Michel Bruneau is a SUNY Distinguished Professor at the University at Buffalo's Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. His research focuses on earthquake-resistant design, blast-resistant structures, multi-hazard engineering, and seismic evaluation of infrastructure. He has authored influential books such as The Blessings of Disaster , exploring disaster resilience and societal adaptation. Bruneau's career includes leadership roles in NSF-funded research centers and over 20 prestigious awards for engineering innovation. Beyond academia, he has published novels and composed music, blending technical expertise with creative pursuits. Education: PhD (1987), MS (1984) in Structural Engineering from UC Berkeley; BS in Civil Engineering from Université Laval (1983). Research emphasizes resilient infrastructure, including seismic retrofitting of bridges and buildings. His work bridges engineering, policy, and sociology, advocating for proactive disaster preparedness. Notable contributions include advances in buckling-restrained braces and composite plate shear walls for structural resilience.
Professor Gunnar Luderer leads the Energy Transition Lab at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and serves as Deputy Head of Research Department 3 - Transformation Pathways. He is also Professor of Global Energy Systems Analysis at the Technical University of Berlin and Deputy Project Leader of the BMBF-funded Kopernikus-Projekt Ariadne. University of Heidelberg (Physics, Economics, Atmospheric Sciences) Oregon State University (Physics, Economics, Atmospheric Sciences) PhD at Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz His research focuses on energy system transformations , climate change mitigation pathways , and economic modeling using the REMIND model. Recent work explores hydrogen futures , bioenergy sustainability , and policy interactions across sectors. Selected article trends reveal expertise in multi-model intercomparisons , sectoral decarbonization , and techno-economic analysis of energy transitions across EU, China, and global contexts. World's Most Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science Group, 2019-2024) Lead Author, UNEP Emissions Gap Reports (2013, 2018) Contributing author to multiple IPCC reports Lead Author, IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (2025) Luderer teaches Energy and Climate Change at TU Berlin, covering climate physics, energy technologies, and policy frameworks. His team's research appears in Nature Energy , Nature Communications , and other high-impact journals.
Dr. Cem Demir is a Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), specializing in Structural Engineering with a focus on earthquake engineering, reinforced concrete structures, and historical building restoration. He holds a PhD in Structural Engineering from ITU (2004) and has extensive experience in seismic assessment, retrofitting, and failure analysis of existing buildings. His research emphasizes sustainable structural solutions, including the use of FRP composites and novel mortars for enhancing seismic resilience. He has contributed to major projects like the Istanbul Building Stock Seismic Risk Assessment and post-earthquake analyses of recent Turkish earthquakes (e.g., 2023 Kahramanmaraş). His work bridges historical preservation and modern seismic safety, with notable studies on structures like the 13th-century Divrigi Hospital and Hirka-i Serif Mosque. Education: PhD (Structural Engineering, ITU, 2004); Master's (Structural Engineering, ITU, 2001); Bachelor's (Civil Engineering, ITU, 1997). Research Interests: Seismic retrofitting of sub-standard RC columns, masonry structures, historical monuments, and cost-benefit analyses for urban resilience. His studies integrate experimental testing (e.g., full-scale building tests) with computational modeling to improve structural performance under seismic loads. Recent Work: Focus on sustainable materials (e.g., glass fiber-reinforced mortar), rapid assessment frameworks (PERA method), and post-disaster damage evaluation. He collaborates internationally, presenting at conferences like WCEE 2024 and SMAR 2024. His contributions address critical issues like Istanbul's seismic vulnerability and post-2023 earthquake building performance.
Rebecca Dziedzic is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering at Concordia University. Her research focuses on asset management, water system sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. She holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Toronto. Dr. Dziedzic's work integrates machine learning, data science, and policy analysis to address challenges in urban infrastructure systems. Her research explores topics such as water distribution network optimization, climate change adaptation in infrastructure, and circular economy strategies for construction. Recent projects include predicting water main breaks using multivariate models, developing frameworks for energy-efficient pump operation, and assessing carbon footprints in industrial facilities. Dr. Dziedzic supervises graduate students in Civil Engineering (MASc/PhD) and maintains an active research group through the UrbanLinks initiative. Her work has been published in over 30 peer-reviewed articles, with a strong focus on smart city technologies, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable infrastructure design.
