Biography
Dedicated to advancing sustainable water supply, Dr. Robert B. Sowby has contributed to over 200 civil engineering projects throughout North America. He is a licensed professional engineer with particular expertise in the planning, design, construction, and operation of drinking water systems. He teaches and studies environmental engineering, urban water infrastructure, and sustainability.
Dr. Sowby studied civil engineering at Brigham Young University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Utah and practiced for 10 years in industry before coming to BYU. His other interests include classical music, mountaineering, business, German literature, and travel (50 states + 27 countries and counting). He was the 2020 recipient of ASCE’s Daniel W. Mead Prize for Younger Members.
Research Interests
• Drinking water planning, design, construction, and operation• Urban water sustainability
• Water–energy nexus
• Water system resilience and emergency preparedness
Education
- Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering , University of Utah (2018)
- M.Eng., Civil and Environmental Engineering , Environmental and Water Quality Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2013)
- B.S., Civil Engineering , Water Resources, Brigham Young University (2012)
Licenses and Certifications
- Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) (2017 - Present)
- Professional Engineer (PE - CA, MA, UT) (2016 - Present)
Honors and Awards
- Daniel W. Mead Prize for Younger Members, ASCE (2020 - 2020)
- A. Ivan Johnson Award for Young Professionals, AWRA (2019 - 2019)
- Young Professional Award, AWWA Intermountain Section (2019 - 2019)
- Student Paper Competition Winner, AWRA Utah Section (2018 - 2018)
- Poster Winner, Intermountain Sustainability Summit (2017 - 2017)
- Client Relations Award, Hansen, Allen & Luce (2016 - 2016)
- Utah Water Users Association Scholarship, Utah Water Users Association (2012 - 2012)
- Harold Lee Wimmer Civil Engineering Scholarship, BYU (2010 - 2012)
- Utah Engineers Council Scholarship, Utah Engineers Council (2011 - 2011)
- Florence Chambers Bay Scholarship, BYU (2009 - 2010)
- Brigham Young Scholarship, BYU (2008 - 2009)
Memberships
- American Water Works Association (2012 - Present)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (2009 - Present)
- National Geographic Society (2008 - Present)