Find Academic Supervisors

• Food Engineering
• Thermal Engineering
• Biophysics
• +3 more

Thijs Defraeye is a Senior Scientist at Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University. He holds a PhD in Building Physics from KU Leuven (2011) and a Master's in Civil Engineering (2006). His work focuses on optimizing food supply chains through multiphysics simulations and digital twins, addressing challenges in refrigerated transport, postharvest quality preservation, and energy-efficient food processing. He leads the SimBioSys group, developing solutions for perishable goods logistics and electrohydrodynamic technologies. Research interests include: Biophysics of food systems Digital twin applications in agriculture Electrohydrodynamic drying Thermal management in cold chains Sustainable food technologies Recent work emphasizes reducing food loss through physics-based modeling of refrigerated containers, ventilated packaging optimization, and scalable evaporative cooling systems. His studies bridge engineering principles with biological processes, aiming to enhance global food security and environmental sustainability.

Seth BernardView profile

Professor

• Ancient History
• Roman Archaeology
• Social and Economic History
• +4 more

Seth Bernard is a Professor of Classics at the University of Toronto, specializing in Roman social and economic history, Roman archaeology, and the application of scientific methods to historical studies. He holds a PhD in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania and has been affiliated with institutions such as the American School for Classical Studies at Athens and the American Academy in Rome. His research integrates archaeology, anthropology, and environmental science to explore pre-Imperial and Republican Italy, focusing on labor, urbanization, and historical culture. Education includes a BA in Classics from Amherst College and a PhD in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania. He has led major projects like the Falerii Novi excavation in Italy, investigating Roman urbanism and environmental history. His work has been supported by grants from SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council), including a Connection Grant and an Insight Grant. Research interests include the economic foundations of Roman imperialism, climate history, and the role of slavery in ancient economies. Notable publications include Building Mid-Republican Rome (2018), Historical Culture in Iron Age Italy (2023), and co-edited volumes on the Middle Republic and Greco-Roman economic models. He serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Roman Archaeology and editorial board member of the Journal of Roman Studies . Awards include the Rome Prize Fellowship (American Academy in Rome) and recognition for interdisciplinary research. Current projects include the Oxford Handbook of the Iron Age Mediterranean and studies on labor and the Roman economy.

Yves Marc RäthView profile

Researcher

• Urban Morphology
• Settlement Development
• Geospatial Analysis
• +3 more

Yves Marc Räth is a Ph.D. researcher at the ETH Zürich within the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG). His work intersects urban morphology, historical settlement analysis, and network modeling. Education: MSc in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems (2018-2020), BSc in Geography (2015-2018) at University of Zurich Research focuses on urbanization patterns , settlement network evolution , and geospatial time series analysis . Key projects include the EMPHASES study on socio-ecological systems and HistoRiCH research on historical river landscapes. Recent publications analyze settlement archetypes through ResearchGate projects, with a 2025 Cities journal article identifying five distinct urban development pathways on the Swiss Plateau since 1899. His 2023 Scientific Reports study examines morphological homogeneity in small settlements near urban centers. Current affiliations include: Ph.D. Researcher at Institute for Spatial and Landscape Development Visiting Scholar at Urban Systems Lab, New York City (2024) Contributor to Swiss transport planning at INFRAS and EBP Technical expertise spans: Historical map digitization Building footprint analysis Commuter flow modeling Predictive urban archetypes

Domniki AsimakiView profile

Professor

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Seismology
• Structural Dynamics
• +6 more

