Find Academic Supervisors

• Structural Robustness
• Progressive Collapse
• Protective Structures
• +7 more

Foad Kiakojouri is a Research Fellow at the Department of Structural, Building and Geotechnical Engineering (DISEG), Politecnico di Torino, where he actively contributes to research and teaching. He is affiliated with the Doctoral School (SCDOTT) and serves as a course collaborator and teaching assistant across multiple programs, including PhD, Master’s, and Bachelor’s levels in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture. His research focuses on structural robustness , progressive collapse , and protective structures under extreme loading conditions such as blast, impact, fire, and seismic events. His expertise spans computational engineering, structural safety, and sustainable infrastructure, aligning with UN SDGs 9 and 11. His recent publications highlight a strong trend in progressive collapse assessment , retrofitting techniques , and numerical modeling of structural response under dynamic loading. The works emphasize both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in civil infrastructure resilience. Scientific Recognition: Guest Editor, Sustainability (2022–present) Member of National Research Group (PRIN) on structural robustness (2025–2027) Advising and Grants: Foad Kiakojouri supervises two PhD students: Francesco Pimpinella and Elahe Zeinali Miankooh, whose research focuses on flexible rockfall barriers and impact-induced collapse. He is involved in competitively funded research, including the PRIN project A quantitative framework for structural robustness assessment . Labs and Research Projects: His work is centered on advanced computational and experimental studies within DISEG, focusing on: Progressive collapse under fire, blast, and impact Performance of metallic sandwich panels and stiffened plates Strengthening techniques to mitigate structural collapse Protection of critical structural members

• Natural Hazards
• Environmental Engineering
• Geographic Information Systems
• +3 more

Hans Wolfgang Weinmeister is a Full Professor at the Institute of Alpine Natural Hazards , Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His career spans over two decades at BOKU, focusing on natural hazard mitigation in alpine regions. Research Interests include natural hazards, environmental engineering, and geographic information systems (GIS) for hazard zone planning. He has contributed extensively to understanding sediment disasters, torrent control, and forest hydrology in alpine ecosystems. Publications highlight his work on sediment dynamics, flood risk assessment, and sustainable hazard mitigation strategies. His projects often integrate GIS and climate data for improved disaster planning. Advising includes supervising numerous Master's and PhD theses on topics like glacier lake outburst floods, sediment transport, and avalanche dynamics. He has also delivered lectures internationally, including in France. Community Engagement extends to roles in professional forums such as the Alpen-Forum and SABO, emphasizing practical applications of his research in alpine hazard management.

Carlos Paredes BartolomeView profile

Associate Professor

• Fractal Geometry in Earth Sciences
• Coastal Cliff Recession Modeling
• Volcanic and Seismic Hazard Analysis
• +4 more

Carlos Paredes Bartolome is a Spanish Associate Professor at the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering within the Technical University of Madrid's School of Mining Engineering . His research integrates fractal geometry with structural geology to analyze complex earth systems. Active since 1999 (Titular Universidad) Member of Ingeniería de Georrecursos y Modelización research group since 2008 Key research areas include: Fractal analysis of fault distributions Volcano-tectonic interactions Coastal cliff recession modeling Rockfall susceptibility mapping CO2 geological storage characterization Historical photogrammetry applications His most recent work focuses on: Tsunami impact simulations Ground deformation monitoring Morphometric analysis of karst depressions Stress field reconstruction Caldera collapse dynamics Three-dimensional fracture network modeling Contact: carlos.paredes@upm.es

• Applied Geology
• Debris Flow
• Rock Mechanics
• +5 more

Federico Vagnon is an Associate Professor at the Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI) of Politecnico di Torino . His research focuses on applied geology , debris flow , rock mechanics , and geothermal energy , with a strong emphasis on geohazards and sustainable infrastructure . He leads and collaborates on courses such as Geothermal Energy , Environmental Engineering Geology , and Civil Protection , spanning Environmental and Land Management Engineering and Civil Engineering programs.

Marco PrevitaliView profile

Researcher

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Discrete Element Method
• Rock Mechanics
• +4 more

