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Ahmad TakiView profile

Professor

• Building Performance and Sustainability
• Low Impact Built Environment
• Energy and Indoor Climate
• +12 more

Professor Ahmad Taki is a Professor of Building Performance and Sustainability at De Montfort University, affiliated with the Leicester School of Architecture and the Institute for Sustainable Futures. He previously served as Director of the Architecture Research Institute (2018–2024) and has played a key role in national research assessment exercises (REF). University: De Montfort University School: Leicester School of Architecture Research Group: Architecture Research Institute, Institute for Sustainable Futures His research focuses on sustainable built environments, human thermal interaction, energy efficiency, and climate-responsive design, particularly in developing countries. He has extensive expertise in passive design, building physics, and socio-cultural integration in sustainable housing. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward sustainable materials (e.g., rice husk ash, cardboard), retrofit strategies, thermal comfort in hot climates, and culturally sensitive design frameworks. His work bridges technical performance with social relevance, emphasizing affordability, well-being, and resilience. Energy Champion, COP28 Sustainability Climate Award (DMU, 2023) PVC Dean Award for Best Contribution to Research Environment (2018) Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) Chartered Fellow, Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Professor Taki has successfully supervised 27 PhD students and is currently supervising 10, demonstrating strong mentorship. He has secured numerous research grants from EPSRC, DMU, and GCRF, supporting projects on Schlieren imaging, evaporative cooling, and sustainable housing. He founded the BSc Architectural Technology and MSc Architecture and Sustainability programmes, highlighting his educational leadership. He leads research on indoor environmental quality, using advanced optical systems, and collaborates internationally on low-energy building solutions.

Farzad HashemiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Urban Climate
• Heat Islands
• Building Energy Performance
• +5 more

Farzad Hashemi serves as an Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture + Planning within The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), affiliated with the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design. He leads the Climate-Sensitive Design Lab (CSDL), focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of urban climate science, building performance, and environmental justice. Education: Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University Dr. Hashemi's research investigates urban heat island phenomena, building energy dynamics, and socio-spatial inequities in thermal exposure. His work employs advanced simulation techniques including GIS, ENVI-met, CFD, and machine learning to analyze climate impacts across diverse urban contexts. Key contributions include examining historical redlining's legacy on contemporary heat distribution, developing parametric workflows for energy modeling, and creating data-driven mitigation strategies for urban heat. His approach integrates technical building science with critical social analysis to address climate vulnerabilities in marginalized communities. His publication portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on urban heat mitigation, building energy performance, and environmental justice across multiple U.S. cities. Recent work emphasizes adaptive cooling strategies through computational modeling and examines thermal inequities through spatial analysis of social vulnerability indices. The research bridges technical climate modeling with socio-political dimensions of urban heat exposure. Honors and Awards: The 2024 ARCC Dissertation Award As director of the Climate-Sensitive Design Lab, Dr. Hashemi develops research initiatives that combine environmental simulation with community-focused design solutions. The lab's work informs both academic discourse and practical urban planning applications, particularly regarding climate adaptation in rapidly growing Sun Belt cities like San Antonio. Current projects integrate tree canopy data, occupancy patterns, and future climate scenarios to create resilient urban environments.

David LangeView profile

Associate Professor

• Fire Safety Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Risk Analysis
• +3 more

Associate Professor David Lange serves as Deputy Director of Higher Degree by Research at the School of Civil Engineering , University of Queensland . With academic qualifications from the University of Edinburgh (PhD and MSc), he specializes in fire safety engineering and structural engineering , focusing on timber buildings, lithium-ion battery fire safety, and risk analysis techniques. Chartered Engineer (CPEng), Fellow of Engineers Australia (FIEAust) Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) APEC Engineer and International Professional Engineer (IntPE) His research explores fire behavior in mass timber structures , vertical fire spread , and infrastructure resilience . Publications highlight his expertise in probabilistic modeling, fire dynamics, and structural response to extreme conditions. Recent collaborative studies examine flame spread in ventilated façades, compartment fire behavior, and risk evaluation frameworks. He actively supervises PhD projects in areas like fire safety of low-carbon concrete, diagrid structures, and physics-informed machine learning for fire modeling.

