Engineering Professor Earns Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award

The American Society of Civil Engineers has awarded civil and environmental engineering Professor Siddaiah Yarra the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award for Region 9.

The ASCE San Francisco Section Individual Awards aim to recognizepeople outstanding achievements or leadership in civil engineering, or who, through their work, support and advance the civil engineering profession.

Yarra was chosen in recognition of his exceptional mentorship, leadership and dedication to student success, said Professor Marc Buetel, chair of the Department of Civil Engineering at UC Merced.

"Since joining UC Merced in 2020, he has played a pivotal role in establishing the civil engineering program, guiding students in professional development, and strengthening connections between academia and the civil engineering community," Buetel said.

The recognition is deeply meaningful, Yarra said.

"It reflects not only my dedication to advancing civil engineering education but also the collective spirit of our students and colleagues who work tirelessly to grow our program and profession," he said. "This recognition also highlights our efforts in establishing and growing the ASCE student chapter, which has strengthened our program and provided students with valuable opportunities for professional development, leadership and networking.

"This honor reinforces my belief that mentorship, collaboration and service are at the heart of shaping the next generation of engineers."

Yarra was recognized at the 2025 ASCE San Francisco Section Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner in October. In addition, Yarra was named the recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award from the ASCE Fresno Branch. He was honored at the Fresno Branch awards ceremony in September.