Professor Peggi L. Clouston at University of Massachusetts Amherst specializes in timber engineering and bio-based composite materials. Affiliated with the School of Earth and Sustainability's Environmental Conservation department, she has over 30 years of experience in structural behavior research and teaching. Registered professional engineer (EGBC) Associate Editor, ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering Led 2016 Massive Timber Dome project at UMass Fine Arts Center plaza Her research focuses on advanced wood materials, including CLT panels from low-value species, timber-concrete composite floor systems, and laminated veneer bamboo connections. She teaches structural timber design, bio-based composites, and material mechanics to architects, engineers, and building technologists.
Dr. Srishti Banerji is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Utah State University and Director of the Systems, Materials, and Structural Health (SMASH) Lab. She leads research on advanced construction materials, structural resilience under extreme loads (particularly fire), sustainable infrastructure, and structural health monitoring. Her group focuses on experimental testing, numerical simulations, and developing design solutions for civil infrastructure. Education: PhD in Civil (Structural) Engineering, Michigan State University (2021) MS in Civil (Structural) Engineering, Concordia University (2016) BS in Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Silchar (2013) Research Focus: Her work spans: 1) Characterization of high-performance/sustainable materials (e.g., UHPC, recycled glass pozzolan), 2) Structural behavior under fire exposure, 3) Integration of electric charging systems in concrete pavements, 4) Non-destructive testing and structural health monitoring, and 5) Retrofitting techniques for infrastructure strengthening. She employs machine learning, thermo-mechanical modeling, and full-scale experimentation. Publication Trends: Her 13+ journal articles primarily analyze fire resistance of concrete/timber structures, UHPC material properties at high temperatures, sensor-based infrastructure monitoring, and sustainable material development. Recent works increasingly incorporate machine learning and electrification concepts. Awards & Honors: Teacher of the Year (USU, 2025) ASCE ExCEEd Faculty Teaching Fellowship (2023) Top Cited Article Award, Fire and Materials Journal (2023) SHMII-11 Early Career Grant (2022) NSERC Scholarship (2015) Best Conference Paper (SEC 2016) Current Projects & Teams: She leads 5+ funded projects including fire performance of polymer concrete, self-healing concrete for bridges, and Utah-sourced UHPC development. Mentees include 3 PhD students (Abdullah Al Sarfin, Mehrnoosh Nazari, Mahmoud Ali) and alumni working on sustainable materials and additive manufacturing.
Dr. Andrew Lacey is a Lecturer at the School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University (Perth campus), within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds a BE(Hons) from the University of Western Australia and a PhD from Curtin University. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and a Member of Engineers Australia (MIEAust). His research focuses on affordable, resilient, and environmentally friendly structural systems, particularly in modular steel construction, sustainable materials, and structural response to dynamic loads. Key areas include prefabricated modular structures, inter-module connections, CO2 mineralization concrete, and lightweight wall panels. His work bridges experimental testing, numerical modeling, and practical applications in sustainable infrastructure development. Dr. Lacey’s publications emphasize modular building systems’ structural performance under wind, earthquake, and other dynamic loads. Notable 2025 contributions include reviews on volumetric mining structures and CO2-mixing concrete optimization. His research also addresses challenges in delignification detection in timber components and GFRP connector performance in composite panels. He teaches engineering mechanics, structural analysis, and structural dynamics. His professional networks include ORCID (0000-0003-1171-5282), Google Scholar, and LinkedIn profiles.
Professor Mikko Malaska is a faculty member at the Department of Civil Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, leading the Structural Fire Research Group. He holds a D.Sc. (Tech.) and has held professorial roles at both the University of Oulu (2009–2015) and Tampere University of Technology since 2015. His research focuses on structural engineering, fire safety of composite materials, and steel-concrete systems. Malaska has extensive industry experience as a Chartered Engineer in the UK and has contributed to reviving structural engineering education at the University of Oulu. Educations: Graduated from Helsinki University of Technology (1996), earned a PhD in Civil Engineering (2001), and conducted postdoctoral research at TNO Building and Construction Research Centre (Netherlands). Research interests include fire performance of structural components, composite materials, and fire engineering standards. His work emphasizes experimental and computational analysis of materials under fire conditions, such as steel-timber hybrids and cross-laminated timber. Recent studies explore sprinkler system integration and charring rates in timber panels. Advising and grants: Supervised 58 theses at the University of Oulu and remains active in academic leadership, including serving as Dean of Education at the Faculty of Technology (2014). His research group actively collaborates on international projects, addressing fire safety in construction materials. Labs/Teams: Head of the Structural Fire Research Group, focusing on experimental and computational studies of fire-resistant materials and structural systems.
