News
📅 May 13, 2025
We’re proud to share that Habeeb Adegoke, PhD student in the Salifu Lab, has been awarded the 2025 Trent R. Dames and William W. Moore Fellowship by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
This national fellowship supports graduate students applying geotechnical engineering and earth sciences to address societal and environmental challenges. Habeeb’s work in the Salifu Lab reflects this mission deeply.
Learn more about the fellowship and past recipients here:
🔗 https://www.asce.org/career-growth/awards-and-honors/fellowships/trent-r-dames-and-william-w-moore-fellowship
📅 May 1, 2025
Congratulations to Adesola Adegoke, who has officially passed his doctoral qualifying exam and is now a PhD candidate in Civil, Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering! This marks a major milestone in Adesola’s academic journey. We’re proud of his hard work, determination, and growing professional development.
📅 March 7, 2025
We’re excited to share that Anna Kwablah earned Second Place in the poster competition at Geo-Arizona 2025! Her outstanding presentation and research clarity stood out among peers and were duly recognized. Well done, Anna!
📅 March 4, 2025
A big congratulations to Adesola Adegoke, who was awarded the People’s Choice Award for his poster presentation at the Environmental Professionals of Arizona (EPAZ) Conference! The award reflects both the impact of his work and his ability to communicate science effectively.
📅 January 7, 2025
We’re proud to announce that Lune Martin, a freshman researcher in the Salifu Lab, has been awarded a FURI (Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative) Scholarship by the ASU Fulton Schools of Engineering! This award supports Lune’s work for the Spring and Fall 2025 semesters.
📅 December 19, 2024
Congratulations to Taylor E. Tuckett, who has graduated with an MS in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering from ASU! Taylor has been a core member of the Salifu Lab, contributing to biomediated soil research and outreach. We celebrate her success and look forward to what’s next in her professional journey.
📅 November 21, 2024
Adesola Adegoke earned Second Place for Outstanding Research Poster at the 21st Arizona Pavement/Materials Conference. His poster, co-authored with Yasen Kashour, focused on the influence of fungal-mycelium growth on dessication cracking in expansive soils.
📅May 6, 2024
We’re pleased to share that Taylor E. Tuckett received a $1,500 Student Travel Grant from the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE) to support her participation in a national research conference. This award reflects Taylor’s active research engagement and professional development.
Adam Fruehe, a senior from Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, AZ, is participating in the Young Scholars’ Program (YSP). He will be mentored by Taylor on the exciting project of FICP for Dust Mitigation.
Matthew Oless, studying for an Associate Degree in Environmental Science at Glendale Community College, AZ, is participating in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. He will be mentored by Habeeb, assisting the lab in developing an appropriate protocol for enhancing the rapid growth of mycelia biomass in different soil types.
Guess who is back this summer: Ryan Cotter Willis (CBBG-REU-2023). Ryan will continue his work on mycoremediation of heavy metal contamination.
Taylor’s pitch on ‘Mycelium for Soil Improvement’ received the highest scores from judges at both the ASU-wide and CBBG-wide prelims held on June 10th and 17th, 2024, respectively.
Click here to Read about it.
March 20, 2024. A big round of applause for Taylor, whose poster on, “Fungi-induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation for Dust Mitigation,” was awarded the first prize at Geo-Arizona 2024. Congratulations, Taylor, on this remarkable recognition!
February 24, 2024. We’re thrilled to welcome Cailynn Gaskin-Dethloff to the Salifu Lab through the CBBG Young Scholars’ Program (YSP) for the Spring 2024 semester. Cailynn will work closely with Taylor on the exciting project of Fungi-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation for Dust Mitigation. Cailynn’s first day at the lab was during the ASU Open Door event where she impressed everyone with her exceptional communication skills and ability to engage the public!
Check out the photos!
According to EPAZ, Habeeb’s application “…and goals stood out among the applications received from other students across the state…”
Habeeb, along with other scholarship recipients were invited to the EPAZ annual conference on February 27th, 2024, to receive their prize and certificates.
January 4, 2024. In this CNN Feature, Dr Salifu Lends Expert Insight on Revolutionary Biocrust Research for the Great Wall of China, illuminating the significance of biocrusts in protecting one of the world’s most iconic monuments.
January 8, 2024: We are excited to have Salim Al Aufi (MS student) join the Salifu Lab. Salim will be working on the ABOR-funded research on dust mitigation. Specifically, he will be leading the field deployment of EICP on a one-acre fallow ag land in Casa Grande, AZ. Dr Salifu is co-Chair with Dr. Ed Kavazanjian on Salim’s project.
Welcome to the team, Salim!
December 10, 2023: For this FURI project, Henry will be working on bio stimulation of fungi-mycelium to create a natural surface mat (geotextile) hypothesized to be capable of mitigating post-wildfire soil erosion.
2023
December 8, 2023: The team had the first lab retreat with a review of past activities and plans for the future. The full day event ended an evening of relaxation, food, and some ‘wonder’ at Wonderspaces in Scottsdale, AZ. Looking forward to a fruitful and productive 2024!
November 12, 2023: This month we are excited to have Henry Nakaana (freshman) and Gabriel Moreno (Senior) join the Salifu Lab. Henry is interested in post-fire erosion mitigation using fungi, and Gabriel will be exploring ancient biochemical-based self-healing technologies that may reinspire new innovations in modern times.
Great additions to the Lab!
September 15th, 2023: Dr Salifu submitted the final reports for these two projects, marking their closure. The Salifu Lab is grateful to the SRP-ASU Joint Research Project ($70k) and the Momental Foundation ($10k) for their sponsorships
August 16th, 2023: Adesola Habeeb Adegoke joins the Salifu Lab as a Graduate Research Assistant to work on mycogeotextiles for geotechnical applications!
Welcome on board, Habeeb!
August 16th, 2023: Taylor Estelle Tuckett who has been working with Dr. Salifu as an Undergrad Researcher transitions to the position of a Graduate Research Assistant in the Salifu Lab. Taylor will be working on Fungal-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation, FICP of soils.