Sandra Orr is a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at Ulster University's Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, based at the Belfast campus. She works in the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment and can be contacted at sd.orr@ulster.ac.uk or +44 28 9536 5304. Her research interests are centered around two main areas: Water Engineering : including disinfection of drinking water in trunk mains, free chlorine residual, water quality monitoring, and pipe network analysis. Geotechnical Engineering : with a focus on the design of gravity retaining walls, adherence to standards (e.g., PD6694-1), and soil mechanics. Her publications reflect these interests, with a 2019 article on trunk main disinfection and a 2014 conference paper on retaining wall design. These works contribute to environmental protection and civil engineering practice, addressing critical infrastructure challenges.
Sherif El-Tawil is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan. He earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University (1996), M.S. (1991) and B.S. (1989) from Cairo University. Education Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (1996) M.S., Cairo University, Egypt (1991) B.S., Cairo University, Egypt (1989) His research focuses on structural behavior under extreme events, including: Progressive collapse modeling Seismic response of deep steel columns Catenary action in structural systems Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Virtual reality applications for finite element analysis and education Egress simulation using agent-based models Hybrid coupled walls He has taught courses at both the University of Michigan (CEE-510, CEE-512, CEE-312, CEE-211, CEE-611, CEE-413) and University of Central Florida (CES-5606, CES-4605, CES-6116, EGN-3310, CES-4101). He has conducted workshops on structural bolting, steel bridge design, and seismic design. Current and former students include: Prof. Julie Fogarty (PhD 2015, UM) Dr. Jieshi Fang (PhD 2015, UM) Dr. Sukhoon Pyo (PhD 2014, UM) Prof. Honghao Li (PhD 2011, UM) Prof. Philip Park (PhD 2011, UM) Prof. Chung-Chan Hung (PhD 2010, UM) Prof. Dongjoo Kim (PhD 2009, UM) Dr. Kittinun Sirijaroonchai (PhD 2009, UM) Dr. Supat Suwwanakarn (PhD 2009, UM) Prof. Kapil Khandelwal (PhD 2008, UM) Dr. Ekin Ekiz (PhD 2007, UM) Dr. Mohamed Hassan (PhD 2003, UCF) Prof. Jin Jun (PhD 2002, UCF) He leads the Computational Structural Simulation Laboratory (CSSL) and has collaborated with NIST on large-scale collapse testing of steel subassemblages.
Chunendra K Sahu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) since 2020. He holds a PhD from the University of Alberta (2012-2016), MTech from IISc Bangalore (2009-2011), and BTech from BIT Durg (2005-2009). Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Cambridge (2017-2020) and Industrial Postdoc at the University of Alberta (2016-2017). His research focuses on: Flow dynamics in porous media Buoyancy-driven flows and density variations Carbon sequestration techniques Groundwater contamination mechanisms Geothermal energy extraction His publications predominantly explore fluid transport phenomena in porous structures, with recent work emphasizing gravity currents, convection patterns, and permeability transitions in geological systems. These studies bridge fundamental fluid mechanics with environmental applications. Significant honors include: Postdoctoral Fellowship from University of Oslo (2017) All India 6th Rank in GATE 2009 Silver Medal in National Mathematics Olympiad (2003) Multiple travel awards for geophysical research Best Paper Award (2011) He has held leadership roles including President of Trinity Postdoctoral Society at Cambridge and Mechanical Engineering Graduate Students Association at Alberta.
Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), specialising in Geotechnical Engineering. Since joining IIT Kanpur in 2011, he has built a strong research portfolio, secured competitive funding, and received numerous accolades for his contributions to environmental geotechnology and unsaturated soil mechanics. Education PhD, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India (2010) M.E., College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, India (2002) B.E., Vellore Engineering College, University of Madras, India (2000) Research Interests Dr. Sathiyamoorthy’s research is centred on the behaviour of unsaturated soils, environmental geotechnics, and innovative ground-improvement techniques. His work employs advanced numerical and physical modelling to address challenges in landfill barrier design, soil–structure interaction, and performance of geosynthetically reinforced systems. A distinctive feature of his investigations is the integration of field-scale problems with controlled laboratory and centrifuge testing, coupled with state-of-the-art computational tools. Scientific Awards & Fellowships IEI Young Engineers Award 2013-2014 (Civil Engineering) – The Institution of Engineers (India) Talented Young Scientist Fellowship 2019 – Ministry of Science and Technology, China Distinguished Alumni Award 2019 (Academic & Research) – VIT University Best Paper Awards (Environmental Geotechnology) – Indian Geotechnical Society, 2019 & 2015 Best Paper Award – International Geotechnical Engineering Conference on Sustainability 2016 IGS Prof. A.V. Shroff Biannual Award 2013 – Indian Geotechnical Society International Geosynthetics Society Student Award 2012 – IGS, USA Best Paper Award 2010 – Geotextiles and Geomembranes Research Funding & Collaborations Dr. Sathiyamoorthy has successfully led multiple sponsored projects worth several crores of rupees from agencies such as SERB-DST, BRNS-DAE, Shanghai Council of Science & Technology, RDSO Lucknow, and PAAB-MHRD. These projects span centrifuge modelling of embankments on encased stone columns, hydro-mechanical behaviour of compacted soils, reliability-based assessment of landfill slopes, and field validation of stabilised subgrade materials for pavements. His international collaboration includes joint research at Tongji University, Shanghai, under the Talented Young Scientist Fellowship. Laboratories & Teams He heads experimental activities in the Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory at IIT Kanpur, where his group maintains specialised equipment for unsaturated soil testing, geosynthetic evaluation, and centrifuge modelling. The research team comprises doctoral scholars, master’s students, and project staff working on inter-related themes of environmental geotechnology and ground improvement.
Guirong (Grace) Yan is a Professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology and serves as the director of the Wind Hazard Mitigation (WHAM) Laboratory. Her research focuses on mitigating hazards from extreme winds including tornadoes and hurricanes through engineering solutions and community resilience initiatives. Her primary research interests encompass numerical simulation of wind fields using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental methods in wind tunnels and tornado simulators, dynamic structural responses to extreme winds, and reproduction of real-world damage scenarios. She uniquely integrates engineering with social science to enhance public risk awareness and encourage proactive community resilience measures against wind hazards. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant themes in tornado and typhoon wind modeling, particularly terrain and surface roughness effects using ultra-fine scale CFD simulations. Her work spans structural engineering, atmospheric science, and social dimensions of disaster recovery, with increasing emphasis on community resilience modeling, insurance mechanisms, and multidisciplinary approaches to risk reduction. Professor Yan has secured 20 research grants totaling $1.93 million. While specific student names are not listed in available materials, she mentors graduate students in the WHAM Laboratory through hands-on research in wind engineering and disaster resilience projects. As director of the WHAM Laboratory, she leads experimental research using specialized tornado simulators and wind tunnels to investigate extreme wind effects on civil structures. Her team develops advanced simulation techniques and mitigation strategies for wind-induced structural damage while collaborating with social scientists on community resilience initiatives.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bastian Welsch serves as a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Bochum University of Applied Sciences, where he holds key leadership roles including Head of the Renewable Energy Systems program, Chairman of the Renewable Energy Systems Committee, and member of both the Departmental Council and founding board of the Energy Transition Institute (EnWI). His academic focus centers on geothermal energy systems and renewable energy integration within sustainable infrastructure frameworks. Welsch's research expertise spans medium-deep borehole thermal energy storage, geothermal probe modeling, and renewable energy system optimization. His work addresses critical challenges in seasonal heat storage, district heating integration, and groundwater interaction with geothermal systems. He has pioneered simulation tools like BASIMO for optimizing borehole heat exchanger arrays and investigated permeability changes affecting regulatory approvals. His research bridges technical engineering with environmental and economic sustainability assessments. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2015-2020) reveals a strong trajectory toward practical implementation of geothermal storage solutions, with increasing emphasis on economic viability, environmental impact metrics, and integration with 4th generation district heating grids. His work consistently combines numerical modeling with real-world system design, demonstrating growing sophistication in optimization algorithms and multi-system coupling approaches. As an educator, Welsch teaches across both bachelor's and master's programs, covering foundational courses like Geology and Georesources alongside specialized subjects including Geothermal Energy Systems, Renewable Energies and Energy Supply, and advanced Geothermal Systems courses focusing on heating/cooling storage and electricity generation. He maintains regular consultation hours for students during academic terms.
