VICKSBURG, Miss.— Researchers from 10 U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Districts have been selected for the 2023 session of the Engineer Research and Development Center University (ERDC-U).
Michael Mansfield, a river engineer in training (EIT) with the Kansas City District, was chosen to participate in the detail program, now in its eighth year.
The 12 selectees were announced by ERDC-U Program Manager Antisa Webb, who serves as Chief of the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT), Technology, Knowledge and Outreach (TKO) Division. The Class of 2023 orientation session was held February 27 through March 2 at ERDC headquarters.
“ERDC-U offers partnerships between USACE Division and District participants and relevant laboratory mentors for six-month research projects, resulting in technical solutions benefitting their workplace, the Corps and the Nation,” Webb said. “Working with these subject-matter experts from ERDC’s seven state-of-the art laboratories, participants will focus on real-world solutions, as they also develop leadership skills for their home organization.”
Mansfield has worked for the Kansas City District’s River Engineering and Restoration Section, Hydrologic Engineering Branch for three years. In this position, he has analyzed dredging operations on the Missouri River, performed 1D and 2D sediment transport modeling, and performed geomorphic analyses in the Kansas River basin.
Working with his mentor Zach Tyler at ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), Mansfield will research the operational constraints and anticipated effectiveness of water injection dredging on Tuttle Creek Lake.
The program is co-sponsored by ERDC’s Directorate of Human Capital (DHC) through an application and selection process. Program funding is split between the selectee’s Division or District for choice of labor costs or travel with the other funded by ERDC.
“Mr. Mansfield has demonstrated an exceptional ability to take on complex and challenging projects, often with little precedent, while also communicating the results to a wide audience through presentations and professional publications. We have observed his skills when conducting a pilot study on the effectiveness of deploying the St. Paul District Dredge Goetz on the Missouri River in 2021 to aid future channel maintenance decisions, along with several other examples included on his resume and statement of interest. The challenge of reservoir sedimentation and the sustainability of meeting multi-purpose missions for many of our district reservoir projects is a key concern of mine and the Kansas City District,” said Col. Travis Rayfield, Kansas City District commander. “We greatly appreciate the partnership with ERDC in working towards developing potential feasible solutions to help address this growing challenge. I enthusiastically support Mr. Mansfield's nomination, which would also serve to build upon our collaboration in the research and development opportunity within the Tuttle Creek Reservoir, Water Injection Dredging (WID) Demonstration Project.”
“ERDC-U experiences build a collaborative and continuing partnership with ERDC team members as an investment in the future of the Corps, along with career-long problem-solving contacts,” Webb said.
The ERDC University Program specifically seeks individuals with interest and experience in general scientific and engineering fields encompassing one of the following areas:
- Civil Works and Water Resources
- Environmental Quality and Installations
- Geospatial Research and Engineering
- Information Technology
- Military Engineering
Participants serve as a member of the interdisciplinary Research and Development team reporting to Lead Project Managers and/or Research and Development Direct Program Managers.
In his welcome to the new class, ERDC Director Dr. David Pittman said selectees will “have the opportunity to make great relationships that can help you the rest of your career, and we can learn about District needs from you.”
For program questions, contact Antisa.C.Webb@usace.army.mil Applications for the 2024 program will open October 1 for GS-7-13 team members through the “Opportunities” icon at:https://wiki.erdc.dren.mil/ERDC_University