Florian Brosch is a Researcher at the Institute of Green Civil Engineering , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) . He holds a Dipl.-Ing. B.Sc. in Environmental Engineering and Water Management, earned between 2014 and 2021. His work focuses on sustainable construction techniques , particularly timber-concrete composite systems and high-performance concrete (UHPC) . His research integrates experimental testing and numerical modeling to optimize structural performance. Recent publications highlight advancements in adhesive bonding for timber-concrete composites, resource-efficient ceiling systems, and shear strength analysis of glue lines. Collaborative projects include pilot implementations bridging lab findings to real-world applications. Scientific Awards : 2021: VCE Innovationspreis für Exzellenzforschung im Ingenieurbau
Bassem O Andrawes is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). His research focuses on innovative materials like shape memory alloys (SMAs) and their applications in civil infrastructure, including reinforced concrete, bridge engineering, and structural rehabilitation. He has been recognized with prestigious awards including the ASCE Fellow (2024) and NSF CAREER Award (2011). Key research interests include: Active confinement and prestressing systems using SMAs Structural health monitoring and data-driven performance evaluation Bridge deck and girder analysis under dynamic and static loads Sustainable solutions for mass timber and concrete structures Recent work highlights include developing adaptive prestressing systems for concrete crossties, SMA-based crack healing for concrete structures, and digital twin models for bridge monitoring. His studies bridge materials science with civil engineering applications, emphasizing durability and resilience in infrastructure systems. Notable achievements include over 100 peer-reviewed publications and leadership in projects addressing seismic retrofitting, FRP composites, and material testing integrated (MTI) simulation paradigms. Collaborations span academia and industry, focusing on practical solutions for infrastructure challenges.
Dr. Amar Khennane serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra campus within the School of Engineering and Information Technology. His academic career spans multiple institutions including previous appointments as Maitre de Conferences in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria, Research Associate in Newcastle, Australia, and Lecturer/Senior Lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). His research interests focus on sustainable construction materials, particularly bio-cementitious materials, composite materials, timber engineering, reinforced concrete, and hybrid structures. Dr. Khennane has published extensively in these fields with 47 peer-reviewed journal papers, 33 conference papers, 6 other publications, and 2 books including the widely recognized "Introduction to Finite Element Analysis Using MATLAB (R) and Abaqus" (2013). His recent work emphasizes recycling timber waste into geopolymer cement composites, sustainable wood-geopolymer masonry units, and fire response of timber structures. His scholarly output shows a clear trend toward sustainable construction materials and advanced structural analysis techniques, with significant contributions in finite element modeling, seismic performance evaluation, and fire resistance of composite structures. The majority of his recent publications (2020-2024) focus on developing sustainable building materials using recycled components and analyzing structural behavior under various loading conditions. Dr. Khennane actively contributes to engineering education through teaching courses in Structural Analysis, Finite Element Method, Reinforced Concrete, and Stress/Strain Analysis. His educational background includes authoring textbooks that bridge theoretical concepts with practical computational tools like MATLAB and Abaqus.
Associate Professor David Lange serves as Deputy Director of Higher Degree by Research at the School of Civil Engineering , University of Queensland . With academic qualifications from the University of Edinburgh (PhD and MSc), he specializes in fire safety engineering and structural engineering , focusing on timber buildings, lithium-ion battery fire safety, and risk analysis techniques. Chartered Engineer (CPEng), Fellow of Engineers Australia (FIEAust) Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) APEC Engineer and International Professional Engineer (IntPE) His research explores fire behavior in mass timber structures , vertical fire spread , and infrastructure resilience . Publications highlight his expertise in probabilistic modeling, fire dynamics, and structural response to extreme conditions. Recent collaborative studies examine flame spread in ventilated façades, compartment fire behavior, and risk evaluation frameworks. He actively supervises PhD projects in areas like fire safety of low-carbon concrete, diagrid structures, and physics-informed machine learning for fire modeling.
Bunji Izumi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture and Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Design, NTNU, supported by the Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Lectureship. He holds a Dipl.-Ing., M.Sc., and B.Eng., and is a registered architect in Japan. His career includes roles at Nikken Sekkei Ltd. (Tokyo) as Senior Computational Designer and Associate in Structural Design, and at Driendl Architects in Vienna, Austria. His research focuses on structural engineering, timber-steel composite systems, fire safety, digital design, and sustainable architecture. Key areas include optimization methods in architectural design, circular timber structures, and interdisciplinary collaboration between architects and engineers. Publications highlight work on foldable canopies, fire-resistant composites, BIM integration, and structural education reforms. He contributes to exhibitions like IASS 2019 and collaborates on projects such as the Shogakukan Building and Vienna Indoor Swimming Pool. His educational background includes postgraduate studies at TU Vienna and the University of Tokyo, emphasizing structural design and timber engineering. Current research trends emphasize sustainability, circular design, and computational workflows.