Zhaozheng Yin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Department of Computer Science at Stony Brook University, affiliated with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. His research focuses on biomedical image analysis, computer vision, machine learning, and human-robot collaboration in smart manufacturing contexts. Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University (2009) M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison B.S. in Automation from Tsinghua University Active in advancing microscopy image analysis through novel algorithmic approaches, Dr. Yin's work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in healthcare and industrial automation. His research emphasizes: Intelligent human-robot collaboration systems Cyber-physical sensing and augmented reality for manufacturing Medical image segmentation and classification techniques Temporal action localization and counting algorithms His publications demonstrate expertise in domain adaptation, vision-language integration, and graph-based modeling. Grant-funded projects include NSF CAREER support for microscopy analysis and NRI/CPS grants for collaborative robotics research. Best Doctoral Spotlight Award, CVPR 2009 Young Scientist Awards at MICCAI (2010-2015) NSF CAREER Award recipient (2014) Best Paper Awards at CVPR workshop (2015) and IISE (2018)
Anders Ivarsson is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering , Thermal Energy , at the Technical University of Denmark. His research focuses on combustion physics, chemical thermodynamics, and sustainable engine technologies. Key Affiliations: Technical University of Denmark (2003–present) Academic Background: PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2008), MSc in Mechanical Engineering (2003) Research Interests include combustion diagnostics, optical engine testing, and CFD modeling for emissions reduction. His work addresses greenhouse gas control and alternative fuel integration. Publications highlight trends in spark ignition engines, ammonia combustion, and radiative heat transfer modeling. Recent studies focus on lignin fuels and spectral radiation analysis. Students: R. W. K. Christensen (PhD, main supervisor) M. Terauchi (PhD, main supervisor) F. R. Westlye (PhD, main supervisor) Projects: Currently leads investigations into marine engine emissions, dual-fuel ammonia combustion, and lignin-based fuels. Past work includes radiation modeling in combustion engines and fuel spray dynamics.
Jacob Fish holds the Rosalind and John J. Redfern Jr. Chair in Engineering at Columbia University's Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics within the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. His research program focuses on computational mechanics and multiscale modeling with applications across material science and structural engineering. His research interests center on developing advanced computational frameworks for multiscale analysis of heterogeneous materials. Key areas include computational continua, atomistic-to-continuum coupling, fracture mechanics of composites, and thermomechanical modeling of advanced materials. His work bridges theoretical developments with practical engineering applications through reduced-order modeling and data-physics integration. His recent publications demonstrate strong trends in multiscale computational engineering, particularly in homogenization techniques, phase-field fracture modeling, and data-driven approaches for material behavior prediction. The research spans from atomistic simulations to structural-scale analysis with emphasis on computational efficiency and physical fidelity. Fellow, U.S. Association for Computational Mechanics (USACM) Computational Structural Mechanics Award, 2005 Fellow, International Association for Computational Mechanics (IACM), 2002 National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award, 1992 Walter P. Murphy Fellowship, Northwestern University, 1986 Fish serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal for Multiscale Computational Engineering and has secured numerous research grants focused on multiscale modeling of advanced materials. His collaborative network spans multiple institutions and disciplines, particularly in computational mechanics and material science. His laboratory develops computational frameworks for multiscale analysis with applications in structural engineering, material science, and biomechanics, focusing on efficient algorithms for complex material behavior prediction.
