Kristen Derewecki is a Master’s of Science candidate at the School of Engineering at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Kristen’s graduate thesis is on developing specifications to use the 4 mm Dynamics Shear Rheometer (DSR) parallel plates to performance grade asphalt binders. Additionally, she is attempting to relate the results of other existing binder tests to the results obtained using the 4 mm parallel plates. In doing so she hopes to reduce the amount of material needed for forensic testing of binders, maintaining the integrity of the roads as well as reducing the amount of solvents needed to extract binder from asphalt samples, which will make the process on the whole less expensive and more environmentally friendly.

She is also active in the Rutgers community as Bunting--Cobb Graduate Mentor for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, where she fosters the academic, professional and personal development of the residents through regular interactions, programming, and mentoring sessions. She also volunteers her time as a coach for the Rutgers Women’s Rugby Club.

In recognition of her outstanding academic performance, the technical merit of her research topic, and her service to the university community, the UTRC Region II is pleased to select Kristen Derewecki as its 2011 Outstanding Student of the Year.