Marco Previtali is a Researcher in Civil Engineering specializing in geotechnical engineering with an active publication record of 47 research outputs. His work spans computational modeling, experimental testing, and practical applications in rock mechanics and foundation engineering, primarily affiliated with an unspecified university department. Previtali completed his PhD in 2023 with a thesis on “Experimental and numerical characterization of Double-Twisted hexagonal meshes for rockfall protection” under supervisors M. Ciantia, S. Spadea, G.B. Crosta, and R.P. Castellanza. His doctoral research established foundations in numerical simulation of geotechnical structures. His core research integrates Discrete Element Method (DEM) with advanced computational techniques to address challenges in soft rock mechanics, pile foundation design, and offshore renewable energy infrastructure. Previtali’s work emphasizes numerical modeling of large deformations, particle-based simulations, and AI-driven geotechnical solutions, with significant contributions to understanding screw pile interactions, chalk behavior, and porous rock mechanics. Current trends show increasing focus on 4D modeling and AI integration for predictive geotechnical analysis. Recent publications (2024–2026) reveal a strategic shift toward hybrid computational approaches, combining DEM with machine learning to solve complex soil-structure interaction problems. His research bridges theoretical modeling and practical engineering applications, particularly in offshore wind energy foundations and challenging soil conditions, while maintaining strong international collaborations across Europe. No scientific awards or honors are documented in the available information. Previtali maintains an extensive collaborative network evidenced by co-authorship on 47 publications since 2019, with notable partnerships in offshore geotechnics and numerical modeling. His research trajectory indicates growing leadership in AI-geotechnics integration, though specific grant details or student supervision beyond his own PhD are not disclosed. The publication surge (16 outputs in 2024) suggests active involvement in major research initiatives. While explicit lab affiliations are unconfirmed, his experimental work on 4D model testing and particle-scale simulations implies access to advanced geotechnical laboratories with capabilities for small-scale physical modeling and high-performance computational resources.

Georgios ManiatisView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Fluvial Geomorphology
• Sediment Transport
• Environmental Sensor Technology
• +4 more

Georgios Maniatis is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, and a Honorary Research Associate at the University of Glasgow. His expertise lies in fluvial geomorphology, focusing on sediment transport sensing, advanced topographic sensing, and hydromorphological classification. He holds a PhD in Geography and Computing Sciences from the University of Glasgow (2017), an MSc in Freshwater Systems Science (2012), and a 5-year Diploma in Environmental Engineering from the Technical University of Crete (2011). His research integrates emerging technologies like smart pebbles (IMU sensors) and UAV-based LiDAR to study river dynamics, geomorphic change detection, and environmental monitoring. He has collaborated with organizations such as the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Water, contributing to river management and restoration projects. Key areas of interest include sediment transport mechanics, sensor development, statistical modeling, and data coherence analysis. Maniatis has led or co-led projects funded by NERC and the UK Environment Agency, focusing on topics like pollution incident metrics, airborne particulate matter exposure during the pandemic, and river pipeline risk assessment. He actively supervises postgraduate research in fluvial geomorphology, sediment transport modeling, and river engineering. His publications span over 30 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing sensor technology validation, geomorphic change quantification, and interdisciplinary applications. He is committed to advancing environmental monitoring techniques through innovative sensor systems and collaborative research initiatives.

Robert FergusonView profile

Associate Professor

• Near-surface Geophysics
• Glacial Seismicity
• Distributed Acoustic Sensing
• +3 more

Dr. Robert Ferguson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment at the University of Calgary. His research focuses on geophysical methods for studying the built environment, including urban infrastructure, glacial hazards, and historical site preservation. Notable projects include glacial seismicity monitoring at Mt. Meager using distributed acoustic sensing and machine learning, georadar fault imaging in Italy, and urban vibration studies. Received Best of EAGE 2023 award from the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers. Research integrates field measurements with advanced signal processing to address challenges in natural hazard assessment, climate change impacts, and infrastructure protection. Work contributes to Energy Innovations and Earth-Space Technologies initiatives.

• Natural Hazards
• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• +3 more

Georg Nagl is a researcher at the Institute of Alpine Natural Hazards under the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. His work focuses on debris flow mechanics, natural hazard mitigation, and infrastructure resilience. Research Interests : Debris flow dynamics Impact force analysis Natural hazard monitoring Climate-resilient infrastructure Geotechnical disaster prevention Mountain torrent management Scientific Contributions : His recent publications analyze temporal/spatial debris flow patterns, stress anisotropy in flows, and innovative monitoring barriers. Keywords span environmental engineering, geotechnics, and hydrology. Theses Supervision : Supervised the Master's thesis Evaluation of methods for determining the discharge of a debris flow on the Lattenbach (2023). Project Involvement : Active in EU/national projects like Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Resilient Critical Infrastructure (2024-2028) and Detection of rockfall using structure-borne sound (2023-2025), focusing on hazard reduction technologies.

