Alumnus Rao Surampalli receives ASCE OPAL award
Author: Cyclone Engineering
Cyclone Engineer Rao Surampalli (’85 PhD civil engr) has received a 2025 American Society of Civil Engineers Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Award.
“We are very proud to call Dr. Surampalli an alumnus of Iowa State University’s College of Engineering. He is a recognized engineering leader worldwide — and an inspiring example of impact for current Cyclone Engineering students and other alums. I join Rao’s colleagues in congratulating him on this prestigious and well-deserved honor,” said W. Samuel Easterling, James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of Engineering.
About Rao Surampalli:
After decades of service to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Surampalli became the president, CEO, and chief technology officer of the Global Institute for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability, which provides technical and research services to develop sustainable communities and societies.
Surampalli has combined his sustainable research activities with humanitarian outreach to develop sustainable environmental management strategies in more than 25 countries.
Surampalli has also lent his extensive expertise and service to numerous organizations, ranging from distinguished visiting professorships at eight universities to editing or serving on editorial boards of more than 10 journals and serving on over 75 national and international committees, panels, and review boards.
Surampalli’s contributions to the field of engineering have been recognized with more than 30 national honors from professional organizations, including the highest awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers, Water Environment Federation, American Academy of Environmental Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the U.S. National Academy of Construction.
From Iowa State University, Surampalli has been honored with the highest College of Engineering alumni award, the Marston Medal, in 2021, and he was inducted into the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Hall of Fame in 2022.