Kathy Wen, a DPhil candidate at the University of Oxford 's Department of Engineering Science , holds a First Class BEng(Hons) in Civil Engineering from the University of New South Wales. She practiced as a geotechnical engineer in Sydney for two years before joining Oxford in 2019 under the WAMESS CDT program. Research Interests: Kathy's work focuses on geotechnical engineering , particularly small-strain stiffness parameters and offshore wind energy foundations . Her research utilizes advanced laboratory techniques to study soil behavior under cyclic loading, with applications in offshore infrastructure resilience. Key Article Trends: Her publications center on geotechnical challenges in offshore environments, including cyclic soil behavior, monopile foundations, chalk geology, and stiffness degradation mechanisms. These align with offshore wind farm development and marine engineering. Affiliation: Kathy is based at St Peter's College and collaborates with the Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering research group.
Sebastiano Foti is a Full Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he also serves as Vice-Rector for Teaching and Head of the Department of Structural, Building and Geotechnical Engineering (DISEG). He is a member of the Academic Senate and the University Committee for Research, Technology Transfer, and Services to the Territory, and contributes to the SISCON Interdepartmental Center for Infrastructure Safety. His academic and administrative leadership underscores his central role in Italian civil engineering education and research. Research Interests: Geotechnical earthquake engineering and seismic risk assessment Soil-structure interaction and dynamic behavior of bridges Surface wave methods for seismic site characterization Hydrogen and energy storage in geological formations Soil liquefaction and foundation scour His recent publications emphasize advancements in non-invasive geophysical methods, particularly surface wave analysis, with strong applications in seismic hazard mitigation and infrastructure resilience. The research spans theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and practical implementation in urban and environmental planning. Scientific Awards: Bishop Medal 2003, British Institution of Civil Engineers Honorable Mention, Best Paper in GEOPHYSICS, SEG (2011) 2018 Outstanding Paper Award, Earthquake Spectra (EERI) Foti actively supervises PhD students and leads major research initiatives, including PNRR-funded projects such as DREAM and RETURN, focusing on resilient infrastructure and multi-risk science. He has also led commercial and public-sector collaborations with entities like ANDRA, Unicredit, and the Italian Civil Protection Department, demonstrating strong industry and policy engagement. His advisory role extends to national and international institutions, including service as a Visiting Professor at Nagoya University. Laboratories and Research Teams: He leads research within DISEG, particularly in geotechnical earthquake engineering, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects involving seismic safety, energy storage, and sustainable urban development.
Nuno Correia Dos Santos is an Assistant Professor at Lusófona University – Porto (UL-CUP), where he also serves as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (FCNET) and Director of the Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. He holds a PhD and Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), where he began his research career. He is currently an external researcher at FEUP and collaborates with CONSTRUCT and CRGroup. His research centers on railway infrastructure , with a focus on structural dynamics , numerical modeling , and traffic-induced vibrations . Key concepts in his work include ground-structure interaction, dynamic amplification, and vibration mitigation. He has increasingly integrated UAV photogrammetry for infrastructure and building monitoring, showing a shift toward advanced remote sensing techniques. His recent publications (2015–2025) demonstrate a strong trend in modeling and validating 3D numerical simulations of railway vibrations, with applications in high-speed lines and urban environments. Emerging work highlights the use of drones for damage detection and infrastructure assessment, indicating a move toward digital and automated monitoring systems. Scientific Awards: Two awards and/or distinctions (specific names not provided) Advising and Grants: While no formal students are listed, he has participated as a researcher in multiple R&D projects before and after his PhD. His work is supported through institutional affiliations and research collaborations, particularly with CRGroup and CONSTRUCT. Laboratories and Research Teams: He is affiliated with the Civil Research Group (CRGroup) and is a collaborator at CONSTRUCT – Institute for R&D in Structures and Construction. These affiliations support his work in experimental validation, numerical modeling, and infrastructure resilience.