Edoardo RotiglianoView profile

Professor

• Physical Geography
• Geomorphology
• Applied Geomorphology
• +5 more

Edoardo Rotigliano is a Full Professor in the Department of Earth and Marine Sciences at the University of Palermo, Italy. He teaches Physical Geography, GIS, and Applied Geomorphology courses with office hours held at the main campus (Via Archirafi, 22) and Trapani teaching center for Biodiversity and Technological Innovation students. His contact includes phone (+3909123864649) and email (edoardo.rotigliano@unipa.it). His research spans physical geography and geomorphology with emphasis on landslide susceptibility modeling, erosion processes, and natural hazard assessment. Key interests include geomorphometry, GIS analysis, hydrogeological phenomena, and coastal vulnerability. He employs advanced geospatial techniques and field-based approaches to analyze hazards in Mediterranean environments, particularly Sicily and Central America. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal strong focus on landslide deposit prediction, inventory completeness validation, and multi-typology susceptibility modeling. His work integrates stochastic approaches, high-precision simulations, and field data to address geomorphological hazards across diverse landscapes from volcanic calderas to coastal zones. Notable case studies include El Salvador's Ilopango Caldera and Sicilian river basins. Scientific contributions include: Development of spatial validation protocols for landslide susceptibility maps Integration of preparatory and triggering factors in coseismic hazard models Analysis of scale effects in geomorphological modeling Experimental pedagogy for geoscience education As faculty member, he supervises student research and participates in geoscience education initiatives. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration between geomorphology, hydrology, and environmental engineering. Current projects focus on refining hazard prediction models through advanced sampling strategies and multi-source data integration for Mediterranean and Central American contexts.

Simone MineoView profile

Associate Professor

• Applied Geology
• Rock Mechanics
• Landslide Risk Assessment
• +7 more

Simone Mineo is an Associate Professor of Applied Geology (GEO/05) at the University of Catania, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences. His office is located at Palazzo Ramondetta, Corso Italia, 57, 95129 Catania on the 4th floor, with office hours on Mondays from 11:00 to 12:00 by appointment. Dr. Mineo's educational background includes a PhD in Earth Sciences, Environment, and Resources from the University of Naples Federico II (2017), a Master's degree in Geological Sciences from the University of Catania (2014, with honors), and a specialized Master's in environmental risk control systems. He has achieved National Scientific Qualification for both associate and full professor positions in Applied Geology. His research focuses on Applied Geology with pioneering work in Infrared Thermography applications for rock porosity assessment and landslide monitoring. Dr. Mineo integrates traditional geological methods with cutting-edge technologies including UAV photogrammetry, DInSAR, and digital outcrop modeling to address complex geological challenges, particularly in Sicily and the Maltese Archipelago. His work bridges geomechanics, environmental protection, and geological heritage conservation. Analysis of his publication record reveals a strong focus on technological innovation in geological risk assessment, with increasing emphasis on digital approaches for monitoring unstable slopes in protected areas. His research trajectory shows progression from laboratory-based thermographic analysis to comprehensive field applications in natural reserves and cultural heritage sites. Dr. Mineo's significant scientific recognition includes: BEST PAPER AWARD at MedGU24 (2024) PREMIO AIGA for outstanding scientific contributions (2020, 2023, 2024) Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing awards from major geoscience journals As Principal Investigator, Dr. Mineo leads the LINAR project (PRIN 2022, €206,896 funding) studying landslides in nature reserves, and the MODIV project funded by the University of Catania. He regularly teaches courses in Applied Geology, Rock Mechanics, and Geological Regulations, with teaching activities documented through June 2025. His research group actively participates in international conferences including EGU General Assembly and Mediterranean Geosciences Union meetings, demonstrating strong engagement with the global geoscience community.

• Forest Economics
• Forest Planning
• Protection Forests
• +7 more

Peter Antkowiak is a Researcher and doctoral student at the Chair of Forestry Economics and Forest Planning at the University of Freiburg. He works on the "Determining the Insurance Value of Ecosystems (DIVES)" project in cooperation with WSL in Birmensdorf and SLF in Davos, focusing on dynamic modeling of protection forests and developing management concepts for climate-adapted forests. His research interests include: Dynamic modeling of alpine protection forests under biotic and abiotic disturbances Quantification of protection, risks, and ecosystem services Development of management concepts for resilient, climate-adapted protection forests Image analysis for early detection of plant diseases Monitoring of animal populations with camera traps Ecology of arctic breeding birds and climate change impacts His primary research focuses on gravitational mass movements such as avalanches and rockfall, with an emphasis on quantifying protection values and developing management strategies for more resilient forest ecosystems in the face of climate change. His work combines ecological modeling with practical forest management approaches. His educational background includes: Doctoral studies at the Chair of Forest Economics and Forest Planning, University of Freiburg (since 2018) M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences at the University of Freiburg, specializing in GIS, statistics, and environmental modeling (2014-2017) B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences at the University of Freiburg and SLU in Umeå, Sweden, focusing on conservation and wildlife ecology (2010-2014) His professional experience includes research positions at the Federal Forest Research Institute and SLU in Sweden, focusing on invasive tree species, plant disease detection, and ecological data analysis.