Andreas K AthienitisView profile

Professor

• Solar Energy Engineering
• Energy Efficiency
• Building Simulation and Optimization
• +6 more

Andreas K Athienitis is a Professor at Concordia University in the Department of Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering. He serves as Director of the Centre for Zero Energy Building Studies and has held prestigious roles including NSERC/Hydro Québec Industrial Research Chair (2006-2024) and Scientific Director of two NSERC strategic networks. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Waterloo, 1985), B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (University of New Brunswick, 1981) Honors: Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, ASHRAE, and IBPSA His research focuses on energy-efficient buildings, solar energy integration, and predictive control systems. Key projects include Canada’s first net-zero energy institutional building (Varennes Library) and innovative BIPV/T systems. He has developed internationally unique facilities like the Solar Simulator and Environmental Chamber. Recent publications emphasize energy flexibility, predictive control, and renewable integration. His work bridges theoretical modeling with experimental validation, targeting climate resilience and decarbonization. Scientific Awards: Concordia Research Award (2010) NSERC-ADRIQ Celebrate Partnerships Award (2012) Willis H. Carrier Best Paper Award (1991) Multiple Fellowships and Scholarships Grants: Over $30M as P.I., including $123M CFREF grant (2022-2023)

Dorota ChwiedukView profile

Professor

• Solar Energy
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Building Energy Efficiency
• +11 more

Professor Dorota Chwieduk is a distinguished faculty member at the Division of Refrigeration and Energy in Buildings within the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology. She serves as Deputy Director of the Institute of Heating Engineering and heads the Post Diploma Study program on Energy Efficient Buildings, Energy Characteristics of Buildings, Energy Auditing and Thermal Refurbishment. With a career spanning decades, Professor Chwieduk has established herself as a leading expert in solar energy applications and building energy efficiency. Her research focuses on unconventional energy conversion methods, solar technologies, heat transfer in buildings, renewable energy systems integration, thermal energy storage (including phase change materials), and energy performance assessment. She has published extensively in these fields, with numerous high-impact journal articles and book contributions. Solar Energy in Buildings: Thermal Balance for Efficient Heating and Cooling (Elsevier, 2014) Multiple publications on PV/T systems, building-integrated solar technologies, and thermal energy storage Research on high latitude building design and energy performance Professor Chwieduk's work demonstrates consistent focus on practical applications of renewable energy technologies in building systems, with particular attention to climate-specific design considerations and energy optimization. Her research bridges theoretical modeling with practical implementation, contributing significantly to advancing sustainable building technologies. Scientific Awards: Gold Medal from President of Republic of Poland for Long Service for the Country (2013) Best Scientific Achievements award from Rector of Warsaw University of Technology (2012) Pioneer of Renewable Energy award by World Renewable Energy Network (2008) Promoter of Renewable Energy award by Clean Energy magazine (2006) Throughout her career, Professor Chwieduk has actively contributed to national and international energy policy development, serving on numerous expert committees and leading significant research projects focused on renewable energy integration and building energy efficiency. Her work has influenced both academic research and practical implementation of sustainable building technologies in Poland and internationally.

• High-Performance Buildings
• Net-Zero Energy Systems
• Building Thermal Modeling
• +5 more

Yuxiang Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on high-performance buildings, net-zero energy systems, and sustainable construction practices. He integrates advanced modeling techniques, renewable energy solutions, and intelligent design strategies to optimize building performance in cold climates. PhD, Building Engineering (2013), Concordia University MASc, Building Engineering (2008), Concordia University BEng, Building Engineering (2006), Concordia University Dr. Chen’s work emphasizes modular construction, thermal energy storage, and data-driven modeling for building systems. He explores the use of robotics in construction, thermal resistance of masonry walls, and energy-efficient community greenhouses tailored for cold regions. His recent publications highlight trends in building thermal dynamics, with a focus on resistor-capacitor (RC) models, hybrid heating systems, and snow accumulation impacts on solar panels. He also contributes to cold-climate energy management and smart home integration.

• Advanced Building Envelopes
• Building Energy Performance
• Experimental Facilities
• +7 more

Valentina Serra is a Full Professor at the Department of Energy (DENERG), Polytechnic University of Turin, and a member of the Future Urban Legacy Lab (FULL Center). She specializes in advanced building envelopes , energy performance , and indoor environmental quality , with a focus on experimental facilities and sustainable materials. Research Interests: Adaptive façades, PCM integration, thermochromic coatings, and acoustic absorption using natural waste materials. Projects: Scientific Director for EU-funded Wall-ACE (2016–2019), PRIN (2019–2021), and regional research initiatives like GRE_EN_S (2010–2012). Awards: Member of the Energy and Buildings editorial board since 2019, Program Chair for SEB-16, and organizer for IBPC 2015. Teaching: Course Lecturer for Eco-Friendly Architectural Design B at Politecnico di Torino since 2021. Students: Supervises PhD candidates like Ramona Russo and Giorgia Autretto, focusing on occupant-centric design and PCM-based systems. Patents: Co-inventor of the national patent NBT - Not Bed Technology .

