At the 2024 CEE graduation ceremony, Victor Yamada (BSCE ’67, MSCE ’68) was honored with the CEE Distinguished Alumni Award. As one of the first CEE students to focus on air quality in civil engineering, Yamada went on to a career in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in the private sector, shaping air quality regulations and environmental policy in the U.S. and abroad.

Now retired, Yamada continues to make an impact through volunteering, focusing on preserving Japanese American history, a cause rooted in his family's experiences during World War II. We asked Yamada about his career in environmental engineering and his ongoing efforts to document and educate others about an important chapter in U.S. history.

What inspired you to pursue environmental engineering at the UW?

I always enjoyed math and science in high school, so engineering seemed like a natural fit. My interest in environmental engineering didn’t develop until my senior year, when I took some environmental-focused courses. At the time, there was a new master’s program in environmental engineering in CEE, so I decided to continue my studies. I ended up 
focusing on air quality because a couple of professors I worked with had expertise in that area.

How did your time in CEE shape your career?

Coming from a small farming community, adjusting to the UW’s large campus and rigorous coursework was a big challenge. I struggled during my first year, but I had a professor who reassured me to keep at it, and that encouragement made a big difference. Without that support, I might have decided the program was too tough and dropped out.

One of the faculty members at the time, Professor August Rossano, helped me secure a traineeship with the U.S. Public Health Service, a federal program dedicated to improving public health through research and service. This traineeship not only funded my master’s studies but also provided critical financial support. At the time, the U.S. Public Health Service was actively recruiting engineers for environmental roles, which led directly to my first job working for the federal government.

What was it like being part of the newly formed EPA?

I joined the EPA in 1970 when it was first established. My work initially focused on addressing local air quality problems, like odors from a rendering plant in Maryland or pollution from a copper smelter in Idaho. These were one-off issues that needed to be managed at the community level.

As new federal laws like the Clean Air Act were passed, I transitioned to working on state air quality control plans. I worked in the Chicago office, helping Midwestern states develop their first statewide air quality programs. It was exciting to be part of something foundational, though at the time, I didn’t fully realize the significance of the environmental movement.

How did your career evolve after your time at the EPA?

After several years at the EPA, I moved to the private sector and eventually to California. I worked on a wide range of projects, from hazardous materials management to renewable energy. One highlight was helping secure environmental approval for an offshore wind farm in Wales. I also contributed to California’s pioneering climate change regulations, which have since influenced national policy.

Over time, I became more of a generalist, working on everything from environmental impact assessments to water resources and waste management. Each project was an opportunity to learn about new technologies and approaches.

How did your family history lead to your current volunteer work?

My parents and grandparents were deeply affected by the Japanese American incarceration during World War II. Before the war, my family lived in Seattle, where my maternal grandparents ran hotels in the International District, and my father worked in Kent, helping Japanese American farmers transport produce to Pike Place Market.

During the war, my maternal grandmother and uncles were sent to Minidoka Internment Camp in Idaho, while my parents relocated to eastern Oregon under a government “voluntary evacuation” program. Growing up, I didn’t ask many questions about it, so I didn’t fully understand its impact until much later in life.

After retiring and moving to New Mexico, I joined the Japanese American Citizens League and became involved in the "Confinement in the Land of Enchantment" project. It’s been deeply rewarding to reconnect with my heritage and share this part of history, which many people don’t know about.

What is the focus of your work with the “Confinement in the Land of Enchantment” project?

The project documents the history of Japanese Americans incarcerated in New Mexico during World War II — a lesser-known chapter of the national story. We’ve installed historic markers, created educational materials, developed a website and compiled a roster of prisoners. I also lead talks and presentations to educate others about this history.

One of the challenges is that many people still don’t know much about this chapter of American history, even after years of outreach. But that’s also what makes the work so important — it should be part of our national history curriculum. It’s a sad chapter, but it’s part of the American story.

What advice do you have for current CEE students?

Stay curious and embrace opportunities. Civil and environmental engineering offers the chance to work on projects that directly improve people’s lives. Whether you’re tackling air quality, renewable energy or infrastructure challenges, you have the potential to make a meaningful impact.