Trusov’s experience at a rehab center, GaitGuard uses real-time feedback to help patients perfect their movements with personalized digital twins. The team built their project inside of 24 hours, competing against more than 200 teams at YHack. On top of receiving third place overall, GaitGuard finished second in a separate category. All told, the team won $2,000 in prizes.
These rising innovators from Cornell Bowers and @cornelleng are pushing boundaries in rehab tech, proving the power of computer science to make a real-world impact!
Duffield Engineering is a supportive environment.
“Coming into Cornell, I was very unsure about staying in the engineering school, and was thinking about transferring out. I came in with that mindset. However, when I got here and started doing classes and meeting more people, I quickly realized I was going to stay in Duffield engineering. There is so much support here, ranging from peer advisors to your faculty advisor to engineering advising in general. I was really grateful for my peer advisors and their support, so I applied to be a peer advisor for my sophomore year. I have loved being able to support new students and helping them the way I was helped in my freshman year.
I also found such a great community in the clubs here, and I have met so many of my close friends through Cru and Cornell Catholic. I also have found so many great community service opportunities here, which is something I was really looking for in a school. I am involved in CampusCares which is a community service platform, and I am also a part of big red buddies where I get to volunteer at a local preschool once a week. I have found so much fulfillment and community through these organizations. I love being involved in the clubs and community here, and have found such a supportive community in my time here.”
– Leslie Baker ‘28
We're proud to announce Beckie Robertson '82 as the 2026 recipient of the Cornell Duffield Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award.
She is co-founder and general partner at Versant Ventures, a healthcare venture capital firm focused on biotechnology and drug discovery. Over the course of her career, her work has helped bring new medical technologies from early-stage concepts to the world.
Beckie has played a significant role in Cornell’s governance and strategic direction. She currently serves as vice chair of the Cornell University Board of Trustees and chairs its executive committee, and has supported initiatives such as the Clinical Immersion Program in the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering.
"Beckie... represents the very, very best of Cornell,” said Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff. "She has shown up for Cornell over and over again as a trusted advisor, generous volunteer and valued partner.”
