Joannes Westerink is the Joseph and Nona Ahearn Professor in Computational Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame's College of Engineering. He holds concurrent faculty titles in the Departments of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Earth Sciences, Computer Science and Engineering, and other disciplines. His research focuses on computational fluid dynamics, tidal hydrodynamics, and hurricane storm surge prediction. He earned his Ph.D. from MIT in 1984, followed by M.S. and B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from SUNY Buffalo. Key research interests include finite element methods, coastal circulation modeling, and geophysical turbulence. In 2025, he was awarded the International Coastal Engineering Award for his contributions to storm surge forecasting and coastal hazard mitigation. Westerink leads the Computational Hydraulics Laboratory, advancing numerical models like STOFS (Surge and Tide Operational Forecast System) for global water level predictions. His recent work integrates AI-driven nudging techniques and machine learning to enhance model accuracy, with applications in disaster risk assessment and climate adaptation.
Dr. Agathoklis Giaralis is a Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering within the Department of Civil Engineering at the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, City, University of London. He earned his PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Rice University, USA, in 2008, following an MSc and a 5-year Diploma (Ptychion) in Structural Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK. PhD, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rice University, USA (2008) MSc, Seismic Design of Structures, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (2004) Ptychion (5 yr Diploma), Civil/Structural Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (2003) Dr. Giaralis's research is centered on nonlinear stochastic dynamics and time-frequency signal analysis , applied to critical areas such as earthquake engineering , seismic structural design and assessment , structural health monitoring (SHM) , and passive vibration control . His work is pioneering in the development and application of inerter-based vibration control systems, such as the Tuned Mass-Damper-Inerter (TMDI), for enhancing the resilience of structures. He also explores compressive sensing and low-power wireless sensors for sustainable SHM, as well as digital twinning and machine learning in wind engineering. His recent research has significant implications for offshore wind turbines and urban wind comfort. An analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent and cutting-edge research trajectory focused on the optimization and application of inerter-based devices for structural control. The work spans from developing analytical tuning formulas for TMDIs to conducting experimental validation on shaking tables and exploring novel applications in offshore wind turbines and composite floors. A strong emphasis is placed on performance-based design , uncertainty quantification , and practical implementation for real-world infrastructure. His scientific contributions have been recognized by prestigious awards, including the Fulbright Exchange Student Program scholarship for his PhD studies and a Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy . He is also a member of several leading professional organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Society for Earthquake and Civil Engineering Dynamics (SECED). Dr. Giaralis is actively involved in research funding and academic mentorship. He has secured significant grants from Innovate UK and the EPSRC to support his work on machine learning-based design and optimal inerter configurations. He supervises a cohort of PhD students whose theses focus on advanced topics like adaptive control of bridge joints, inerter-based energy harvesting, and seismic assessment using digital twins. He also leads the Smart Structures and Structural Health Monitoring Research Unit , driving collaborative research in smart infrastructure technologies.
Professor Zuheir Barsoum is a faculty member at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, serving as Vice Head (Research) in the Department of Engineering Mechanics. His research focuses on computational weld mechanics, fatigue assessment of materials, and structural integrity of welded joints. Key areas include high-frequency mechanical impact (HFMI) treatments for fatigue improvement, finite element analysis, and lightweight metal joining. Funded by VINNOVA, SSAB, Volvo, and others, his work addresses industrial challenges in structural durability. Current PhD students include Martin Edgren (bridge structural health monitoring), Mehdi Ghanadi (fatigue of high-strength steels), Yu Zhu (laser cladding simulations), and Kaushik Iyer (LCC modeling of welded structures). He teaches courses like Advanced Design of Welded Structures (SD2420) and oversees degree projects in Lightweight and Solid Mechanics. Notable achievements include the 2010 Henry Granjon Prize for fatigue design research. His startup Winteria AB commercializes digital quality assurance solutions for welding production, aligning with Industry 4.0 trends. Recent research emphasizes probabilistic fatigue modeling, machine learning for weld geometry analysis, and material defect characterization. Collaborations include Chalmers University and Swerim. His work bridges advanced manufacturing, computational mechanics, and industrial applications to enhance structural reliability and lifecycle cost optimization.