Domniki Asimaki is a Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), part of the Division of Engineering and Applied Science. Her research focuses on geotechnical engineering, computational mechanics, and structural dynamics, with an emphasis on understanding ground motion effects on natural and engineered systems such as dams, tunnels, and urban infrastructure. She holds a Dipl. from the National Technical University of Athens (1998), an M.S. (2000) and Ph.D. (2004) from MIT, joining Caltech in 2014. Key research interests include soil dynamics, wave propagation, regional ground deformation, and soil-foundation-structure interaction. She has pioneered data-driven approaches to integrate numerical simulations with field observations for resilient infrastructure design. Notable achievements include developing the open-source Seismo-VLAB software for seismic analysis and receiving prestigious awards like the Bodossaki Award of Scientific Excellence and the Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering Award. Her work addresses seismic hazards at urban and regional scales, with recent studies on the 2023 Türkiye earthquake, the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake, and Kathmandu Basin dynamics. She leads initiatives to enhance ground motion prediction, landslide hazard assessment, and infrastructure resilience through advanced modeling and AI-driven methods. Education: Dipl., National Technical University of Athens, 1998 M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2000 Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004 Awards: Bodossaki Award of Scientific Excellence Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering Award Labs/Teams: Leads research groups focusing on seismic hazard modeling, open-source software development, and geotechnical data assimilation techniques.

• Risk Management
• Resilience Engineering
• Infrastructure Systems
• +4 more

Professor Atula Abeysekera is a Professor of Practice in Risk Management at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London. He holds Honorary Fellow status of the Royal Academy of Engineering and advises government bodies on risk strategies. His career spans 40+ years in global engineering (Mott MacDonald) and financial institutions (Morgan Stanley, Schroders). Education: Graduate of Imperial College London’s Civil Engineering Department. Affiliations include visiting professorship at Universidad de Navarra (Spain), advisory roles at the Institution of Civil Engineers, and membership in the Worshipful Company of International Bankers. He chairs the UK Government’s Industry Steering Group for building safety post-Grenfell and advises on risk culture improvements. Research focuses on extreme risk management, systems resilience, and infrastructure safety. Notable contributions include work on 'Black Swan' risks (unpredictable high-impact events) and innovative funding models for flood defenses. His 2015 book What’s the small idea? explores risk culture in government. Scientific Recognition: Freedom of the City of London (2017), Fellowship by HRH Princess Royal Advisory Roles: Non-Executive Director (Institution of Civil Engineers), Board Member (City & Guilds College Association) Labs/Teams: Active in Imperial’s Centre for Systems Engineering and Innovation. Leads interdisciplinary projects combining engineering, finance, and policy to address systemic risks.

Min LiuView profile

Professor

• Lean Construction
• Digital Twin Design
• Data Mining
• +5 more

Dr. Min Liu is a Professor and the Abdallah H. Yabroudi Endowed Professor in Sustainable Civil Infrastructure at Syracuse University, where she directs the Syracuse University Infrastructure Institute. She holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Project Management from UC Berkeley, and prior degrees from National University of Singapore and Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. Her research focuses on integrating human and engineering aspects in construction planning, with emphasis on Lean Construction, Digital Twin design, and machine learning applications. She has published over 50 articles in top-tier journals and won prestigious awards such as the 2021 ASCE Thomas Fitch Rowland Award. Dr. Liu advises numerous graduate students and postdocs, offering positions in Construction Engineering and Management. Her lab develops innovative approaches for infrastructure project delivery, worker mental health, and bridge preservation strategies. Education: Ph.D. in Engineering Project Management, UC Berkeley (2007) MSCE, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (1997) MSc in Building Science, National University of Singapore (2001) BSc in Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology (1994) Research Highlights: Large language models for construction planning reliability Ontology-based knowledge systems for construction methods Lean techniques for worker mental health improvement Socioeconomic analysis of bridge preservation strategies Awards: 2021 ASCE Thomas Fitch Rowland Award Multiple Best Paper Awards (2017-2018) "Thank a Teacher" awards (2011-2018) Her advising record includes notable students like Chuanni He (2023 Chinese Government Award) and Gongfan Chen (2022 Three-Minute Thesis Award). Current opportunities include Ph.D. financial support and postdoc positions. Dr. Liu’s work appears in journals like ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering and Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management.

