Rio Bonham is the 2026 recipient of the Robert E. Stewart Engineering-Humanities award for his work which integrates history and linguistics with his engineering studies and for his outreach activities, advancing the interaction between the engineering profession and the humanities in meaningful and impactful ways. As a PhD student and graduate assistant at the agricultural and biological engineering department at the University of Florida, Bonham focuses on the intersection of agricultural and biological engineering with artificial intelligence. His research involves creating research products that aim to improve environmental systems modeling. In addition to his research, he serves as a teaching assistant, where he mentors students, leads instructional sessions, and supports the broader educational mission of the department.
The Stewart Engineering-Humanities award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of the interaction of the profession and the humanities, including the arts, foreign languages, English, history, linguistics, music, philosophy, religion, or theater.
Grant Johnson is the 2026 recipient of the Roger R. and Laura M. Yoerger Preprofessional Engineer of the Year award for being an outstanding student with significant industry and research experience, involvement, and service with ASABE. Johnson is a dual-major student majoring in biological engineering with a concentration in bioprocessing and a second major in philosophy, graduating in December 2026. He currently serves as a circularity intern at North Carolina State University where he collaborates with biomanufacturing companies including Novo Nordisk, Grifols, and Novonesis to identify sustainable and economical avenues for various waste streams.
The Yoerger award acknowledges and recognizes an outstanding undergraduate engineer who has excelled scholastically and has been a leader in the local, regional and international communities as shown by their activities and offices held at each level.
Roselle Barretto is the recipient of the 2026 Pharos of Alexandria Global Learning award for his outstanding leadership, scholarship, and global engagement. Barretto is a postdoctoral researcher at the USDA Forest Service–Forest Products Laboratory, where he conducts research on protein-based wood adhesives. His work focuses on protein modification and adhesive formulation to improve wet bond performance in sustainable wood products. He collaborates with federal and industry partners to advance translational applications and contributes to grant development, research design, and technical writing. Barretto completed his PhD in biological and agricultural engineering at Kansas State University in 2025.
The Pharos of Alexandria award recognizes a student member of ASABE who has excelled and demonstrated leadership on the local, national and /or international levels as shown by their activities and offices held at each level.