Dr. Hongyu Qin is a Lecturer in Civil Engineering at Flinders University's College of Science and Engineering. He holds a PhD from Griffith University, alongside a Master's from Hohai University and a Bachelor's from Zhengzhou University. As Discipline Lead for Civil Engineering Honours/Masters Thesis and Projects, he focuses on geotechnical engineering research, including geomaterial behavior, renewable energy pile foundations, and Measurement While Drilling (MWD). His work integrates industry collaboration, leading to innovations like an Engineering Calculator APP for foundation design. Notable grants include Flinders/Industry co-funded PhD scholarships and CSE Research Schemes. He has supervised students such as Chris Przibilla (2019 University Medal recipient). Recent research explores MWD and Machine Learning applications in geotechnics. Research Interests: Geotechnical Engineering, pile foundations for renewable energy, MWD technology, soil-structure interactions, and transportation infrastructure geotechnics. His projects address challenges in energy pile groups, dynamic pile responses, and slope stability. Key Awards: Flinders University CSE Workshop Support Scheme 2024 Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2006-2009) Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2006-2009) Teaching: Coordinates and lectures courses such as ENGR8932 Engineering Geology, ENGR8931 Geotechnical Engineering, and advanced foundation design modules. His teaching emphasizes practical application through workshops like the Investigative Drilling Workshop (2023), fostering industry-academia collaboration.
Dr. FENG Weiqiang is an Assistant Professor and PhD supervisor at the Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China. He received his PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2016, after completing a Master's at Zhejiang University and a Bachelor's at Central South University. His research bridges marine geotechnics with advanced computational and sensing technologies. PhD: Geotechnical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2011–2016) MSc: Geotechnical Engineering, Zhejiang University (2008–2011) BEng: Mining & Geotechnical Engineering, Central South University (2004–2008) Dr. Feng specializes in marine soil consolidation , elasto-viscoplastic constitutive modeling , and fiber optic geotechnical sensors . He pioneered a modified Cam-Clay model incorporating nonlinear loading-unloading and temperature effects , with applications in major projects like Hong Kong International Airport's Third Runway and the Tseung Kwan O reclamation. His fiber Bragg grating effective stress meter , licensed to NanZee Sensing Co., Ltd., represents the first global instrument for direct soil stress measurement. His publications (73 SCI papers, H-index 23) focus on submarine pipeline-soil interaction , robot safety systems , and offshore energy islands . Key trends include multi-physics coupling in geotechnical systems, machine learning integration for damage detection, and advanced sensing techniques for marine environments. 2024: Outstanding College Advisor Award, SUSTech 2023: Dual Outstanding Individual Awards (Student Recruitment & Party Affairs), SUSTech 2020: Shenzhen Municipal Government Category C Overseas High-Level Talent 2016: 'Ringo Yu' Best Doctoral Thesis, Hong Kong Institution of Civil Engineers 2007: National Scholarship, Ministry of Education, China Dr. Feng actively leads 5 research projects (including 1 National NSFC grant and 3 provincial/municipal grants), participates in over 10 national/Hong Kong SAR funded programs, and mentors prospective postdoctoral fellows, PhD, and master's students in geotechnical, mechanical, and environmental disciplines. His team develops intelligent geotechnical systems for offshore applications, including submarine robot safety frameworks and smart energy island infrastructure . Current collaborations span Canadian National Geotechnical Code implementation and Kunlong 500 tracked mining vehicle soil interaction studies.
