DFI Announces Winner of the 2025 Student Paper Competition
Hawthorne, N.J. (November 10, 2025): Song Qin, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, is the winner of the DFI Educational Trust Student Paper Competition. His paper is titled “Investigation of Vibratory Hammer Installation for Deeply Embedded Ring Anchor System in Sand.”
Song presented his paper at DFI’s 50th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations in Nashville, Tennessee, October 20−23.
Song recently earned his Ph.D. in geotechnical engineering from Texas A&M University, specializing in the foundations of offshore structures. With more than five years of experience in offshore foundation engineering, his research focuses on optimizing installation methods and advancing the design of marine anchors. Passionate about foundation technology and offshore engineering, Song aims to contribute to multidisciplinary engineering practices and further the development of innovative anchoring solutions.
Saad Rehmatullah, E.I.T., Tufts University, is the recipient of a special recognition award for his paper “Use of Nondestructive Testing To Establish Installation Disturbance Zone Criteria for Adjacent Continuous Flight Auger Pile Installation on Design Build Project.”
About the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI): DFI (www.dfi.org) is an international association of contractors, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, academics and owners in the deep foundations industry. Our multidisciplinary membership creates a consensus voice and a common vision for continual improvement in the planning, design and construction of deep foundations and excavations. We bring together members for networking, education, communication and collaboration. With our members, we promote the advancement of the deep foundations industry through technical committees, educational programs and conferences, publications, research, government relations and outreach. DFI has more than 4,000 members worldwide.