Uta PottgiesserView profile

Professor

• Architectural Heritage
• Building and Façade Construction
• Interior Architecture
• +5 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uta Pottgiesser is a Professor of Heritage & Technology at the Department of Architectural Engineering + Technology, Delft University of Technology. Her research focuses on the technical aspects of architectural heritage, emphasizing sustainable reuse of historical buildings through innovative concepts and products. She holds a PhD from TU Dresden and has held leadership roles at institutions like the Detmold School of Architecture and the University of Antwerp. Her work bridges architecture, engineering, and interior design to enhance user well-being and environmental sustainability. Education: PhD in Architecture (2002), TU Dresden Architecture studies, TU Berlin Research Interests: Combining technical and cultural dimensions of architectural heritage, including facade construction, building conservation, energy efficiency, and adaptive reuse of modernist structures. She explores how digital technologies and bio-inspired solutions can address heritage risks and urban sustainability challenges. Professional Activities: Vice-Chair of DOCOMOMO Germany Chair of DOCOMOMO ISC/T (Technology) Editorial roles in journals (e.g., JFDE, JID) Organizer of international conferences and architectural competitions Recent Articles: Focus on occupant satisfaction in office spaces, digital tools for heritage risk management, and green infrastructure's health impacts. Her work often integrates interdisciplinary approaches to urban sustainability and cultural preservation.

• Fluid Mechanics
• Environmental Fluid Dynamics
• Industrial Fluid Dynamics
• +3 more

Professor Steven Armfield is a faculty member at the University of Sydney's School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. He holds a BSc in Applied Mathematics from Flinders University and a PhD from the University of Sydney. His research focuses on fluid mechanics, particularly buoyancy-driven flows, computational modeling, and thermal convection in environmental and industrial contexts. He has led major projects on river management strategies, building ventilation systems, and large-scale fluid dynamics models. As FluD Director, he leads fluid dynamics research initiatives. Education: BSc Applied Mathematics, Flinders University PhD, University of Sydney Research Interests: Professor Armfield's work spans computational fluid dynamics (CFD), natural convection boundary layers, turbulent mixing in stratified flows, and heat transfer applications. His studies address environmental challenges (e.g., river stratification) and engineering systems (e.g., HVAC efficiency). He employs experimental, theoretical, and numerical methods to advance understanding of complex fluid behaviors. Publications: His recent work emphasizes parameterization of turbulent flows, buoyancy effects in stratified systems, and scaling laws for natural convection. Key themes include improving predictive models for environmental and industrial fluid dynamics. Awards: Australian National Research Fellowship Stanford University UPS Visiting Professorship Saitama University Visiting Scholarship Shundoh International Foundation Research Scholarship Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD students in topics like urban fluid dispersion and Navier-Stokes solvers. Secured funding for projects involving CFD analysis of data centers and thermal stratification in open channels. Labs/Teams: Led the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering (2008–2015) and currently directs the Fluid Dynamics (FluD) research group.

Jennifer WhyteView profile

Professor

• Infrastructure Projects
• Project Leadership
• Systems Integration
• +5 more

Professor Jennifer Whyte is a Professor and Director of the John Grill Institute for Project Leadership at the University of Sydney's School of Project Management (Faculty of Engineering). Her research focuses on project leadership, systems integration, digital transformation in construction, and future-making practices. She previously led the School of Project Management (2021-23) and holds a retained Professorship at Imperial College London's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She is a Policy Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, contributing to industry policy and advisory boards such as the UK Construction Leadership Council. Education: Holds a PhD and is a Fellow (FICE) of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Her work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing practical impact through tools like digital twins and visualization technologies. Current projects include the Alan Turing Institute's Data-Centric Engineering Programme (Grand Challenge III) and the EPSRC-funded VENTURA Project's Virtual Decision Room initiative. Research interests span infrastructure projects, innovation ecosystems, and leadership in complex environments. She actively supervises doctoral students exploring areas like risk management in construction and digital transformation in public institutions. Awards include recognition for policy contributions and leadership in project-based organizations. Grants include funding for Big Data-driven stakeholder engagement in mega-projects and collaborations on new energy technologies. Her global links include Imperial College London and ongoing partnerships with institutions in the UK and Australia.