Susan Faraji is a Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the Francis College of Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell. With over four decades of experience, she has established herself as a leading expert in structural engineering, particularly in the analysis and design of bridges and advanced structural mechanics. Education: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Structures and Applied Mechanics), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1983 M.S. in Structural Engineering, Northeastern University, 1979 B.S. in Structural Engineering, Arya-Mehr University, Tehran, Iran, 1979 Dr. Faraji's research focuses on integral abutment bridges, finite element modeling of structures, and the behavior of bridges through data collection and analysis. Her work bridges theoretical mechanics with practical engineering applications, contributing significantly to the design and safety of infrastructure. She has extensive industrial experience, collaborating with government agencies and consulting firms on diverse structural projects. Her publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from foundational theoretical work on shell/plate mechanics (1980s) to applied bridge engineering research (1990s-2000s), culminating in comprehensive textbooks and ongoing field monitoring projects. Current research emphasizes data-driven analysis of integral abutment bridge behavior under thermal and geometric variables. Scientific Awards: University Merit Award for Teaching, UMass Lowell University Merit Award for Service, UMass Lowell Dr. Faraji has secured substantial research funding from the US DOT, Massachusetts DOT, US Army Corps of Engineers, NCHRP, and NSF. Her sponsored projects include multi-year studies on integral abutment bridge behavior, seismic design methodologies, and structural analysis for infrastructure projects. She has mentored generations of engineers through her teaching and consulting practice, applying expertise to real-world challenges from tentage structures to major bridges. Her current work involves collaboration with HNTB Corporation on Vermont bridge monitoring and DOT-sponsored development of integral abutment bridge design guidelines, utilizing field instrumentation and data analysis teams for long-term structural assessment.
Shengli Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU), part of the LSU College of Engineering. His research focuses on geotechnical engineering, with expertise in soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and poromechanics. He specializes in numerical and analytical modeling of geomechanical systems, including wellbore stability, cavity expansion analysis, hydraulic fracturing, and geosynthetic-reinforced systems. His work integrates experimental methods and advanced computational techniques to address challenges in energy and infrastructure engineering. Dr. Chen’s research has explored topics such as the mechanical behavior of soils and rocks under various stress conditions, pore pressure effects, and the development of predictive models for subsurface engineering projects. His studies frequently involve collaborations with industry and academic partners to advance practical applications of geomechanical theories. He has contributed to the development of innovative sensors for stress measurement in soils and has published extensively on analytical solutions for geotechnical problems. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and is affiliated with LSU’s Patrick F. Taylor Hall in Baton Rouge, LA. His research outputs reflect a strong emphasis on bridging theoretical advancements with real-world engineering solutions.
Andrew Brennan is a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee, specializing in geotechnics. He holds a first-class Honours degree in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford (1999) and a PhD from the University of Cambridge (2004), focusing on earthquake-induced soil liquefaction. His research emphasizes dynamic soil behavior, seismic ground improvement, and offshore geotechnics, including applications in renewable energy. He has contributed to projects like the EU-funded NEMISREF initiative and led studies on liquefaction mitigation, seabed-pipeline interactions, and anchor systems for offshore renewables. Education: BEng (Oxford, 1999), PhD (Cambridge, 2004) Research Themes: Liquefaction, Centrifuge Modelling, Offshore Energy Infrastructure Key Projects: DRAGFORCE (floating wind anchors), Supergen Wind Challenge (screw piles) His work integrates physical modelling (1g/centrifuge) and field reconnaissance, such as post-earthquake assessments in Sulawesi (2018). He is a member of the EPSRC College and has received the 2023 Institution of Civil Engineers Geotechnical Research Medal. His teaching and research span geotechnical engineering, sustainability, and disaster resilience. Grants include EPSRC-funded initiatives on railway cost reduction (LOCORPS) and seismic resilience (Learning from Earthquakes). He actively participates in academic collaborations and outreach, including STEM events and hosting visiting scholars.