Tsz Yan Ng is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, affiliated with the Center for Japanese Studies. Her work bridges architecture, art, and material innovation, focusing on textile manipulation, experimental concrete forming, and labor studies. She holds a Master of Architecture from SUNY Buffalo and Cornell University. Education: Master of Architecture II, Cornell University Master of Architecture & Bachelor of Professional Studies, SUNY Buffalo Research & Awards: Notable projects include Robotic Needle Felting (Architect Magazine R+D Award) and concrete 3D printing (AIA Upjohn Grant). Awards include the ARCC New Researcher Award (2020) and Emerging Voices 2022 (Architectural League of New York). Key Contributions: Her work explores labor in manufacturing, digital fabrication, and sustainable materials. Recent projects include the SPLAM timber pavilion and co-editing Twisted (Actar Publishing, 2018). She co-organized the From Lab to Site: Innovations in Concrete symposium (2019). Teaching: Courses include Fabrication and Sartorial Architecture , emphasizing hands-on material experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Cameron Murray is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas. He specializes in concrete research with a focus on alternative cement technologies, particularly belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement, and prestressed concrete structures. Dr. Murray directs a research group that investigates rapid-setting concrete materials for infrastructure repair and bridge engineering applications. His work bridges fundamental material science with practical engineering solutions for transportation infrastructure. Dr. Murray's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma (2017) M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas (2014) B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas (2012) Dr. Murray's research focuses on innovative concrete technologies with particular emphasis on alternative cementitious materials that offer environmental benefits and rapid-setting properties. His work explores the structural applications of belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement for infrastructure repair, prestressed concrete systems, and bridge engineering. He investigates material properties, durability mechanisms, and structural performance to develop practical solutions for transportation infrastructure challenges. His research addresses critical issues such as early-age concrete behavior, corrosion resistance, and sustainable construction practices that reduce carbon emissions in the concrete industry. Analysis of Dr. Murray's recent publications reveals a strong focus on alternative cement technologies, particularly belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement and its structural applications. His work spans material characterization, structural performance testing, and practical implementation in transportation infrastructure. Key research themes include rapid-setting concrete for infrastructure repair, prestressed concrete behavior, and sustainable concrete technologies with reduced carbon footprints. His publications demonstrate a progression from fundamental material studies to applied research addressing real-world infrastructure challenges, particularly in bridge engineering and rapid repair applications. Dr. Murray has received significant recognition for his teaching and research contributions: Department's outstanding teacher award (three times) College of Engineering Rising Teacher Award (2022-23) ACI Walter P Moore, Jr. Faculty Achievement Award (2022) Dr. Murray has successfully mentored numerous graduate students through their research projects, with a particular focus on concrete technology and structural engineering applications. His research group has secured substantial external funding totaling $6.2 million as PI or Co-PI, with additional $650,000 in equipment donations. Current funding sources include state DOTs, concrete industry groups, private industry, and federal agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers. His projects address critical infrastructure needs including rapid bridge deployment systems, alternative cement technologies, and concrete durability solutions. Dr. Murray directs the Concrete Research Laboratory at the University of Arkansas, located at the Grady Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC). The laboratory features a 20,000 sq. ft. high-bay testing area with a 100 ft. by 40 ft. strong floor, capable of handling large-scale structural testing. The facility includes specialized equipment for concrete material characterization, structural testing of reinforced and prestressed concrete members, and environmental monitoring systems. His research team collaborates with industry partners including Coreslab Structures and government agencies to address practical infrastructure challenges.