T. Jeff Guh, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Architecture, University of Southern California. With over 30 years of experience as a licensed structural engineer in the U.S. and internationally, he specializes in seismic behavior of building structures and innovative structural technologies. He has designed commercial, institutional, healthcare, and transportation facilities, combining analytical and experimental methods in his research. Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University Master of Science in Structural Engineering, UCLA Doctor of Philosophy in Structural Engineering, UC Berkeley Teaching & Roles: Teaches courses such as ARCH 213bg Building Structures and Seismic Design , ARCH 313 Design of Building Structures , and others since 1995 Serves as graduate student advisor for thesis projects Course topics include structural systems (arches, trusses, moment frames), material analysis (steel/concrete), and performance-based design Professional Contributions: Former vice president, principal, and managing director of international engineering firms Member of ASCE, SEAOC, and EERI
Professor Tommy Chan is Chair in Civil Engineering at Queensland University of Technology's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. With over $10M in research funding, his work focuses on structural health monitoring of bridges and infrastructure systems. His research group develops cutting-edge methods for assessing structural integrity using vibration analysis, optical sensors, and machine learning. Professor Chan leads major projects including the ARC-funded 'Next Generation Bridge Monitoring' initiative developing real-time monitoring systems for prestressed concrete bridges. His team's innovations include GNSS-based settlement monitoring and synergic identification methods for prestress force evaluation. Current research explores vehicle-bridge interactions, damage detection algorithms, and novel materials for impact protection. He has received numerous honors including the Vice Chancellors' Leadership Award and Top Supervisor Award. Professor Chan founded the Australian Network of Structural Health Monitoring and serves on editorial boards for multiple journals in structural engineering.
Dr. Sasha Tsenkova is a Professor at the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture Planning and Landscape (SAPL), specializing in social sustainability and urban innovation. With dual PhDs in Architecture and Geography, she has over 30 years of experience in research, teaching, and consulting across 25 countries, advising governments and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank. Her work focuses on creating inclusive urban environments, affordable housing, and sustainable cities, with over 170 publications. She advocates for design excellence and planning innovation to address urbanization challenges and social justice. Education: MA in Architecture, MA in Urban Studies, PhD in Architecture, and PhD in Geography. Research interests include social urbanism, sustainable cities, affordable housing policy, planning innovation, and cultural heritage preservation. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to urban challenges and has pioneered design thinking methodologies in planning education. Her global consulting experience informs her advocacy for equitable urban development. Her work bridges academia and practice, influencing policies in Canada and internationally. She collaborates with institutions like the University of Calgary’s Cities Research group and actively engages in initiatives promoting social housing resilience, energy efficiency, and community-centered urban planning. Labs/Teams: Part of the University of Calgary’s Cities Research Institute, contributing to interdisciplinary urban studies and policy development.
Marco Martino Rosso is a Research Fellow at the Department of Structural, Building and Geotechnical Engineering (DISEG) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he also serves as an external lecturer and teaching assistant in both DISEG and the Department of Mathematical Sciences (DISMA). He is affiliated with the Doctoral School (SCDOTT) and completed his PhD under the supervision of Professor Giuseppe Carlo Marano. His academic work bridges civil engineering with advanced computational methods, focusing on structural health monitoring, optimization, and machine learning applications. His research interests center on Structural Health Monitoring , Machine Learning in Civil Engineering , Earthquake Engineering , Structural Optimization , Operational Modal Analysis , and AI-driven diagnostics for infrastructure. He applies deep learning, neural networks, and hybrid modeling techniques to problems such as damage detection, post-earthquake assessment, tunnel and bridge monitoring, and dynamic analysis of timber and concrete structures. His recent publications, spanning from 2023 to 2025, demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating artificial intelligence with structural engineering, particularly in automating modal analysis, optimizing structural forms, and enhancing seismic resilience. These works appear in journals like Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing , Computers & Structures , and Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering , as well as in proceedings of international conferences such as IOMAC and EWSHM. Marco Rosso has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. However, his extensive publication record and active role in research projects indicate strong recognition in his field. He has contributed to teaching as a course collaborator in subjects including Dynamic Identification of Structures , Statistics , Construction Techniques , and Safety Assessment and Retrofitting of Structures . He has also been involved in the ARTISTE 2025 Summer School, indicating engagement in advanced training programs. While no formal lab or team name is specified, his frequent collaborations with researchers such as Angelo Aloisio, Giuseppe Carlo Marano, and Jonathan Melchiorre suggest he is part of a vibrant research group focused on intelligent structural systems and data-driven engineering at Politecnico di Torino.