Kristina Thomassen is a Consultant at the Department of the Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Aalborg University. Her work focuses on geotechnical engineering, particularly soil-structure interaction under cyclic loading conditions in offshore wind foundations. Research interests include: Geotechnical risk analysis Offshore wind turbine foundations Cyclic loading effects on pile stability Soil degradation in deep water environments Sustainable infrastructure solutions for soft soils Laboratory-scale testing of geotechnical systems Her publications since 2009 demonstrate expertise in pile testing, soil mechanics, and offshore wind foundation dynamics, with experimental studies on sand-soil interactions dominating her work. Recent outputs include 2024 contributions to climate change adaptation in geotechnics. Collaborative projects (e.g., 2011-2014 PhD study on wind turbine foundations) highlight teamwork with colleagues like Lars Bo Ibsen and Lars V. Andersen. She has produced 22 total publications, including reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, and technical studies.
Dr. Aaron Bradshaw is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. His research focuses on marine geotechnics, soil-structure interaction, and dynamic properties of soils, with applications to offshore wind energy infrastructure and geotechnical hazards. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (URI, 2006), M.S. in Ocean Engineering (URI, 1999), and B.S. in Civil Engineering (Tufts University, 1996). His core research areas include: Offshore foundation systems for renewable energy Soil-anchor interaction mechanics Liquefaction behavior of marine sediments Geotechnical instrumentation and field monitoring Performance of infrastructure during earthquakes Bradshaw's recent publications demonstrate strong focus on offshore wind turbine foundations, anchor behavior in marine sediments, and advanced geotechnical monitoring techniques. His work frequently involves large-scale field testing and computational modeling of soil-structure systems. Awards: Young Professor Paper Award, Deep Foundations Institute (2015) Recent Grants: 2023: PI for DOE Phase IIB offshore site investigation tool 2022: Co-PI for CVOW Structural Monitoring Program 2022: PI for Triton Anchor commercialization 2021: Co-PI for physics-based digital twins project 2020: PI for Triton Anchor System development He leads multiple industry-collaborative projects focused on advancing offshore renewable energy infrastructure.
Dr James Talbot is a Senior Lecturer in the Dynamics & Vibration Group at the University of Cambridge Engineering Department. He serves as an Official Fellow of Peterhouse and Director of Studies for first-year Engineering undergraduates. His research focuses on ground-borne vibration analysis , structural integrity, and soil-structure interaction in buildings. Chartered Engineer Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Member of the Institute of Acoustics Director of the International Institute of Acoustics & Vibration Key research areas include: Vibration mitigation in urban infrastructure Base-isolation design for railway-induced vibrations Dynamic response of laminated glass under blast loads Condition monitoring for railway tracks and bridges Scientific contributions span 30+ years , with recent work advancing: Soil-structure interaction models High-strain-rate material testing Scour monitoring systems Flexible wheelset vibration analysis
Professor Oliver Reul serves as Head of the Department of Geotechnical Engineering within the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Kassel. His academic career spans over 30 years with significant contributions to foundation engineering and soil-structure interaction research. His leadership position indicates his prominence in the field of geotechnics within the German academic community. Professor Reul's research focuses on advanced foundation systems, particularly combined pile-raft foundations, soil-structure interaction, and numerical modeling of geotechnical systems. His work bridges theoretical understanding with practical engineering applications, addressing complex challenges in foundation design for high-rise buildings and infrastructure projects. His research has evolved from fundamental soil mechanics investigations to sophisticated numerical modeling approaches that incorporate time-dependent soil behavior and advanced constitutive models. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on practical applications of geotechnical engineering principles, with particular attention to foundation design in challenging soil conditions, especially in overconsolidated clays common in Frankfurt. His work demonstrates a consistent progression from experimental validation to numerical implementation, with increasing sophistication in modeling techniques including visco-hypoplastic material models and coupled calculations for rate-dependent soil behavior. Professor Reul has established himself as a leading expert in foundation engineering through his extensive publication record spanning multiple decades. His collaborations with international researchers, particularly with Randolph on pile-raft foundations, have contributed significantly to the advancement of foundation engineering practices worldwide. His academic leadership as Department Head demonstrates his commitment to advancing geotechnical engineering education and research. Professor Reul's work has practical implications for major infrastructure projects and high-rise construction, particularly in urban environments with challenging soil conditions.