Daohong Qiu is an Associate Professor and Master Tutor at the Geotechnical and Structural Engineering Center, School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University. His research focuses on advanced geological prediction in tunnels, surrounding rock stability, structural health monitoring for urban rail transit, and TBM tunneling performance optimization. Position: Associate Professor Affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University Email: qiudh@sdu.edu.cn Research Interests: He specializes in geotechnical engineering challenges related to underground construction, including rock burst prediction , disaster control , and machine learning applications in geological modeling. His work emphasizes integrating advanced computational methods like quantum genetic algorithms and RBF neural networks with field data to improve tunnel safety and efficiency. Publication Trends: His recent 2019 studies address subsea tunnel risk assessment , rock burst prediction in underground caverns, and machine learning-driven surrounding rock classification . Earlier works (2014-2015) explore SVM/GA-SVM for geological disaster forecasting, while pre-2010 papers focus on optimization theory and stress field analysis. Patent Contributions: He holds multiple invention patents for geological prediction devices, including three-dimensional geological network modeling , seismic signal detection , and concrete elevation control systems .
Stefano Invernizzi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Structural, Geotechnical and Building Engineering (DISEG) of Politecnico di Torino. His expertise spans civil and structural engineering, focusing on fracture mechanics, finite element analysis, and numerical modeling of historical masonry and concrete structures. Teaches Statics and structural analysis courses at the Faculty of Architecture. Supervised numerous PhD and degree theses on masonry, concrete, and computational mechanics. Research emphasizes scale effects on material strength, fractal properties of structural materials, contact mechanics, and seismic vulnerability of historical buildings. He co-developed the sequentially linear saw-tooth softening model for robust analysis of reinforced concrete structures. Collaborated with Prof. Jan Rots on computational mechanics and contributed to projects like TOMORROW (additive manufacturing for building walls) and DURA_LAM (nano-materials for timber durability). His work aligns with SDGs 9 (Industry Innovation) and 11 (Sustainable Cities). He leads the Laboratorio di Meccanica della Frattura and has authored over 30 publications in journals like Engineering Fracture Mechanics and International Journal of Fracture . His research integrates statistical theories of strength with nonlinear numerical simulations for disordered materials.
Dr. Liya Zhao is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), where she leads the Dynamic Smart Structures and Energy Harvesting Laboratory. She previously held academic positions at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), first as a Lecturer (2017) and later promoted to Senior Lecturer (2021), before joining UNSW in 2022. Her research is highly interdisciplinary, focusing on smart structures, nonlinear dynamics, and sustainable energy technologies. Education: Ph.D. in Structures & Mechanics, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2015) B.Eng. in Civil Engineering, Tongji University, China (2009) Research Interests: Dr. Zhao's work centers on energy harvesting from ambient sources (wind, vibration, human motion, waves), smart materials (piezoelectric, triboelectric), metamaterials, and nonlinear dynamics. She designs adaptive structures for broadband energy harvesting and vibration suppression, with applications in self-powered wireless sensor networks, structural health monitoring, and wearable devices. Her research integrates theoretical modeling, numerical simulation, and experimental validation. Publication Trends: Over the past decade, her research has evolved from fundamental electromechanical modeling toward multifunctional metastructures and real-world deployment. Her recent work emphasizes hybrid energy harvesting, nonlinear tuning for broadband response, and integration with self-powered sensing systems, reflecting a strong trend toward practical, sustainable technologies. Scientific Awards: ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), 2021–2024 World's Top 2% Scientists (Stanford University), 2020–2023 Nanyang Engineering Doctoral Scholarship (NEDS), NTU Singapore Grants & Supervision: Dr. Zhao has secured multiple competitive grants, including ARC Discovery Projects and internal university funding, as both sole and chief investigator. She actively supervises research students and welcomes motivated candidates in mechanics, dynamics, and energy systems. Her lab, Dynamic Smart Structures and Energy Harvesting Lab , fosters innovation through experimental and computational research. She also contributes to teaching, including Mechanics of Solids II and Introduction to Aircraft Engineering. Lab & Team: She leads a dynamic research group focused on next-generation smart structures, supported by state-of-the-art facilities at UNSW. Her team develops novel materials and systems for sustainable energy and sensing, aiming to bridge the gap between fundamental science and real-world applications.