David HutchinsonView profile

Professor

• Decarbonisation
• Sustainable Energy
• Cleantech Innovation
• +3 more

Professor David Hutchinson is a faculty member at the University of Portsmouth within the Faculty of Technology, holding positions as the Founding Director of the Centre for Environmental and Renewable Energy Solutions (CERES) and Director of the International Cleantech Network and Greentech South. His research focuses on decarbonisation, sustainable energy, and cleantech innovation, intersecting with smart technologies, energy management, and policy-making to address global environmental challenges. He leads multidisciplinary teams and has managed over £15 million in externally funded projects, driving impactful research in sustainable energy technologies. His work extends beyond academia, supporting cleantech development through over £65 million in inward investment and creating over 790 jobs. Key research outputs include studies on PVT systems, flood risk visualization, and sustainable drainage systems. Hutchinson is actively involved in policy advocacy and has published extensively in journals like Nature Sustainability and Energies. He is open to media inquiries and supervises PhD students in Environmental Technologies, clean growth, and low-carbon economy transitions. Notable contributions include advancing solar energy feasibility frameworks, optimizing phase change material applications in photovoltaic systems, and exploring collaborative strategies in construction projects across emerging economies. His interdisciplinary approach bridges academia, industry, and policy to foster sustainable economic growth and environmental solutions.

Jihong WangView profile

Professor

• Power System Modelling and Control
• Energy Storage and Grid Integration
• Energy Efficient Actuators
• +3 more

Professor Jihong Wang is a faculty member at the University of Warwick's School of Engineering, where she has held the position since January 2011. She previously served as a Professor of Control and Electrical Power at the University of Birmingham and held academic roles at the University of Liverpool from 1998 to 2007. As the Head of the Power and Control Systems Research Laboratory, her research focuses on power system modeling and control, energy storage integration, and energy-efficient actuators. Her work has led to over 100 journal publications and several industry collaborations, including a smart voltage controller and a clean pneumatic UPS. She led the EPSRC-funded IMAGES project, developing an open-source software tool for energy storage systems. Professor Wang actively contributes to energy storage initiatives, including co-leading the Supergen Energy Storage Hub and the Joint UK-India Clean Energy Centre (JUICE). Her funded projects span compressed air energy storage (CAES), grid-tied photovoltaic inverters, and net-zero engineering innovation. She advises on energy policy and has pioneered innovations in thermal storage, grid decarbonization, and renewable energy integration. Her research bridges academic rigor and practical applications, addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy systems. Her professional engagement includes roles like Deputy Director of the Supergen Energy Storage Network+ and collaborations with global institutions. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to energy challenges, combining control systems, thermal engineering, and policy analysis. Professor Wang’s contributions have been recognized through best paper awards and leadership in major energy storage consortia.

Stuart Bruce DalzielView profile

Professor

• Fluid Mechanics
• Environmental Fluid Dynamics
• Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
• +6 more

Professor Stuart Bruce Dalziel is a Professor of Fluid Mechanics at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), University of Cambridge, where he has held academic roles since 2001. He leads the GK Batchelor Laboratory, a world-leading facility for experimental fluid dynamics. His research focuses on geophysical, environmental, and industrial fluid mechanics, employing theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods. Key areas include internal gravity waves, granular flows, turbulence, and building ventilation. Recent projects involve buoyant plumes, reactive flows, and applications like decontamination and hydrogen gas pipeline management. He is actively involved in supervising PhD students and has earmarked funding for projects on skipping stone dynamics and hydrogen gas purging in pipelines. Education and Career: Professor of Fluid Mechanics (2016–present) Reader in Fluid Mechanics (2012–2016) University Senior Lecturer (2001–2012) Director of the GK Batchelor Laboratory (1997–present) Research Interests: Dalziel’s work bridges experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches to address challenges in fluid mechanics. Recent projects include studying stratified turbulence, Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities, and fluid dynamics in rotating systems. His applied research extends to environmental engineering, such as improving building ventilation systems and mitigating airborne disease transmission. Advising and Grants: He mentors PhD students from diverse backgrounds (mathematics, engineering, physics) and oversees funded projects combining experimental and computational methods. Current opportunities focus on novel fluid dynamics problems with practical applications. Labs and Facilities: The GK Batchelor Laboratory, under his leadership, develops advanced diagnostics and software for fluid dynamics research, widely adopted in the scientific community.