Dr. Xinshan Li is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield , affiliated with the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering . Her work bridges computational modeling and biomedical applications, focusing on musculoskeletal mechanics across pediatric and adult populations. PhD in Bioengineering (2011), Auckland Bioengineering Institute Research interests: continuum modeling of musculoskeletal systems, pediatric bone mechanics, fracture risk prediction using finite element analysis, pelvic floor biomechanics in childbirth, and medical image-based computational models. Key collaborations: University of Sheffield’s Digital Patient initiatives, Procter & Gamble, Hospital for Special Surgery, and international biomedical research teams. Her recent publications highlight applications of finite element analysis and musculoskeletal modeling in osteoporosis screening , childbirth mechanics , and infant bone development , with methodological innovations in deep learning-based image segmentation . Dr. Li’s work has no listed awards but emphasizes translational research, including pFIRE (parallel image registration framework) and agent-based modeling of skin stem cells. She collaborates extensively on CT/MRI data integration for clinical applications. Contact: Room 1312, Sir Frederick Mappin Building , Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK. Email: xinshan.li@sheffield.ac.uk .
Prof. Thomas Weiland is a Full Professor of Computational Electromagnetics at the Technische Universität Darmstadt since 1989. His research focuses on numerical methods, computational engineering, and multiphysics simulation techniques, particularly in accelerator physics and beam dynamics. He holds a Dr.-Ing. from TU Darmstadt and has held postdoctoral and research positions at CERN and TU Darmstadt. His work includes pioneering contributions to electromagnetic field simulations, including advanced finite element methods, discontinuous Galerkin techniques, and boundary element approaches. Education highlights include his Diplom in Electrical Engineering from TU Darmstadt (1975) and a Habilitation in Experimental Physics from the University of Hamburg (1984). His research spans computational electromagnetics, accelerator physics, and numerical methods for electromagnetic field problems. Notable areas of innovation include transparent boundary conditions, eigenmode calculations, and high-performance simulation frameworks for rotating systems and particle accelerators. His publications emphasize advancements in electromagnetic simulation tools, such as the MagPEEC method and Trefftz-discontinuous Galerkin approaches. Collaborative projects include modeling RF photoinjectors for light sources and electrohydrodynamic droplet dynamics. Technical contributions also extend to wake field analysis in particle accelerators and SAR distribution studies in bioelectromagnetics. Research interests further include multiphysics coupling (thermal-electromagnetic effects in surge arresters), stochastic modeling of electromagnetic systems, and field-circuit co-simulation techniques. His work addresses challenges in large-scale eigenvalue problems, adaptive mesh optimization, and high-precision numerical methods for complex geometries.
Wenbo Duan is a Senior Lecturer and MSc Programme Leader in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hertfordshire. He holds a PhD from the University of Manchester (2010) and previously served at Brunel University London as a Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, and Technical Advisor. His research focuses on advanced non-destructive testing techniques, including ultrasonic and guided wave methods, finite/spectral element modeling, and acoustic communication in industrial pipelines. He specializes in numerical simulations of wave propagation in complex media, defect detection, and signal processing innovations. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Manchester (2010) MSc in Engineering BSc (Distinguished) in Engineering Research Interests: Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Guided Wave Defect Detection Piezoelectric-Structure Coupling Acoustic Communication in Pipes Multiphysics Spectral Element Modeling Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis Key Projects (2021–2025): "Noise Cancelling for Powered Air Purifying Respirators" (PI) "Guided Wave Inspection in Fluid-Filled Wells" (PI) "Assessing the Impact of Strain on Temperature Readings" (Co-Investigator) Advisees & Grants: No specific advisees listed. Active in securing research funding for NDT and acoustics-related projects. Labs & Teams: Involved in the Centre for Engineering Research at the University of Hertfordshire, focusing on computational mechanics and industrial applications.
H.S. Udaykumar is the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty and Roy J. Carver Professor of Engineering in the University of Iowa's College of Engineering, with a primary appointment in Mechanical Engineering. He also serves as a Faculty Research Engineer at IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering. He joined the university in 1999 and holds leadership roles in research administration and academic governance. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida, 1994 MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida, 1990 Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, 1988 Research Focus: Dr. Udaykumar specializes in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), biofluid mechanics, and multi-scale modeling of energetic materials. His work emphasizes developing numerical methods for simulating shock-induced phenomena in complex materials, including pore collapse dynamics, shear band formation, and hotspot ignition. He integrates machine learning and AI to bridge atomistic, meso-scale, and continuum models for predictive material behavior analysis. Key Contributions: His recent work explores AI-driven frameworks for synthetic microstructure design, physics-aware neural networks for multiphase flows, and high-fidelity simulations of shock initiation in materials like HMX and RDX. He also investigates the application of heat pumps in decarbonization strategies for building thermal control. Awards & Memberships: Active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and Biomedical Engineering Society. His research has been published in over 200 peer-reviewed articles, with an h-index of 42 and 10,000+ citations (Google Scholar). Grants & Labs: Leads multi-million-dollar research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and Office of Naval Research. His lab focuses on computational methods, experimental validation, and AI integration in materials science and engineering.