Panagiotis NyktasView profile

Assistant Professor

• Remote Sensing
• Environmental Science
• Climate Change
• +6 more

Panagiotis Nyktas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and affiliated with the Digital Society Institute. His research focuses on environmental science, remote sensing, and geomatics, with a strong emphasis on UAV applications and climate change impacts. He investigates topics such as soil erosion, vegetation dynamics, and geohazard assessment in mountainous and coastal ecosystems. His work integrates advanced technologies like thermal infrared imagery and photogrammetric point clouds to address ecological and environmental challenges. Notable contributions include studies on alpine plant richness in Crete, UAV-based rockfall analysis, and sustainable land use planning in Thailand. Collaborations span Mediterranean and Southeast Asian regions, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental sustainability. Recent publications highlight innovative methodologies in remote sensing for vegetation monitoring, biomass estimation, and watershed management. His research bridges ecological modeling, GIS, and field data to inform conservation and disaster risk reduction strategies.

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Landslide Risk Assessment
• Soil Mechanics
• +3 more

Nikolaos Depountis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Patras, Department of Geology within the Faculty of Science. His educational background includes a BSc from the University of Patras, and MSc and PhD degrees from Cardiff University, UK. Research interests center on geotechnical challenges including landslide mechanisms, soil erosion modeling, and coastal vulnerability assessment. His work integrates field studies with geospatial technologies, focusing on: Geotechnical investigations for infrastructure projects Physical/mechanical properties of geological materials Landslide monitoring and early-warning systems Coastal erosion quantification using multi-sensor approaches Geohazard assessment in archaeologically sensitive areas Publication analysis reveals strong emphasis on geohazard prediction (75% of recent works) with methodological focus on GIS, remote sensing, and 3D modeling. Coastal processes and soil erosion constitute 60% of research outputs since 2020. Teaching responsibilities include Engineering Geology, Rock Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering, and specialized courses on natural hazards and marine geology.

• Numerical Methods
• Rock Mechanics
• Geomechanics
• +3 more

Klaus Thoeni is an Associate Professor in Civil Engineering and Associate Dean Research (Industry Engagement) at the University of Newcastle's School of Engineering. With over 15 years of expertise, he specializes in advanced numerical methods including Boundary/Discrete/Finite Element Methods applied to rock mechanics, geomechanics, mining engineering, and underground excavations. His research focuses on: Computational geomechanics and granular mechanics Rockfall protection systems and slope stability Photogrammetry and 3D monitoring Particle-based modeling of geomaterials He currently teaches courses such as ENGG1002 (Introduction to Engineering Computations) and CIVL2050 (Engineering Computations and Probability), and supervises final-year projects. Recent articles demonstrate strong focus on: Rock slope monitoring and hazard assessment DEM-BEM coupling techniques Industrial safety in mining operations Uncertainty quantification in granular systems Awards and honors include: Industry Engagement Excellence Award (2021) Excellence Award for Research Supervision (2020) Outstanding Research Award (2017) IACMAG Excellent Paper Award (2014) Amann Award (2003) He leads industry-funded projects and contributes to the open-source discrete element software YADE. His team develops photogrammetric monitoring systems for geotechnical applications, with focus on mining and infrastructure safety.

Gabriel WaltonView profile

Professor

• Rock Mechanics
• Numerical Modeling
• Geotechnical Engineering
• +4 more

Gabriel Walton is a Professor and Associate Department Head in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. He holds a Ph.D. and B.A.Sc. in Geological Engineering from Queen’s University (2014 and 2011, respectively). His research focuses on rock mechanics, numerical modeling of slopes and underground works, rockmass characterization, and applications of geophysics and remote sensing. He leads the Geomechanics Lab ( geomech.mines.edu ), emphasizing in situ monitoring, machine learning for geohazard prediction, and geotechnical modeling. Key research areas include: Brittle rock behavior under stress-relaxation and creep Rockfall hazard assessment and mitigation strategies Numerical simulation of rockmass analogs using bonded block models Integration of LiDAR and photogrammetry for slope stability analysis His work bridges theoretical rock mechanics with practical engineering solutions, addressing challenges in mining, tunneling, and natural hazard management. Recent studies explore post-fire sediment dynamics and the influence of mineralogical properties on coal strength. He has pioneered machine learning approaches for automated feature extraction in rock slope monitoring datasets. Walton’s contributions have advanced understanding of pillar-support interaction in mines and the validation of geophysical systems for tunneling. His research consistently integrates laboratory experiments with field-scale observations to improve predictive models for geotechnical systems.