Research Topic:
Statistical Analysis in PBEE of Bridges
Saurabh Singhal
Ph.D. Candidate
singhal1@uci.edu WebPage linkedin
Saurabh has a rich background in structural engineering, including Structural Analysis and Design of Buildings and Gravity dams, Performance Bases Earthquake Engineering, Risk and Reliability Analysis and Seismic Design of Structures. He is proficient in statistical analysis, including machine learning techniques. His research focuses on the PBEE of bridge structures.
Former Members
Research Topic:
Column Base
Connections with
Stiffeners
Niloufar Behboud
Former Graduate Student (2018-2024)
nbehboud@uci.edu WebPage linkedin
Niloufar is a Structural Engineering Ph.D. student who specializes in structural steel connections. Niloufar’s expertise encompasses all aspects of steel structure design, detailing and construction requirements in seismic zones. She is working on experimental and analytical aspects of stiffened column base connections.
Research Topic:
Statistical Analysis in PBEE
Jawad Fayaz
Former Graduate Student (2017-2021)
jfayaz@uci.edu WebPage linkedin
Jawad has a broad-based engineering background in the areas of Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering, Risk and Reliability Analysis, Ground Motion Analysis, Seismic Design of Structures, and Problem-solving. He is proficient with the tools and techniques of Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning and Deep Learning. He is determined to implement earned skills and knowledge for the rapid mitigation of hazards posed by Earthquakes.
Research Topic:
Performance Prediction Equations
Marta De Bortoli
Former Graduate Student (2014-2021)
Currently: Engineer at Arup
Areas of expertise include bridge and building structural analysis, seismic design of structures, probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, ground motion selection, and modification. She has extensive experience in structural modeling, data analysis, and engineering optimization techniques. Marta is currently working as a Bridge Engineer at Arup.
Research Topic:
Damping Models for Buildings
Yijun (Jim) Xiang
Former Graduate Student (2013-2020)
Jim specializes in building and bridge structure modeling, seismic design of structures, seismic hazard analysis, ground motion signal analysis, and engineering optimization techniques. He is proficient in statistical analysis including machine learning techniques.
Research Topic:
Performance-Based Assessment of Bridge Structures
Dr. Wooseok Kim
Former Visiting Scholar (2019-20)
Currently: Associate Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at Chungnam National University
Dr. WooSeok Kim earned his Ph.D. from Penn State Univ. After finishing his Ph.D. study, he worked, as a bridge design engineer, at Parsons Brinckerhoff. He is an Associate Professor at Chungnam National Univ. in South Korea since 2011 and joined PBEE Lab as a visiting research associate in 2019. His research interest includes design and analysis of bridges, bridge maintenance, preservation and management, risk and uncertainty analysis, and force protection.
Research Topic:
Source-Based Ground Motion Simulation Validation (Buildings)
Huda Munjy
Former Graduate Student (2013-2019)
Currently: Assistant Professor, California State University, Fullerton
Huda specializes in statical analysis, seismic design of structures, seismic hazard analysis, and engineering optimization techniques.
Research Topic:
Site-Based Ground Motion Simulation Validation
Sarah Azar
Former Visiting Scholar (2018-19)
Currently: Ph.D. Candidate, American University of Beirut
Sarah’s areas of experience include earthquake hazard analysis and ground motion interpretation. Her research interests lie in the field of performance-based earthquake engineering, seismic risk assessment, and structural reliability. Sarah is skilled in statistical analysis and structural modeling and conversant with different programming languages.
Research Topic:
Column Base Connections, SMRFs
Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas
Former Graduate Student (2014-2018)
Currently: Assistant Professor, Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Pablo is experienced and knowledgeable in the theories and principles of Structural Engineering. He is interested in the development of analytical models for steel structure components and systems for Earthquake Engineering.
Research Topic:
Mega-thrust Earthquakes, Ground Motion Duration
Miguel Medalla Riquelme
Former Visiting Scholar (2017-2018)
Currently: Ph.D. Candidate, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
mmedalla@ing.puc.cl WebPage linkedin
Miguel is an SE, MEng, PhD (c) with more than 10 years of practical experience in seismic design of structures and 5 years teaching undergraduate and graduate courses of structural design. His work emphasizes in the seismic design of steel building for industrial facilities (mining, cellulose, port, etc.). Miguel gathers experience in traditional seismic design and advanced seismic design (Isolation and dissipation seismic device). In terms of research, Miguel has experience in PBEE (design, modeling, analysis, reliability) of steel structures subjected to crustal and long duration megathrust subduction earthquakes.
