Dr. Danny Xiao, University of Wisconsin-Platteville associate professor of civil engineering, was recently elected as president-elect of the American Society of Civil Engineers Wisconsin Section.
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) currently represents more than 150,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. ASCE works to raise awareness of the need to maintain and modernize the nation's infrastructure using sustainable and resilient practices, advocates for increasing and optimizing investment in infrastructure, and improve engineering knowledge and competency. The Wisconsin Section has approximately 2,000 members in its four branches and six technical committees
Xiao will serve a three-year term, starting as president-elect, then president, and completing as past-president.
“I am honored to be elected as the Section’s next president,” said Xiao. “ASCE has been my ‘home’ since being a civil engineering student. I have benefited from the many events organized by ASCE, such as student competitions, community service, technical lectures and field trips. I hope to carry the baton forward and make this ‘home’ a gathering place for students and professionals. In particular, 2023 will be ASCE Wisconsin Section’s centennial year, so it will be a perfect time for us to celebrate our achievements and dedication.”
A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Xiao worked at the Arkansas Department of Transportation and Louisiana Transportation Research Center before joining UW-Platteville in 2015. He is a registered Professional Engineer and Envision Sustainability Professional. Xiao teaches construction materials and transportation courses. He also conducts research on concrete durability, with recent projects on deicing damage to concrete and protecting concrete using penetrating sealers.
“Dr. Xiao has been a leader to the civil engineering department and the college,” said Dr. Philip Parker, acting dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science. “I am fully confident that Dr. Xiao will flourish in this role and wish him the best leading the Wisconsin Section.”
The civil engineering department is one of the oldest departments at UW-Platteville. It offers several bachelor, master’s and certificate programs. With its rigorous curriculum, hands-on approach and active student organizations, such as the ASCE Student Chapter, UW-Platteville civil engineering has earned a national reputation as a premier program.