Scipedia: Jifara Chimdi's colleagues

Benjamin Colucci

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 17:29:34 +0200

Currently I am the Director of the Transportation Technology Transfer Center (T²) and full professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) since 1978. I have a BSCE from UPRM, and a MSCE and a PhD in the transportation engineering area from Purdue University. I am a registered professional engineer in Puerto Rico and in Indiana. In December 2009, I finished the academic requirements to obtain a Juris Doctor, JD, from the Eugenio María de Hostos Law School in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

In the academic phase, I have taught undergraduate courses such as Highway Location and Curve Design, Highway Engineering, Structural Design of Pavements, Asphalt Mixtures, Pavement Management and Road Safety, among others.

I have presented the findings of several research projects in technical conferences in the United States, Central and South America, Spain, Portugal, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia and in technical committees of several international professional organizations of which I am a member.

I have received awards for my scientific contribution, achievement and productivity in the civil engineering and transportation of institutions such as Chi Epsilon, Sigma Xi, UPRM, CIAPR, Purdue University and UPR.

Dr. Leevesh Kumar

Sat, 08 May 2021 19:12:05 +0200

Dr. Leevesh Kumar—Associate Professor of Construction Engineering and Management

Dr. Leevesh Kumar is a distinguished academician and researcher with over 13 years of progressive experience in the field of civil and construction engineering across India, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and Bangladesh. Currently serving as an associate professor at the World University of Bangladesh and holding a concurrent part-time role with Liverpool John Moores University and the University of East London (UK), Dr. Kumar has built a diverse and global portfolio in higher education and construction technology research.

He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Career Point University (India), preceded by both M.Tech and B.Tech degrees in Civil Engineering from Bhagwant University. His educational foundation is complemented by a postgraduate diploma and several certifications from prestigious institutions like IIT Madras and NITTTR Chandigarh. Throughout his academic journey, Dr. Kumar has remained committed to advancing sustainable practices in the construction industry.

Dr. Kumar’s research focuses on sustainable construction materials, with specific interest in the mechanical and durability properties of concrete incorporating fly ash, sandstone slurry, demolition waste, and industrial by-products. His work has addressed critical aspects such as concrete permeability, aggregate size optimization, autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, and environmentally responsible material sourcing.

With over 22 research publications in indexed journals (SCI, Scopus, WoS), 10 conference papers, four authored books, and two patents—including one for an ARM7 Processor-based Highway Bridge Monitoring System—Dr. Kumar has made a substantial contribution to the advancement of sustainable civil engineering. Notable among his publications are studies published in Materials Today: Proceedings, Solid State Phenomena, and Advances in Materials Science and Engineering. His recent work explores the correlation between material properties and structural performance, especially in low-carbon construction contexts.

He has also actively participated in community outreach and interdisciplinary projects. While at Ambo University, Ethiopia, he received the University President’s Certificate of Appreciation for his involvement in soil testing for hospital construction and his support for housing initiatives for underserved communities. He was also recognized by the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia for conducting sessions on International Yoga Day in Ethiopia.

In academic leadership roles, Dr. Kumar has served as head of department, discipline in-charge, PG coordinator, and university exam coordinator/superintendent across multiple institutions. He has played a pivotal role in curriculum design, assessment methodology, faculty development, and student supervision. His teaching portfolio covers core and advanced topics including quantity surveying, concrete technology, smart and sustainable construction, construction economics, AutoCAD, Primavera, STAAD Pro, BIM, and engineering materials and equipment.

Dr. Kumar is an editorial board member and reviewer for several international journals and conferences and maintains active affiliations with leading professional bodies, including the Institution of Engineers (India). His commitment to lifelong learning is evident through his participation in multiple faculty development programs and specialized workshops on data analysis, GIS, geopolymer concrete, and emerging software tools in civil engineering.

Known for his disciplined teaching methods and student-centric approach, Dr. Kumar is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of civil engineers who are environmentally conscious, technologically adept, and globally competitive. His pedagogical style emphasizes immersive learning, continuous evaluation, and the practical application of engineering concepts to solve real-world problems.

Dr. Kumar’s current projects explore digital construction tools and AI-assisted concrete diagnostics, aligning with global trends in smart infrastructure and decarbonized urban development. With a passion for research, capacity building, and innovation in construction management, he continues to shape academic discourse and industry practice in South Asia and beyond.

Emer T. Quezon

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 15:22:07 +0100

To date, I have published at least 190 research papers in various renowned worldwide journals & repositories, including three co-authored books that can be seen on Google Scholar. I also advised numerous MSc & Ph.D. students for their research studies and have been invited to examine Theses' and dissertations' final presentations & defense at various universities in Ethiopia, Eastern Africa, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany, and the Philippines. I have been in academia for over 20 years, teaching courses in the Master's programs of Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management, Highway Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Road and Transport Engineering) in Ethiopia, Eastern Africa, and the Philippines. In addition, my 22 years of experience at the Department of Public Works and Highways, Region 02, Cagayan Valley Region, Philippines, have enhanced my knowledge and made me confident in presenting the actual situation during my class lectures and research work.

Joaquín Irazábal González

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:36:07 +0200

My professional career is being developed mainly in the field of calculation of structures using numerical methods.

Since November 2011 I work in the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) in Madrid developing research projects in Civil Engineering. The projects focus on the possibilities of using particle methods for the calculation of the behaviour of granular materials, specifically, the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) and the Discrete Element Method (DEM).

During my years at the CIMNE I studied the Master of Numerical Methods in Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and my PhD thesis entitled "Numerical analysis of railway ballast behaviour using the Discrete Element Method", presented on October 6, 2017, also at the UPC. The thesis, awarded the XVI Talgo Prize for Technological Innovation, was focused on the application of the Discrete Elements Method to the calculation of the behaviour of railway ballast.