Gokhan Pekcan is a Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, serving as Graduate Program Director and Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs. His research focuses on earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, seismic hazard mitigation, and structural health monitoring. Key research areas include: Seismic response of bridges and buildings under torsional ground motions Development of active and adaptive control systems for seismic resilience Integration of machine learning and compressive sensing for structural health monitoring Experimental validation of seismic retrofit techniques Analysis of structural and nonstructural systems' vulnerability Design of energy dissipation systems for civil infrastructure Recent publications highlight his work on torsional ground motion effects, hybrid simulation methodologies, and smart material applications in bridge systems. He employs deep learning for damage detection and data compression in monitoring frameworks.
Professor Peter Smith serves as the Head of School for the School of Built Environment at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). With extensive expertise in project cost management and digital construction technologies, he leads academic initiatives focused on addressing global challenges in construction project delivery, cost overruns, and housing affordability. His leadership extends to international professional organizations in the field of cost engineering and quantity surveying. Professor Smith specializes in international research into Project Cost Management practices and the implementation of digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry. His research primarily focuses on addressing the global problem of project cost overruns and extends to housing affordability through project life cycle costing applications. His work has significant implications for measuring the long-term cost of housing and understanding its societal impacts. He teaches across multiple domains including project management, procurement and contract management, project cost management, project risk management, and professional practice. His recent research outputs demonstrate a clear trend toward integrating artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies with traditional construction management practices. The most recent publications focus on deep learning applications for construction progress monitoring, particularly for indoor construction elements. This represents a shift toward more automated, data-driven approaches to construction management that complement his longstanding work on international standards for project cost management and BIM implementation strategies across different global contexts. Professor Smith has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to the field: DAB Outstanding Academic Leadership Award (2020, 2021, 2022) South American Cost Engineering Award (2016) Distinguished International Fellow Award (2016) ICEC Chair Award for significant global contribution (2016) AIQS Academic Teaching & Research Award - Runner Up (2014) Multiple PAQS Best Academic Paper Awards (2010, 2013) Professor Smith actively supervises Masters Research and PhD students through the University of Technology Sydney. His funded research projects include "International Project Cost Management Practices," "Digital Technologies Implementation in the Construction Industry," "Project Management," "Housing Affordability Measurement," and "Life Cycle Costing." These projects have received support from various organizations including Beverly Homes Pty Ltd, Leighton Holdings, and the RICS Education Trust, with recent funding extending through 2028. As Secretary-General of the International Cost Engineering Council and a Distinguished International Fellow, Professor Smith maintains strong connections with global professional bodies. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. His work bridges academic research with industry practice, particularly through his role as an industry expert providing advisory and expert witness services for construction litigation matters.
Dr. Wai Kiong Oswald Chong is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, with a dual affiliation as Senior Global Futures Scientist at the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars program. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas-Austin, MSc and BSc in Building from the National University of Singapore, and focuses on integrating artificial intelligence with sustainable engineering systems. PhD (2005): Civil Engineering, University of Texas-Austin MSc (1999) & BSc (1997): National University of Singapore His research bridges lunar construction with Earth-bound sustainable systems, covering topics like: Space habitat modularization Resource circularity systems AI-enhanced building codes Climate-resilient infrastructure Advanced energy modeling Construction supply chain optimization Publications demonstrate consistent focus on: Semiconductor facility HVAC optimization Building energy consumption anomalies Life cycle assessment frameworks Construction risk management Deconstruction and material reuse AI-driven system modeling Current research projects include: Lunar MVI (Moon Village Initiative) Semiconductor fab design optimization Human-AI knowledge interfaces Thermal insulation systems for extreme environments Smart grid energy modeling
Osman Kaya is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University's Faculty of Engineering, Turkey. He has extensive experience in structural engineering, earthquake engineering, and composite materials for retrofitting applications. His educational background includes a PhD in Civil Engineering from Boğaziçi University (2010), with prior degrees from Boğaziçi University (MS, 2003) and Pamukkale University (BS, 1998). Education : PhD (Boğaziçi University, 2010), MS (Boğaziçi University, 2003), BS (Pamukkale University, 1998). Dr. Kaya's research focuses on seismic retrofitting of concrete structures using composite materials (CFRP), torsion analysis of reinforced concrete members, structural rehabilitation techniques, and earthquake resilience. His work includes analytical and experimental studies on beam-column joints, full-scale testing of concrete beams, and FRP-based reinforcement systems. His recent publications (2003-2025) emphasize composite retrofitting solutions, epoxy repair methodologies, torsion behavior in concrete beams, and seismic upgrading of existing structures. Key trends include CFRP sheets for shear-deficient joints and columns, chemical epoxy for joint rehabilitation, and full-scale experimental testing. Scientific Awards : Not explicitly mentioned. Dr. Kaya has supervised 6 graduate theses on topics like base isolation systems, torsion testing, and steel fiber applications in concrete. He has led 2 research projects funded by higher education institutions and participated in TÜBİTAK and other initiatives. He teaches advanced courses in structural analysis, reinforced concrete, and composite systems.
