Surya S.C. Congress

Dr. Surya S.C. Congress is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU), specializing in geotechnical engineering and infrastructure monitoring. He holds an FAA Certified Drone Pilot license and actively uses UAVs for infrastructure assessment, combining machine learning and photogrammetry techniques. His research focuses on resilient infrastructure design, climate change impacts, and soil stabilization. Dr. Congress has secured funding from federal agencies like the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington (2018)
  • M.S. in Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (2014)
  • B.S. in Civil Engineering, JNTU, Kakinada (2012)

His research interests span stabilization of problematic soils, UAV-based infrastructure monitoring, digital twin applications, and climate change resilience. He has pioneered methods for bridge and pavement inspections using drones, contributing to safer and cost-effective infrastructure management. Dr. Congress also investigates the effects of climate change on transportation assets and community vulnerability.

Key awards include the 2023 Quigley Award for best paper in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal, ISSMGE’s Bright Spark Lecture (2018), and multiple fellowships. His work has been featured in ASCE SmartBrief and local news interviews during disaster response efforts.

Dr. Congress actively participates in professional committees, including serving as Vice-chair for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). His grants include USDOT-funded projects and collaborations with state departments of transportation. While no specific student advisees are listed, his research teams likely include graduate students in geotechnical and transportation engineering.

He is affiliated with MSU’s College of Engineering and maintains a lab focused on UAV-enabled infrastructure assessment and geotechnical modeling. His work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing real-world applications of cutting-edge technologies.