UH College of Engineering students receive ARCS awards

Two UH Mānoa College of Engineering students have received ARCS Awards in Engineering for research advancing water security and autonomous underwater technology.

Erik C. Hoffnagle, a civil and environmental engineering student advised by Dr. Tao Yan, received the Bretzlaff Foundation ARCS Award in Engineering. His research focuses on detecting saltwater leaks in coastal sewer systems using inexpensive, easy-to-deploy autonomous floating sensors paired with numerical models. The work could help utilities locate leaks faster, make cost-effective repairs, and support expanded reuse of treated wastewater.

Patrick J. Ng, a mechanical engineering student advised by Dr. Michael Krieg, received the Frederick M. Kresser Memorial ARCS Award in Engineering. Ng is developing custom firmware for autonomous underwater vehicles in Hawaiʻi, applying theoretical control methods to real-world robotic systems. His work could support fisheries monitoring, rescue missions, reconnaissance, and other undersea operations.

Together, their projects highlight student research with direct relevance to Hawaiʻi’s water infrastructure, marine environment, and engineering future.