UNT researchers are working to create walls that stand up to natural disasters, in hopes of saving homes and lives.

College of Engineering graduate student Xing Lan is working under Cheng Yu, professor of engineering technology, to determine whether new shear walls made of cold-formed steel withstand extreme winds and movement caused by earthquakes.

"In my last year as an undergraduate, I developed an interest in cold-formed steel," says Lan, an international student from China. "I started researching and quickly found out about Dr. Yu. I specifically applied to this program because of his impressive work. He is a great mentor and I am really lucky that I get to do this research."