Wael El-DakhakhniView profile

Professor

• Resilient Infrastructure Systems
• Systemic Risk Management
• Data-Driven Modeling
• +4 more

Dr. Wael El-Dakhakhni is a Professor of Civil Engineering at McMaster University, holding the Martini, Mascarin and George Endowed Chair in Masonry Design. He serves as Director of the INTERFACE Institute and NSERC CaNRisk-CREATE program, focusing on systemic risk and resilience in complex systems. His research spans interdependent networks, data-driven modeling, and infrastructure resilience under climate and disaster scenarios. He leads the INViSiONLab, advancing AI-driven solutions for urban resilience through digital twins. El-Dakhakhni is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a Member of the Royal Society of Canada, with notable awards including the NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplement (twice), Ontario Early Researcher Award, and John B. Scalzi Research Award. His work bridges academia and industry, contributing to codes, standards, and real-world applications in structural engineering and disaster response. Education: BSc (Ain Shams University, Egypt), MSc and PhD (Drexel University, USA). Research Interests: Complex systems simulation, systemic risk quantification, resilient infrastructure design, AI applications in urban planning, and climate resilience frameworks. His work integrates advanced machine learning, network theory, and physics-informed models to address multi-hazard challenges in energy, transportation, and urban systems. Key Projects: CITYDNA, McMasterDNA, and infrastructure digital twins for pandemic and climate crisis decision-support systems. He collaborates with governments and organizations to enhance infrastructure resilience through predictive analytics and adaptive strategies. Labs/Teams: INViSiONLab, McMaster INTERFACE Institute, NSERC-CaNRisk-CREATE program, and the Centre for Effective Design of Structures. His research has informed policy and standards in North America, emphasizing interdisciplinary solutions for systemic risk mitigation.

Tina ComesView profile

Professor

• Crisis Informatics
• Decision Theory
• Disaster Management
• +2 more

Tina Comes is a Full Professor in Decision-Making & Digitalisation at the University of Maastricht, Netherlands. She holds a part-time position (0.2 FTE) and has previously held academic roles at TU Delft (Associate Professor in Decision-Making for Resilience, 2017), University of Agder (Full Professor in ICT, 2015-2017), and Visiting Professor at Lamsade, Université Dauphine, Paris (2014). Her research focuses on Crisis Informatics , Decision Theory , Disaster Management , Humanitarian Logistics , and Resilience . Her work spans building simulation , ventilation systems , and energy-efficient design , with grants totaling €9.6 million since 2012. Key projects include Resilient Systems (NL Ministry of Defense, 2020-2026), H2020 HERoS (2020-2023), and Climate Resilient Urban Infrastructure (Amsterdam, 2020-2022). She has supervised 6 PhD students at TU Delft (2017-2022), 3 Postdocs/PhDs at University of Agder (2013-2020), and 1 PhD at Université Toulouse (2014-2018). Her scientific awards include: 2020 José Maria Sarriegi Award by the Spanish Red Cross 2019 Emerald Literati Award 2016 Delft Technology Fellowship (acceptance rate 2012 Best Paper Award at ISCRAM Conference

Mina NajafiView profile

Researcher

• Sustainable Construction
• Building Information Modeling (BIM)
• Digital Twin Applications
• +4 more

Dr. Mina Najafi is an academic researcher specializing in sustainable construction, digital transformation in built environments, and place attachment theory. Her work bridges engineering, urban planning, and social sciences. She actively supervises PhD students and contributes to interdisciplinary research initiatives. Research Focus: Sustainable Construction, BIM Technology, Digital Twins, Aging in Place Strategies, and Climate Resilience. Key Projects: Exploration of digital frontiers in construction, policy analysis for energy efficiency, and community-centric design for low-density regions. Her research interests span innovative construction practices, the integration of emerging technologies, and the socio-cultural dimensions of built environments. Recent work emphasizes leveraging digital tools for supply chain optimization and climate adaptation.