Matt Allen is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU), within the College of Engineering. He previously held faculty positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Engineering Physics Department, progressing from Assistant to Associate to Full Professor. His research group, the BYU Structural Dynamics Research Group, is actively engaged in experimental and analytical studies of complex dynamic systems. Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (2005) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University (2001) Postdoctoral Appointee, Sandia National Laboratories (2005–2006) Dr. Allen’s research centers on structural dynamics, with a strong emphasis on nonlinear dynamics , experimental mechanics , and vibrations . His team develops innovative methods to characterize and model systems where traditional modeling fails—such as structures with large deformations, frictional joints, or complex interfaces. Key research thrusts include nonlinear normal modes, substructuring for nonlinear systems, damping characterization in bolted joints, and test-based model updating. His work bridges engineering structures and biomechanical systems, such as human gait dynamics. The research publications reflect a consistent focus on nonlinear structural dynamics , experimental system identification , and model validation . Trends show increasing integration of computational methods like harmonic balance and reduced-order modeling with experimental data, particularly for spacecraft, aircraft, and mechanical joints. The work is highly interdisciplinary, intersecting mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering. Dominick J. DeMichele Award, Society for Experimental Mechanics B. J. Lazan Award, Society for Experimental Mechanics NASA NESC Group Achievement Award for work on nonlinear joints in the MPCV Young Investigator Award, Air Force Office of Scientific Research Dr. Allen has advised numerous graduate students, many of whom appear as co-authors on publications. He has secured over $3.3 million in research funding as principal investigator, with total project funding exceeding $5.5 million when including funds managed by collaborators. He is actively involved in professional service, including editorial roles for Experimental Mechanics and Experimental Techniques , and leadership in the Society for Experimental Mechanics. He teaches core courses in dynamics, vibrations, and modeling at both BYU and previously at UW-Madison. He leads the BYU Structural Dynamics Research Group, which focuses on developing experimental and analytical tools for understanding complex dynamic behavior in engineering and biological systems. The group emphasizes rigorous validation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world application in aerospace, automotive, and biomechanical domains.
Ole Andre Øiseth is a Professor at the Department of Structural Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), specializing in structural dynamics with focus on bridges and marine structures. He leads the structural mechanics research group. Research Interests: Wind Engineering Bridge Aerodynamics Structural Health Monitoring Operational Modal Analysis Fluid-Structure Interaction Extreme Load Analysis Key Contributions: Developed nonlinear force models for bridge aerodynamics Advanced Kalman filter techniques for wind load identification Environmental contour methods for bridge design Automated monitoring systems for long-span bridges
Professor Albert Turon Travesa is a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Construction Engineering at the University of Girona (Spain), where he leads the Mechanics of Continuum Media and Theory of Structures research area. He serves as Head of Department and is affiliated with the AMADE research group. His research focuses on characterizing mechanical behavior of composite materials, developing non-deterministic modeling strategies for structural prediction, and advancing fatigue life estimation techniques. Key contributions include cohesive zone modeling, delamination growth analysis, and machine learning applications in materials science. He has authored over 100 top-tier journal papers, appears in Stanford's World Top 2% Scientists, and Research.com's Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering ranking. Awards include the 2022 ICREA Acadèmia grant and 2024 Air and Space Academy Medal for composite materials advancements in European aeronautics. His 15 most recent publications span fatigue modeling, delamination mechanics, and computational strategies, primarily applied to aerospace composites. Current work emphasizes probabilistic approaches, ply orientation effects, and residual strength prediction after damage accumulation. ICREA Acadèmia Award (2022) Air and Space Academy Medal (2024) Active collaborations with aeronautical industries include technology transfer projects on composite material implementation. His research combines experimental validation with numerical simulation to bridge theoretical modeling and industrial application.
Tümay Kadakci Koca is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Geology from Dokuz Eylül University (2021), an MSc in Applied Geology (2011), and a BSc in Geological Engineering from Hacettepe University (2009). Research Focus: Engineering geology, rock mechanics, slope stability analysis, geotechnical engineering, and soft computing applications in geological problems. Academic Contributions: Over 15 publications focusing on rock slope stability in mining operations, soil burn severity mapping post-wildfires, and geomechanical properties of sedimentary rocks. Scientific Recognition: Recipient of Kemal Erguvanlı Engineering Geology Award (2022) and Altın Çekiç Geology Research/Article Award (1900). Projects: Led TÜBİTAK-funded research on post-fire soil burn severity in Muğla, contributed to dam reservoir landslide analyses, and consulted for private mining projects in Turkey. Her work integrates numerical modeling with field studies, emphasizing Turkey-specific geological challenges and environmental impacts.