Sebastian Tornil Sin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Automatic Control at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (IRI), a joint center of UPC and CSIC. His work focuses on fault detection, diagnosis, and monitoring in industrial and water distribution systems. His research interests lie at the intersection of automatic control , data-driven modeling , and industrial applications . He specializes in leak detection and localization in water networks using sensor data, classifiers, and reasoning frameworks like Dempster-Shafer and Bayesian methods. His work also extends to sensor placement optimization and human-robot task design in academic environments. The recent publications (2017–2022) show a consistent focus on applying machine learning and control theory to real-world infrastructure problems, particularly in water networks. Trends include hybrid data-expert systems, classifier-based fault localization, and incremental sensor deployment strategies. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Sebastian Tornil Sin actively contributes to research through collaborations with experts such as V. Puig, J. Blesa, and A. Soldevila. While no formal advising or grant information is available, his extensive publication record in journals like IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology and Computers and Chemical Engineering indicates strong research leadership and project involvement. He is part of the research team at the Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (IRI) , where he contributes to projects in fault detection, monitoring systems, and robotics applications in industrial and urban infrastructure.
Professor Deborah Greaves is a leading academic in Ocean Engineering at the University of Plymouth, where she holds the position of Professor in the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics. She is Director of the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub and the Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) Laboratory, and served as Head of School from 2017 to 2022. Her work is central to advancing offshore renewable energy in the UK and globally. Her research focuses on offshore and marine renewable energy, particularly wave and tidal technologies, wave-structure interactions, and the integration of physical and numerical modelling. She leads major collaborative projects including the Collaborative Computational Project in Wave Structure Interaction (CCP-WSI) and PRIMaRE, and has secured significant funding from EPSRC, EU Interreg, H2020, and InnovateUK. Her research supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to affordable and clean energy and climate action. The 15 most recent articles reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research, combining engineering innovation with environmental sustainability, policy development, and public engagement. Her work spans fundamental hydrodynamics, technology development, commercialization challenges, and societal impact, with increasing emphasis on decarbonisation, net zero strategies, and inclusivity in engineering. Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), 2018 Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE) Deborah leads a large team of researchers and PhD students, securing over £20 million in research funding. She is deeply involved in mentoring and outreach, particularly in promoting gender diversity in engineering through initiatives like WISE and Supergen ORE’s EDI programs. She has advised numerous PhD students and leads multidisciplinary teams across academia and industry. She directs the COAST Engineering Research Group and the COAST Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility with wave basins and flumes for testing marine renewable technologies. She also leads the Supergen ORE Hub, a national consortium uniting universities and industry, and is instrumental in the development of the new Engineering and Design Facility at Plymouth, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering, computing, and design.
Ali Karrech is a Professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA), affiliated with the School of Engineering and the Department of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering (CEME). He previously held roles as Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO (until 2012) and Assistant Professor at the Petroleum Institute of Abu Dhabi (2007–2009). His expertise spans materials science, geomechanics, mineral processing, and sustainable resource engineering. He serves as Graduate Research Coordinator in CEME and has led the Structures Laboratory (2015–2016). Education: He holds a Higher Doctorate (Habilitation) in Engineering Sciences from École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay (2014), a PhD in Structures and Materials from École des Ponts ParisTech (2008), and a Multidisciplinary Master's from Tunisia Polytechnic School (2001). Research Interests: Focus on computational geomechanics, resource engineering (surface mining, in-situ leaching), mineral processing (hydrometallurgy), waste repurposing, and thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical coupling. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education, energy, and the built environment. Awards: Recognitions include the School of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award (2021), Prize of Best Paper in Concrete Research (2021), and CEEC High Commendations (2023). His research has produced over 194 publications and 20 grants. Teaching: Coordinates units like Engineering Materials (ENSC1004), Finite Element Method (GENG5514), and Surface Mining (MINE4503). Engages in interdisciplinary projects, including the ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources and the FBI-CRC for Future Batteries.