Kaiwen ChenView profile

Assistant Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Vision
• Deep Learning
• +6 more

Dr. Kaiwen Chen serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at The University of Alabama's College of Engineering, where she is affiliated with the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure. Her research integrates drone robotics, sensor technologies, and Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize building diagnostics and performance simulation. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2020) M.Sc. in Management in Science and Technology from Southeast University (2016) B.S. in Construction Project Management from Southeast University (2013) Dr. Chen's research program focuses on innovations in the AECO field, with core expertise in drone-based imaging systems, 2D/3D data processing, infrared thermography, high-performance computing, and building energy modeling. Her work bridges advanced computational techniques with practical infrastructure challenges, particularly in building envelope diagnostics and pavement inspection. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals dual research thrusts: primary focus on AI-driven construction applications (digital twins, thermal anomaly detection, UAV-based surveys) and significant contributions to wireless power transfer systems. This interdisciplinary scope demonstrates exceptional versatility in applying cutting-edge computational methods to both civil infrastructure and electrical engineering challenges. Her scientific recognition includes: Runner-Up for 5th Annual ASCE VIMS Datathon Competition (2024) Virginia Tech Outstanding Dissertation Award (2020) ASCE i3CE Best Paper Award (2019) Dr. Chen leads externally funded research initiatives including a US Department of Energy project on aerial intelligence for building envelope diagnostics and a Georgia Department of Transportation project on drone-assisted pavement inspection. These grants demonstrate her ability to secure competitive funding for high-impact infrastructure research. As an active contributor to the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, she advances research in sustainable infrastructure systems through the integration of drone technologies, AI analytics, and digital twin methodologies for comprehensive infrastructure assessment and management.

• Structural Engineering
• Architectural Science
• Building Energy Management
• +3 more

Professor Gianluca Ranzi is a Professor in the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney, serving as Chairman of the Centre for Advanced Structural Engineering. His expertise spans structural engineering, architectural science, and heritage conservation, with a focus on sustainable building technologies. He leads research on composite materials, energy-efficient structures, and the mitigation of urban heat islands. Research Interests: His work addresses the behavior of concrete and composite steel-concrete structures, building energy management systems, and heritage conservation strategies for twentieth-century concrete structures. He develops adaptive systems to enhance indoor comfort and building functionality while reducing energy consumption. Publications: Ranzi has authored/edited key texts including Design of Prestressed Concrete to Eurocode 2 (2017) and Structural Analysis: Principles, Methods and Modelling (2015). His recent articles explore topics like lithium slag composites, P2P energy trading, and dynamic characterization of historic structures. Teaching: He teaches courses such as CIVL3511/CIVL9511 (Basics of Integrated Building Engineering) and CIVL5531 (Advanced Integrated Building Engineering). Supervises PhD/Master's students on projects like composite brick-concrete construction and crack control in shotcrete linings. Affiliations: Member of Standards Australia committees (BD-002, BD-032), American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE).

Jialai WangView profile

Professor

• Sustainable Infrastructure
• Advanced Construction Materials
• Structural Engineering
• +7 more

