CSEE alumnus recognized for contributions to public service engineering in Philadelphia

“It’s a nice reminder to reflect on the experiences I’ve received with this rewarding career path. The three years I’ve spent at the Philadelphia Water Department have flown by and it’s easy to get bogged in daily tasks that need to get done, so reflecting has been rewarding,” says Burashnikov. “It also helps me appreciate that it’s fully been a team effort up to this point, so even if it’s me receiving the award, it wouldn’t have been possible without the mentors in my life.” 

Burashnikov worked two and a half years with the Water and Sewer Design Unit at the Philadelphia Water Department, before transitioning into his current role as an engineering specialist in the Ecological Restoration Design Group. As an engineering specialist, he manages projects that provide infrastructure protection, ensure resilient streams, and generate ecological uplift. These projects work towards improving the health and function of streams in the Philadelphia region.

He said that as a child, he grew up playing with LEGO sets, and explored his surrounding landscape, that were a mix of suburban and rural nature, subconsciously weaving the relationship between engineering and nature. Following in the footsteps of his older sister who graduated from UB and his own interest of the university, Burashnikov decided to major in civil engineering where he joined the undergraduate class of 2022.

“I didn’t realize it at the time, but a lot of our built world experiences are directly influenced by civil engineers, and reflecting on it now, I’m honored to be able to contribute to this world now.” 

While attending UB, he took two courses that shaped the way he saw the environment. As part of a STEM communications course, he was assigned an essay on an engineering challenge. Through his research, Burashnikov learned about combined sewage overflows in older cities and how they can contaminate rivers, degrade ecosystems, and cause health risks to humans. In his last year, he attended a class on ecological restoration where he wrote a literary review on using fungi to filter combined sewage overflows. Through his research and experiences at UB, he discovered a passion for using civil engineering to restore and protect urban waterways. 

After graduating in 2022, Burashnikov joined the Philadelphia Water Department, where he works under a supportive supervisor who encourages him to explore creative ideas. Since joining, he has contributed to several projects, including managing stream corridor projects, supporting the department’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permitting process and partnering with watershed organizations on public education. His most recent project involves reconstructing a stormwater outfall at a site he believes could support a stormwater capture facility.

“Engineers that are committed to public service should be extremely proud of what they represent and how they can contribute to their community,” says Burashnikov. “In a world where most things are profit driven, it’s extremely valuable to have people working to improve public infrastructure. What we do is not always visible or appreciated, but is invaluable for society, which needs to be recognized.”

Currently, Burashnikov is pursuing a Master of Science in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering at Villanova University.

“Towards the end of my time at UB, I had locked in my passion for water and anticipated working in this field, but what I didn’t anticipate was how rewarding the journey would be,” says Burashnikov.