Research Topic:
Simulation of Soil-Structure Interaction
Shaghayegh Vaseghiamiri
Former Visiting Scholar (2018)
Currently: Ph.D. Student, Sharif University of Technology
Research Topic:
Ground Motion Simulation Validation (Bridges)
Rachelle Habchi
Former Graduate Student (2015-2017)
Currently: Junior Engineer, Saiful Bouquet Structural Engineers
Research Topic:
PBEE of Bridges
Dr. Bahareh Mobasher
Former Graduate Student (2010-2016)
Currently: Bridge Engineer, Caltrans
Bahareh.Mobasher@dot.ca.gov linkedin
Bahareh’s research focused on the quantification of California ordinary bridge performance variability modeling uncertainties. She developed modeling techniques for capturing the main aspects of the behavior of the exterior shear keys, and the effect of soil pile structure interaction on bridge response. She has been working at STV focusing on California high-speed rail projects. She joined Arup’s Los Angeles office as a full-time Bridge/Structural Engineer and recently joined Caltrans as a bridge engineer.
Research Topic:
Source-Based Ground Motion Simulation Validation (Buildings)
Research Topic:
Downtime in Highway Network Due to Seismic Activity
Preetish Kakoty
Former Graduate Student (2015-2017)
Currently: Ph.D. Student, University of British Columbia
Research Topic:
Performance-Based Design of Bridges for Loss Metrics
Research Topic:
PBEE for Bridges
Shayan Sheikhakbari
Former Graduate Student (2014-2016)
Currently: Graduate Student, University of Southern California
Research Topic:
Effect of Vertical Component of GMs on Tall Buildings
Shima Ebrahimi
Former Graduate Student (2014-2016)
Currently: Engineer, Saiful/Bouquet Structural Engineers
Research Topic:
Source-Based Ground Motion Simulation Validation (Waveforms and Buildings)
Dr. Peng Zhong
Former Graduate Student (2008-2016)
Currently: Project Vice General Manager, Country Garden Inc.
Research Topic:
Developing Efficient Algorithms for Building Loss Modeling
Dr. Omid Esmaili, P.E.
Former Graduate Student (2009-2014)
Currently: Structural Engineer at IMEG Corp
Research Topic:
PBEE of Bridges
Dr. Roshanak Omrani
Former Post-Doctoral Fellow (2012-2014)
Currently: Data Scientist, Ingram Micro Inc.
Research Topic:
Quantification of Building Modal and Stiffness Properties
Angie Harris
Former Graduate Student (2013-2016)
Currently: Design Engineer, KPFF Consulting Engineers
Research Topic:
PBEE of Curved Bridges
Pere Pla-Junca
Former Graduate Student (2009-2011)
Currently: Bridge Project Engineer, Stantec
Vitiea Noeun
Former Graduate Student (2010-2012)
Research Topic:
Source-based Ground Motion Simulation Validation (Buildings)
Dr. Carmine Galasso
Former Post-Doctoral Fellow (2011-2012)
Currently: Professor, University College London
c.galasso@ucl.ac.uk WebPage linkedin
Dr Carmine Galasso is an Associate Professor in Catastrophe Risk Engineering with a joint appointment in the UCL’s Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering and the UCL’s Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction. He is also Deputy Director of the UCL’s Earthquake and People Interaction Centre (EPICentre), and Degree Programme Director for the MSc in Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management.
Research Topic:
Collapse Assessment of SMRFs
Jose Carlos Faz, P.E, S.E
Former Graduate Student (2008-2010)
Currently: Engineering Manager, J5 Infrastructure Partners
Research Topic:
PBEE of Skewed Bridges
Dr. Peyman Kaviani
Former Graduate Student (2008-2011)
Currently: Bridge Engineer, Caltrans
Peyman.Kaviani@dot.ca.gov linkedin
Experienced Professional engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the government. Skilled in Bridge Engineering, Earthquake Engineering, and Structural Dynamics. Ph.D. dissertation focused in performance-based seismic assessment of skewed bridges.
Research Topic:
Performance-Based Design of Tall Buildings