Dr. Jialai Wang is a Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at The University of Alabama, College of Engineering. His research is affiliated with the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, where he leads innovative projects in material science for resilient and sustainable civil systems. Ph.D., Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering and Advanced Materials), University of Akron, 2003 M.S., Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, 1996 B.S., Civil Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, 1993 Dr. Wang's research focuses on material innovations to enhance infrastructure resilience and sustainability. Key areas include synthesis of low-clinker and non-clinker construction materials, fiber-reinforced polymer composites, in-situ nanoparticle production, and adaptive building envelopes for multi-hazard mitigation and energy efficiency. His work integrates sustainability with high-performance material design. The recent publications highlight a strong trend toward green and sustainable construction technologies , particularly utilizing industrial byproducts (e.g., cenospheres), recycled aggregates, and carbon dioxide as functional components in concrete. Keywords across these works include sustainable materials, carbon utilization, internal curing, and waste upcycling, reflecting a cohesive research vision centered on environmental impact reduction and resource efficiency in civil infrastructure. Scientific Awards: Fellow, Scialog: Sustainable Minerals, Metals and Materials (2024) Best Paper Award, CICE 2016, Hong Kong Outstanding Paper Award, SCMT4, Las Vegas (2016) ASCE ExCEEd Teaching Fellow (2010) Dr. Wang has secured significant research funding from NSF, NASA, and DOE , including a $6 million NSF EPSCoR grant on transforming waste into economic assets and a $2.75 million project scaling CO₂-based concrete strengthening. He has advised graduate students, including NASA fellowship recipient Will Guin, and holds U.S. patent applications in microencapsulation and renewable admixtures. His research directly contributes to climate resilience, STEM education, and industrial innovation. Dr. Wang is actively involved in the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure , where his lab develops novel technologies for upcycling agricultural and industrial waste into high-value construction materials, promoting circular economy principles in civil engineering.

Cameron MurrayView profile

Associate Professor

• Concrete Technology
• Alternative Cements
• Prestressed Concrete
• +6 more

Cameron Murray is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas. He specializes in concrete research with a focus on alternative cement technologies, particularly belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement, and prestressed concrete structures. Dr. Murray directs a research group that investigates rapid-setting concrete materials for infrastructure repair and bridge engineering applications. His work bridges fundamental material science with practical engineering solutions for transportation infrastructure. Dr. Murray's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma (2017) M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas (2014) B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas (2012) Dr. Murray's research focuses on innovative concrete technologies with particular emphasis on alternative cementitious materials that offer environmental benefits and rapid-setting properties. His work explores the structural applications of belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement for infrastructure repair, prestressed concrete systems, and bridge engineering. He investigates material properties, durability mechanisms, and structural performance to develop practical solutions for transportation infrastructure challenges. His research addresses critical issues such as early-age concrete behavior, corrosion resistance, and sustainable construction practices that reduce carbon emissions in the concrete industry. Analysis of Dr. Murray's recent publications reveals a strong focus on alternative cement technologies, particularly belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement and its structural applications. His work spans material characterization, structural performance testing, and practical implementation in transportation infrastructure. Key research themes include rapid-setting concrete for infrastructure repair, prestressed concrete behavior, and sustainable concrete technologies with reduced carbon footprints. His publications demonstrate a progression from fundamental material studies to applied research addressing real-world infrastructure challenges, particularly in bridge engineering and rapid repair applications. Dr. Murray has received significant recognition for his teaching and research contributions: Department's outstanding teacher award (three times) College of Engineering Rising Teacher Award (2022-23) ACI Walter P Moore, Jr. Faculty Achievement Award (2022) Dr. Murray has successfully mentored numerous graduate students through their research projects, with a particular focus on concrete technology and structural engineering applications. His research group has secured substantial external funding totaling $6.2 million as PI or Co-PI, with additional $650,000 in equipment donations. Current funding sources include state DOTs, concrete industry groups, private industry, and federal agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers. His projects address critical infrastructure needs including rapid bridge deployment systems, alternative cement technologies, and concrete durability solutions. Dr. Murray directs the Concrete Research Laboratory at the University of Arkansas, located at the Grady Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC). The laboratory features a 20,000 sq. ft. high-bay testing area with a 100 ft. by 40 ft. strong floor, capable of handling large-scale structural testing. The facility includes specialized equipment for concrete material characterization, structural testing of reinforced and prestressed concrete members, and environmental monitoring systems. His research team collaborates with industry partners including Coreslab Structures and government agencies to address practical infrastructure challenges.

