A 28-year-old Rwandan engineer Lisa Umutoni received an award for "her oustanding contribution to the profession of Civil Engineering" in the US State of South Carolina and in African countries, presented to her by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Umutoni, a PhD candidate and a graduate of the University of Rwanda, received the 2024 Young Civil Engineer of the Year Award on September 13.

This accolade, according to her, not only celebrates her hard work but also highlights her potential to lead and inspire the next generation of engineers.

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"I am incredibly pleased and honored to receive the 2024 ASCE Young Civil Engineer Award. A huge thank you to the ASCE South Carolina Section for this recognition. It fuels my passion to keep pushing boundaries and making a positive impact,” Umutoni said in an interview with The New Times.

She credited her success to the unwavering support of her mentors, including her advisor Vidya Samadi and committee members Jose Payero, George Vellidis, Charles Privette, and Ali Bulent Koc, stressing that their guidance, wisdom, and support have been instrumental in her journey.

Umutoni also expressed gratitude to her husband, Jules Iradukunda, for his constant encouragement and support.

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Her journey in civil engineering began at the University of Rwanda, where she graduated in 2018 with a degree in Water and Environmental Engineering. She then embarked on a year-long internship with the Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority, monitoring water resources.

Umutoni’s quest for knowledge and excellence led her to the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands, where she earned a master’s degree in Water Science and Engineering, specializing in Hydroinformatics in 2021.

After returning to Rwanda for a brief period, Umutoni worked on flood mitigation projects, focusing on developing hydrological and hydraulic models to understand flood risks and inform decision-makers.

Her notable contributions included projects in the catchment in Nyaruguru District and Gisozi, in Kigali.

In February 2022, she relocated to the United States to pursue her PhD in Agricultural Systems Management at Clemson University.

Her PhD research is centered on developing a decision support system that uses machine learning techniques to help farmers determine when and how much to irrigate based on weather conditions and soil moisture.

"My work is driven by the pressing need to address climate change, particularly the impact of floods and droughts on agriculture. We need innovative solutions, and my goal is to create tools that can support farmers in making data-driven decisions,” Umutoni said.

Despite the challenges of working in a male-dominated field, Umutoni views these obstacles as opportunities to excel.

"You often find yourself as one of the few women in a room full of men, but that pushes you to work even harder. It is a challenge, but it also brings out the best in you,” she noted.

Umutoni’s experiences working across different countries have broadened her perspective. However, she acknowledges that finding common ground in research remains a challenge, as each region faces its unique environmental and societal issues.

When asked about her plans, Umutoni expressed her desire to continue learning and contribute to Rwanda’s development.

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"I want to come back home, but I also want to gain as much experience and knowledge here as I can. My ultimate goal is to have a bigger impact in Rwanda by applying what I have learned to address the challenges we face, particularly in water resources management,” she said.

Her advice to young women, especially those considering a career in engineering, is one of encouragement and empowerment.

She said: "Do not be afraid. Yes, it is challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, work hard, and have confidence in your abilities. Women are just as capable as men, and we can achieve great things in civil engineering.”