Chinchu Cherian

Dr. Chinchu Cherian is an Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) in Civil Engineering at the School of Engineering, University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). She holds a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from IIT Madras (2018), an M.Tech in Environmental Geotechnology from NIT Calicut (2012), and a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from Mahatma Gandhi University (2010). Dr. Cherian also served as a Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer at UBC Okanagan, contributing to teaching and industry-research collaborations. She is a Professional Engineer (PEng) registered with EGBC.

Her research focuses on climate change impacts on cold-region road infrastructure, freeze-thaw effects on soils, and sustainable construction materials derived from industrial waste. She employs advanced analytical techniques such as SEM/TEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and AAS. Dr. Cherian has pioneered waste valorization projects, including using wood ash and textile waste for soil stabilization, and collaborates with companies like AggreBind Inc. and Domtar Pulp Mill.

Dr. Cherian has received notable recognitions, including the Best Paper Award at the 2021 UBC Postdoctoral Research Day and the IGS-Shri A. G. Dastidar Biennial Award (2019). She has supervised 11 graduate students (7 MASc, 3 PhD) and mentored interns, offering specialized laboratory training and research guidance. Her teaching spans statics, fluid mechanics, and geotechnical engineering at both UNBC and Okanagan College. She actively contributes to professional committees, including the Canadian Geotechnical Society’s Education and EDI committees, and maintains affiliations with the ASCE and CSCE.

She is establishing a research lab at UNBC to advance sustainable geotechnical practices and has secured $60,000 in startup funding. Previously, her Mitacs fellowship (2019–2021) supported $120,000 in collaborative research. Her work emphasizes circular economy principles, industrial byproduct recycling, and resilient infrastructure for northern regions.