Marie Johansson is a Professor in Timber Engineering at the Department of Building Technology, Faculty of Technology, Linnaeus University. Her career spans teaching structural engineering in bachelor’s and master’s programs and leading research projects on wood quality, strength grading, and timber mechanics. Acting supervisor in two PhD projects Expert Team Leader for "Construction & Design" in BioInnovation SIO-programme Research Interests : Wood material properties (shape stability, stiffness, strength) Connection technology in timber structures Climate change adaptation in agriculture (Öland, Sweden) Modular multi-storey timber buildings Fiber orientation modeling for strength prediction Publication Trends : Recent work focuses on wind-induced vibrations in tall timber structures, 3D fiber orientation models, genetic selection for timber traits, and non-destructive evaluation of wood properties. Collaborations with international conferences (WCTE, ICEM) and institutions highlight her contributions to wood science and sustainable construction. Research Groups : Leads the Wood Building Technology group, emphasizing applied mechanics and industrialized timber construction.
Anthony (Tony) Brizendine is a Professor in the Civil Engineering Technology department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte , specializing in geotechnical engineering, risk analysis, and educational pedagogy. His career spans decades of research, teaching, and industry collaboration. Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, West Virginia University M.S. in Civil Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University B.S. in Civil Engineering Technology, Bluefield State College (Summa Cum Laude) Brizendine's research focuses on geotechnical engineering (earth structures, risk analysis, probabilistic modeling) and educational pedagogy (curriculum development, outcomes assessment, accreditation criteria). He has pioneered innovative teaching methods and workforce training programs. His publications emphasize engineering education reform , software integration in teaching , and risk-based analysis of infrastructure . Awards include the PIC Best Paper Award (2003) and two BEST PAPER Award nominations (1998, 1999). Brizendine has led or co-led numerous grants, including NSF-funded projects for diversity in engineering technology and DOE-funded initiatives for energy building operator training. He is a Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Professional Land Surveyor (P.L.S.) in Virginia.
Prof. Dr. Yiğit Karpat is a faculty member at Bilkent University with a joint appointment in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. He leads research at the Micro System Design and Manufacturing Center and collaborates with UNAM (National Nanotechnology Center). Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, Rutgers University (2007) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Middle East Technical University (2000) B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Dokuz Eylul University (1996) His research focuses on precision manufacturing, micro machining, and composite material processing, particularly for CFRP and titanium alloys. Key interests include: Digital twin modeling for machining processes Surface integrity analysis Friction and wear in micro cutting Tool design optimization Additive manufacturing integration Recent publications analyze micro-scale process mechanics and surface integrity in silicon and titanium machining. Current projects funded by TÜBİTAK and TAI include: Development of digital process twin for micro milling (TÜBİTAK 1001, 2024-2026) Ductile mode machining of silicon (TÜBİTAK 1001, 2019-2021) Brittle material machining with nanostructured tools (TÜBİTAK 1001, 2015-2017) He supervises both M.Sc and Ph.D students while serving on multiple TÜBİTAK and defense industry projects.
Juan Antonio Corrales Ramón is a Research Fellow at the University of Santiago de Compostela's CiTIUS laboratory under the prestigious Beatriz Galindo program. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor at Sigma Clermont Engineering School (2014-2020) and conducted research at UPMC/ISIR in France. His academic credentials include a PhD in Automatic Control and Robotics (2011) and a Computer Engineering degree (2005) from the University of Alicante. Dr. Corrales' research centers on robotics with specialized interests in: Human-robot physical interaction for industrial applications Deformable object manipulation and control theory Tactile sensing technologies and sensor fusion Robotic grasping and in-hand manipulation Multi-robot coordination systems His recent publications demonstrate strong focus on adaptive control systems for deformable objects, tactile sensor development, and human-robot collaboration frameworks. He has participated in significant EU projects including: H2020 SoftManBot (soft material handling) H2020 Bots2Rec (recycling robotics) FUI Aerostrip (aerospace applications) Sudoe Commandia (service robotics) Honors include competitive fellowships: FPU Program Fellowship (Spanish Ministry of Education) Beatriz Galindo Program Fellowship (research excellence) At CiTIUS laboratory, he contributes to advanced robotics research with applications in industrial automation, healthcare, and agricultural robotics.