GARINI EVANGELIA is an Assistant Professor in the School of Mineral Resources Engineering (MRE) at the Technical University of Crete (TUC). Her research focuses on seismic response analysis, geotechnical systems, and earthquake engineering. She is affiliated with the MRE department and can be contacted at egarini@tuc.gr . Her work emphasizes soil-structure interaction, dynamic structural behavior, and seismic hazard assessment in complex geotechnical environments. Her research interests span seismic response of retaining walls, soil amplification in urban areas like Mexico City, and the effects of near-fault ground motions on structures. She has conducted extensive studies on the 2023 Turkey earthquakes, 2017 Mexico City earthquakes, and the 2014 Cephalonia earthquakes, analyzing soil dynamics, structural damage mechanisms, and geotechnical instrumentation data. Her publications highlight numerical modeling, centrifuge experiments, and field reconnaissance to validate theoretical frameworks. She has contributed to international benchmarks like the PRENOLIN project for nonlinear site response analysis. Her work addresses critical challenges in geotechnical design under seismic loads, including inelastic systems and apparent seismic safety factors below conventional thresholds. Dr. Garini’s research often integrates GIS mapping, ground motion characterization, and historical case studies to improve seismic design codes and urban resilience strategies. Her findings emphasize the importance of considering site-specific soil properties and directivity effects in earthquake engineering practices.
David Mukai is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Wyoming's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering. His academic credentials include a B.S. (Magna Cum Laude) and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington. His research encompasses four interconnected domains: Theoretical Fracture Mechanics : Investigating interfacial cracks and subsurface fatigue cracks, with planned work on micro-thin layer responses. Reinforced Concrete : Focusing on self-compacting concrete behavior, constitutive modeling, and object-oriented programming applications for section analysis. Structural Rehabilitation : Pioneering heat-straightening repair techniques for steel beams and studying FRP degradation under environmental factors. Structural Monitoring : Developing durability assessment methods for retrofitted structures. His recent publications (2018–2025) predominantly explore advanced concrete technologies, seismic performance of structural elements, and computational modeling of reinforced concrete systems. Key trends include flexural behavior of precast systems, seismic resilience of walls and beams, and code-based verification of pile foundations. He has supervised two M.S. students in developing object-oriented libraries for reinforced concrete analysis. Collaborative research includes partnerships with mechanical engineering colleagues on FRP degradation studies and joint projects with Dr. Richard Avent on heat-straightening methodologies.
Dr. Joshua Omer is a Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering at the Department of Civil Engineering, Surveying and Construction Management, School of Built Environment and Geography, Kingston University. He holds a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, an MSc in Structural Engineering, and a BSc (1st Class Honours) in Civil Engineering, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). His roles include Acting School Director of Learning and Teaching and Departmental Exams and Assessment Tutor. Education: PhD in Geotechnical Engineering MSc in Structural Engineering BSc (1st Class Honours) in Civil Engineering His research focuses on geotechnical engineering, collapsible soils, lateritic soils, numerical analysis, offshore geotechnics, and application of AI/ML in construction. Recent projects include a UKRI-funded KTP partnership to develop AI-driven quality management systems for construction. Key trends in his publications (over 50 in total) include geotechnical challenges in collapsible soils, AI/ML applications in foundation analysis, seismic design, sustainable construction materials, and offshore wind turbine foundations. Awards include the Royal Society Industry Fellowship and the David Douglas Prize. Scientific Awards: Royal Society Industry Fellowship Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Research and Development Award David Douglas Prize and Lecture Association of Commonwealth Universities Doctoral Scholarship He supervises PhD students, delivers CPD courses (e.g., Eurocode 7, offshore wind foundations), and collaborates internationally with institutions in the UK, USA, India, and China. He serves on editorial boards of journals like the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering and Journal of Geo-engineering Case Studies , and participates in industry panels such as Pearson BTEC HE/FE Construction.