• Sustainable Architecture
• Urban Sustainability
• Climate Emergency Practices
• +7 more

Dr. Karam Al-Obaidi is a Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Architecture at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU), where he teaches on Architecture and Architectural Technology courses. Previously, he served as Senior Lecturer and Head of the Research Unit for Design and Sustainable Architecture at the University of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur). His academic roles include PhD supervision and research consultancy. He holds a PhD in Sustainable Architecture from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and has taught at universities in Malaysia, Mexico, China, and the UK. His interdisciplinary research focuses on environmental technology, decarbonisation, and climate emergency practices in the built environment, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 11, and 12. Key research areas include smart cities, IoT integration, digital twins, and energy-efficient building technologies. Dr. Al-Obaidi has led research projects totaling over £100,000 and published widely in top-tier journals. He is an active reviewer for over 50 journals and serves on editorial boards. His work emphasizes sustainable retrofitting, net-zero buildings, and urban microclimate strategies. Awards: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT) Grants & Leadership: Over £100,000 in research funding Former Head of Research Unit at University of Malaya His research group explores cutting-edge technologies like fiber-optic daylighting systems, hybrid turbine ventilators, and algae-based indoor environment solutions. He collaborates globally, addressing challenges in affordable housing, water harvesting, and climate-resilient urban design.

John GalesView profile

Associate Professor

• Structural fire resilience
• Timber structures
• Human behavior in emergencies
• +3 more

John Gales is an Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at York University, leading research on structural fire resilience and human evacuation dynamics. His work integrates fire science, materials engineering, and behavioral studies to enhance building safety in contexts ranging from urban infrastructure to wildfire zones. His recent publications analyze structural performance in fires, wildfire building codes, and applications of AI in fire safety engineering. Research consistently addresses equity considerations, particularly gender diversity in engineering education.

Kyle KonisView profile

Associate Professor

• Building Science
• Sustainable Architecture
• Occupant-Centric Design
• +4 more

Kyle Konis is an Associate Professor of Architecture and Director of the Chase L. Leavitt Master of Building Science Program at the University of Southern California's School of Architecture. He holds a Ph.D. in Architecture (Building Science) from UC Berkeley, an M.Arch from Yale University, and a B.A. in Architectural Studies from the University of Washington. His research focuses on aligning building performance with human needs through participatory evaluation techniques, data-driven design tools, and evidence-based practices in sustainability and healthcare environments. Prof. Konis has led six externally funded research projects, including grants from the AIA Upjohn Initiative and California Energy Commission. His work emphasizes occupant-centric design, with notable contributions to daylighting strategies, circadian lighting in dementia care facilities, and energy-efficient building systems. He is a licensed architect in Washington and California. Education: B.A. Architectural Studies, University of Washington M.Arch, Yale University Ph.D., Architecture (Building Science), UC Berkeley His research interests include sustainable building practices, occupant well-being, and the application of technology to improve design outcomes. Notable projects include studies on thermal comfort databases, participatory sensing frameworks (TrojanSense), and circadian design tools. He has authored or co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and a Springer-published book on daylighting. Awards: 2016 ARCC New Researcher Award 2015 ACSA New Faculty Teaching Award 2015 ACSA Housing Design Education Award 2015 BTES Emerging Faculty Award Prof. Konis teaches courses on architectural sustainability, environmental systems, and interactive computing in design. His lab integrates real-world data collection with computational modeling to bridge gaps between design intent and building performance. Ongoing work explores climate-responsive interventions for at-risk communities and the role of lighting in mental health contexts.

Yong Kang ChenView profile

Professor

• Applied Mechanics
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Energy Storage
• +6 more

Professor Yong Kang Chen is a Professor of Applied Mechanics at the University of Hertfordshire, where he leads the Energy and Sustainable Design research group and serves as Head of the Automotive, Mechanical and Mechatronic Division in the School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science. He holds a PhD, MSc, and BEng, and is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with fellowships from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE) and Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His research focuses on applied mechanics with specialized interests in renewable energy systems, computational fluid dynamics, nanomaterials, and structural integrity. Key research themes include: Energy storage systems and flywheel technology optimization Phase change materials for building efficiency Wind turbine design for urban environments Surface engineering of polymer nano-composites Nano-fluid applications in thermal systems His publication portfolio demonstrates strong emphasis on sustainable energy solutions, with recent work exploring wind turbine shroud systems, PCM-enhanced building materials, and flywheel energy storage optimization. Nanomaterial research constitutes a significant secondary focus, particularly carbon quantum dots for optoelectronic applications. Honors include: Fellow of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) He has secured over £1.3 million in research funding from EPSRC, Innovate UK, EU FP7 programs, and industrial partnerships. Notable projects include leadership roles in EU MAAT and SHELL consortiums, thermal analysis for Global Invacom Ltd, and development of structural health monitoring for wind turbine blades. He leads multiple active laboratories focusing on energy systems and advanced materials characterization.