photo of Fernanda Leite teaching in classroom 

Sept. 15, 2015

Fernanda Leite, assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, was selected to attend the National Academy of Engineering’s (NAE) Frontiers of Engineering Education Symposium.

The Frontiers of Engineering Education (FOEE) Symposium brings together some of the nation’s most engaged and innovative engineering educators to discuss pioneering technical work and research in various engineering fields and industry sectors to inspire a sustained dialogue on engineering education. FOEE faculty members are actively teaching in US engineering programs and have recently implemented significant innovations in their classes. Leite was chosen by NAE through a competitive selection process.

A faculty member since 2010, Leite received her PhD from Carnegie Mellon University. Her technical interests include information technology for project management, building information modeling, visualization, life-cycle information integration, collaboration and coordination technologies, and information technology-supported construction safety management.

Leite teaches courses on project management and economics, building information modeling (BIM) for capital projects, and construction safety. She has integrated project-based learning to all her classes, through course projects, industry mentorships, and interactive exercises.

“By attending the NAE Frontiers of Engineering Education Symposium, I hope to exchange and gain knowledge on leading-edge research and innovation across a variety of engineering disciplines, especially with regards to information-technology supported engineering problems,” says Leite.

“It is always a great pleasure to interact with other individuals who are as passionate as I am about teaching,” she says. “I am excited for the opportunity to meet and learn with other engineering faculty in this year’s symposium. I look forward to hearing what others have been doing to innovate in the classroom and enhance student engagement.”

The two-and-a-half-day symposium will be held Oct. 25-28 at the National Academies’ Beckman Center in Irvine, California.