Professor Chien Ming Wang is the Transport and Main Roads Chair Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Queensland (UQ) since 2017. He also holds an Adjunct Professor position at Monash University and contributes to the Centre for Marine Science within UQ’s Faculty of Science. Alumnus of the Year 2015, Monash University Chartered Structural Engineer Educational Background : Bachelor of Civil Engineering (First Class Honours), Monash University, 1978 M.Eng.Sc. and Ph.D., Monash University, 1980 & 1982 Research Focus : Pioneering Very Large Floating Structures (VLFS) with applications in floating bridges, oil storage, and aquaculture systems. His work spans structural stability, vibration analysis, optimization of arches, and nonlocal theories for nanostructures. He developed Hencky bar-chain models and Shooting-Optimization Technique for boundary value problems. Scientific Leadership : Authored 500+ journal papers, 6 books, and 4 edited volumes with over 26,000 citations. Led $10M+ in industrial projects including Blue Economy CRC initiatives. Holds multiple patents in floating structures and aquaculture systems. 2019 Nishino Medal 2019 JN Reddy Medal IStructE Singapore Structural Award for Sustainability 2016 Minister of National Development R&D Special Mention 2017 Advising & Collaborations : Supervised 28 PhD and 20 MEng students, including work with NUS , SINTEF , and PolyU . Current projects involve offshore seaweed farms, self-healing concrete, and hybrid timber-cardboard composites.
Dr. Fernanda Belizario Silva is a Lecturer at ETH Zürich's Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, specializing in Sustainable Construction. She holds a PhD from the University of São Paulo, with research stays at the Fraunhofer Institute and ETH Zürich. Her work focuses on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies for decision support, particularly in simplifying LCA tools for developing countries like Brazil. She developed the Sidac system, a streamlined LCA tool for construction products, and contributed to life cycle inventories for Brazilian cementitious products in the ecoinvent database. Education: Bachelor's in Civil Engineering (2008), Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo Master's in Construction Process Planning (2012), University of São Paulo PhD in Sustainable Construction and LCA (2023), University of São Paulo Research Interests: Embodied environmental impacts of buildings Simplified LCA methods for developing nations Carbon footprint reduction in construction materials Hygrothermal behavior of construction systems Her recent articles explore carbon savings in concrete structures, recycled asphalt strategies, and CO2 footprints of building materials. She collaborates with industry partners to bridge research and practical sustainability solutions. Currently, she holds a postdoctoral position at ETH Zürich's Chair of Sustainable Construction. Professional Affiliations: Member of RILEM (International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials).
Dr. Richard Sause is the Joseph T. Stuart Professor of Structural Engineering and Director of the Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) Center at Lehigh University's Civil & Environmental Engineering department. His research focuses on seismic-resistant steel/concrete structures, bridge systems, and passive damping technologies, with over 60 research projects totaling $50M+ and leadership of multi-million-dollar programs. As ATLSS Director, he oversees $6M annual expenditures and a 25-person team. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley; B.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Teaching includes Structural Dynamics, Steel Design, and Earthquake Engineering. He has supervised 23 Ph.D. and 39 M.S. students, many now faculty at top universities. Notable awards include the Raymond C. Reese Research Prize (2009), J. James R. Croes Medal (2007), and Charles C. Zollman Award (2006). His work includes demonstration bridges using high-performance steel and leadership in the NHERI Lehigh Experimental Facility. Recent grants include a $12M DOE initiative for marine energy and a $1M NSF grant for floating wind turbines. His research spans offshore energy systems, timber structures, and advanced testing methodologies, emphasizing resilience and sustainability.
Nancy Larson Varney serves as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northeastern University, a position she assumed in August 2023. Her academic career focuses on advancing structural engineering education and sustainable infrastructure practices. Education: PhD in Structural Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2013 MS in Structural Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2010 BS in Civil Engineering, Lehigh University, 2008 Research Interests: Dr. Varney's research centers on structural engineering with specialized expertise in concrete structures, structural safety mechanisms, and sustainable resource engineering. She investigates critical infrastructure vulnerabilities through civil infrastructure security frameworks while pioneering sustainable construction methodologies. Her experimental work on inverted-T beams and mass timber systems directly addresses durability challenges in modern infrastructure, including alkali-silica reaction and delayed ettringite formation in prestressed concrete elements. Publication Trends: Her scholarly output (2012-2018) demonstrates consistent focus on structural performance validation through experimental and analytical approaches. Key research trajectories include concrete-steel composite systems, innovative timber construction techniques, and durability assessment of critical structural components. Publications in ACI Structural Journal and PCI Journal reflect her industry-relevant contributions to design standards and safety protocols, with increasing emphasis on sustainable materials integration. Professional Affiliations: Active membership in the American Concrete Institute, American Institute of Steel Construction, and American Society of Civil Engineers Structural Engineering Institute enables cross-sector collaboration on code development and structural safety initiatives. Professional Recognition: Licensed as a Professional Engineer in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and Structural Engineer in Hawaii, Dr. Varney maintains active industry engagement through technical committees. No specific scientific awards or student advisees were documented in available materials, and grant funding details remain unspecified.