Professor Maria Kolokotroni is a full academic staff member at Brunel University's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, within the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. She holds a Professorial rank and has extensive experience in urban environmental engineering and building energy systems. Her academic career began at UCL (MSc 1992, PhD 1995), followed by postdoctoral research on environmental design guidance and moisture management. She joined Brunel University in 1998 and contributed to the Building Research Establishment's indoor environment division prior to her academic appointment. Education MSc in Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School, UCL (1992) PhD in Thermal Performance of Housing, UCL (1995) Postdoctoral Research: Environmental Design Guidance (UCL, 1996-1998) EPSRC-funded Postdoc: Moisture in Residential Buildings (University of Westminster, 1998) Research Interests Her work focuses on urban heat island mitigation, energy-efficient building technologies, ventilative cooling systems, and urban microclimate analysis. She actively collaborates on EU-funded projects like the IEA’s Annex 80 (Resilient Cooling) and Annex 62 (Ventilative Cooling), emphasizing practical applications of sustainable energy strategies. Key themes include: Urban albedo computation and reflective materials Thermal performance of residential and non-residential buildings Integration of renewable energy systems (photovoltaics, hydrogen) Building energy demand modeling Grants & Projects Recent projects include: PRELUDE: Real-time building energy optimization (EU, 2020-2024) PVadapt: Smart building-integrated photovoltaic systems (EU, 2018-2022) ReCO2ST: Near-zero energy retrofit platform (EU, 2018-2021) Urban albedo studies in high-latitude cities (EPSRC, 2017-2020) Advising & Collaborations Professor Kolokotroni leads interdisciplinary teams and collaborates with experts in mechanical engineering, environmental science, and urban planning. Her work bridges academic research with industry applications through projects like COOL ROOFS EU initiative and the IEA’s energy efficiency annexes. Labs/Teams Active in the International Energy Agency’s EBC Annex 80 (Resilient Cooling) and part of Brunel’s Institute for the Environment (IEF). Her research group focuses on building sustainability and climate resilience through advanced simulation tools and experimental validation.
Bahattin Kimençe is a Lecturer in the Civil Engineering Department at Istanbul Technical University (ITU). He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from ITU (1993–1997), an MSc in Structural Engineering (1985–1989), and a BSc in Civil Engineering (1982–1986). His research focuses on Solid Body Mechanics, Structural Dynamics, and Numerical Modeling with applications to masonry structures, seismic performance, and anisotropic material behavior. He has been a member of the Chamber of Civil Engineers from 1987 to 2018. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (1993–1997) MSc in Structural Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (1985–1989) BSc in Civil Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (1982–1986) His research interests emphasize the analysis of masonry structures, mortar thickness effects, seismic performance of multi-story steel buildings, and tunnel-structure interactions. His work combines numerical methods like the Boundary Element Method with anisotropic modeling to assess structural integrity and dynamic behavior. He has published extensively on topics such as historical building preservation, load distribution irregularities in multi-story systems, and soil-structure interaction for foundations. His articles consistently explore structural dynamics, material behavior under stress, and innovative numerical techniques. Recent trends focus on earthquake-resistant design and historical masonry preservation through advanced modeling. He has contributed to understanding geometric and load asymmetries in buildings and optimizing container structures over variable soil conditions. Notable Activities: Doctorate Lecturer in Disaster Management (Master’s Program) at ITU since 2024 Academic duties spanning over three decades at ITU No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the provided information. His work involves advising students in structural engineering and disaster management, though specific grants or lab affiliations were not detailed.
Professor Antony Darby holds a faculty position in the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering at the University of Bath , where he serves as Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange . His research focuses on structural dynamics and concrete structure assessment, supported by facilities like the world-unique VSimulators (a collaboration with the University of Exeter). He works with interdisciplinary teams to address motion serviceability criteria and develops passive vibration control methods using impact dampers. Expert in structural strengthening with advanced composites (e.g., carbon fiber) Lead author of Concrete Society’s TR55 design guidance UK principal expert on Eurocode 2 committee for FRP guidelines His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to sustainable cities and climate action. Recent publications span topics like structural stone scaling, offshore wind foundations, and occupant comfort in tall buildings. He actively supervises doctoral students and engages in industry knowledge exchange activities.
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