Architectural engineering alumna recognized for outstanding dissertation
Sept 9, 2025
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Kathryn Hinkelman, a recent doctoral graduate in architectural engineering from Penn State, was recognized with the Godfried Augenbroe Award for her “outstanding Ph.D. thesis” by the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) at the 2025 Building Simulation Conference, held Aug. 24-27 in Brisbane, Australia.
The award honors an exceptional doctoral dissertation in the field of building performance simulation and is named in memory of the late Professor Godfried Augenbroe, a pioneer in the discipline. It is awarded biennially and includes a plaque and a $1,500 prize.
Hinkelman’s dissertation, “Modelica Modeling and Ecosystem Biomimicry of District Energy Systems,” explores novel methods for modeling and optimizing energy systems through nature-inspired approaches. Her dissertation advisor was Wangda Zuo, Penn State professor of architectural engineering and associate director for research of the Global Building Network.
Now an assistant professor at the University of Vermont, Hinkelman integrates systems modeling with ecological principles to reimagine energy infrastructures in urban environments.
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