Daniel Castaneda

Dr. Daniel Castaneda is an Associate Professor and Program Director in the Department of Engineering at James Madison University (JMU), within the College of Integrated Science & Engineering. He holds a Ph.D., M.S.C.E., and B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of California, Berkeley. His primary roles include advancing engineering education, curriculum development, and fostering inclusive research practices.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (2016), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • M.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering (2011), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • B.S. in Civil Engineering (2008), University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Castaneda’s research focuses on sustainable infrastructure materials, diversity in engineering education, and citizen science initiatives. His work emphasizes culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) to address societal inequities and environmental sustainability. Key projects include exploring bio-fiber reinforced concrete, respiratory risks in lab environments, and drought-resilient acrylic concrete.

His recent articles highlight topics such as entrepreneurial mindset in engineering, cultural wealth mobilization in participatory projects, and pandemic-era educational adaptations. He leads NSF-funded initiatives like the CRP-infused mechanics curriculum and citizen science-driven rainwater harvesting systems.

• Awards:
  • ACI 2020 Wason Medal for Most Meritorious Paper Award

Dr. Castaneda advises the JMU ASCE Student Chapter and Hispanics in STEM (H-STEM). He mentors undergraduate research teams on projects like 3D-printed concrete molds and respirable silica exposure studies. His teaching philosophy integrates engineering as a sociotechnical practice, emphasizing global and social impacts.

Grant contributions include roles as PI/Co-PI on NSF and ASU grants, totaling over $1M in funding. He actively collaborates with institutions like the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Colorado Boulder.