Samuel Ariaratnam

Samuel Ariaratnam is a Professor and Chair of the Construction Engineering program at the Del E. Webb School of Construction, part of Arizona State University's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. He holds the Sunstate Chair of Construction Management and Engineering and serves as a Senior Global Futures Scientist at the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars. His research focuses on trenchless construction methods, sustainable urban infrastructure, and infrastructure rehabilitation.

Education: B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo (1989), M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1991 and 1994).

Research emphasizes trenchless technologies like horizontal directional drilling and pipe bursting, with projects funded by organizations such as NSF, Southwest Gas, and HDR. He has authored over 300 papers, holds five patents, and co-authored industry guidelines for trenchless practices.

Awards include the 2012 Trenchless Technology Person-of-the-Year and recognition as one of Phoenix’s Top Forty Under 40 (2006). He leads international research collaborations and has served in leadership roles for professional societies like the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT).

Teaching includes courses on trenchless construction, project management, and infrastructure systems. He actively engages in community outreach through the Water Institute and public policy initiatives related to urban development and infrastructure resilience.