A U.S. citizen and Full Professor & Chair at the Department of Engineering, Lancaster University (UK, since 2010), holding a PhD in Civil Engineering (University of Alabama, Huntsville, 2001), MSc in Civil Engineering (Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, France, 1996), and BSc in Civil Engineering (University of Sherbrooke, Canada, 1994).
Specializing in smart low-carbon structural materials, energy harvesting from civil infrastructure, and AI-based infrastructure monitoring, they are ranked among the world’s top 2% influential scientists (2021). They hold multiple patents (e.g., smart cementitious composites, structural health monitoring paint), secured over $10M in grants (NSF, EU H2020, UK DOT), and published 100+ peer-reviewed papers. They have supervised 80+ graduate students/postdocs, founded MSc programs, and established high-tech labs worth $2M. Previously, they served as Associate Professor at U.S. universities (North Dakota State University, Alabama A&M University) and led research themes in European smart urban infrastructure consortia. They also contribute to editorial boards and NSF grant reviews.