The Asphalt Institute Foundation is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Bill and Shireen Kirk Scholarship. The scholarships are awarded annually to third or fourth-year undergraduate, master’s or doctoral students studying civil engineering or another pavement infrastructure-focused major, with an emphasis on asphalt materials.
Scholarship funds totaling $32,902 were awarded to this group for the 2026-27 school year. Since the program’s inception in 2020, over $174,400 in scholarship funds have been awarded to students across the United States.
This year’s Kirk Scholars are:
Jeremiah Adejube, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Civil and Environmental Engineering. Adejube’s research focuses on performance-based innovations in sustainable pavement engineering, with goals to collaborate across material suppliers, transportation agencies and engineering firms to bring laboratory discoveries to real-world applications.
Isabella Madeira Bueno, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska; Civil Engineering (Ph.D.). Bueno’s research focuses on the use of waste plastics and alternative materials to improve roadway performance while reducing environmental impacts and costs. She hopes to continue her work with organizations such as the Federal Highway Administration, the Asphalt Institute or state departments of transportation.
Anneliese Jakisa, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri; Civil and Environmental Engineering. Jakisa’s research focuses on sustainable pavement materials and asphalt mix design, with an emphasis on durable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible solutions. She aspires to become a leading pavement engineer and researcher specializing in highway and airfield infrastructure.
Tyler Kleinsasser, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota; Civil Engineering and Engineering Management. Kleinsasser’s career goal is to launch his own consulting company. He is also committed to mentoring students about STEM career opportunities in his home state.
Caitlin Lien, Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, Oregon; Civil Engineering. Lien plans to begin her career as a transportation civil engineer before advancing into project management. She is also committed to inspiring the next generation of women to pursue careers in transportation engineering.
Riyadul Hashem Riyad, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; Civil Engineering (Ph.D.). Riyad conducts pavement-focused research at the National Center for Asphalt Technology, with a focus on recycled asphalt materials and technologies that improve pavement durability while reducing environmental impact.
Amarjeet Tiwari, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas; Civil Engineering. Tiwari’s career goals center on advancing asphalt materials, pavement recycling technologies and sustainable pavement practices. He also aspires to serve as a professor, combining research with mentoring future engineers.
“This year’s Kirk Scholars represent the best of what the next generation has to offer. Their dedication to advancing asphalt research and sustainable infrastructure gives us great confidence in the future of this industry,” said Asphalt Institute Foundation Executive Director Marisa Aull.
Applications for the 2027 scholarship program will be available in early January. Learn more at asphaltfoundation.org.
