Office of Naval Research Awards More Than One-half Million Dollar Grant to Cal State L.A. for Seafloor Engineering Research


Mark Tufenkjian (Pasadena resident), a professor of civil engineering at California State University, Los Angeles, has received a 2003 Research and Education (REP) grant of $594,253 from the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Among the 11 awardees nationwide, Tufenkjian represents the only REP grant recipient from the Western U.S. and the only professor from the civil engineering discipline. The award is also the largest grant ever bestowed upon the University’s Department of Civil Engineering.

Over the next 3½ years, Tufenkjian and Cal State L.A. civil engineering majors will conduct research in Seafloor Engineering with engineers at the Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center in Port Hueneme, California. The research will develop a mini-cone penetration system for determining seafloor soil properties to assist in the design of foundations and mooring elements; test hydraulic models to analyze the stability of submerged objects on the seafloor; and revise the Navy’s marine geotechnical engineering handbook to include new and innovative engineering solutions and technologies.

“This grant will provide unique and exciting research opportunities for our students and open doors for future collaborations with the Office of Naval Research and navy engineers in Port Hueneme,” said Tufenkjian.

Cal State L.A. civil engineering undergraduate and graduate students who are selected to participate in the program will receive a salary as well as a stipend to cover tuition, books and research-related travel. Undergraduates who enter the program as freshmen and continue through their senior year will carry the title of “ONR Scholar.”

The Office of Naval Research coordinates, executes, and promotes the science and technology programs of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through schools, universities, government laboratories, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations. It provides technical advice to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy and works with industry to improve technology-manufacturing processes.

The College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology is one of six colleges at California State University, Los Angeles. It is divided into five departments––Civil Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; and Technology. Collectively, these departments offer 12 undergraduate programs, four graduate programs and two teaching credentials. More than 80 faculty and staff service nearly 1,700 Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology students.

Contact: Carol Selkin, Media Relations Director (323) 343-3044