Principal Investigator
Dr. Qian Chen is an assistant professor in Civil Engineering at the School of Engineering at The University of British Columbia (Okanagan campus). She uses digital technologies, optimizing algorithms and project management methods to enable collaboration among stakeholders while accelerating the digital transformation of construction projects.
Postdoc Researcher
Saeide Bigdellou is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan), where she contributes to the field of Supply Chain Management. She holds a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering with a specialization in Operations Research from the Sharif University of Technology. In 2020, she was a visiting graduate student at the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, and the Development of Decision-Making Models. She has also served as a reviewer for high-impact factor journals. Alongside her academic accomplishments, Dr. Bigdellou has gained practical experience as a business analyst in the Telecommunication industry.
Dr. Muhammad Fawad is a Digital Construction researcher and Structural Engineer hailing from Pakistan. He has recently completed his Joint Doctoral research from the Silesian University of Technology, Poland, and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary. Dr. Fawad is currently engaged in research related to the use of Building Information Management (BIM) tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Immersive (VR/AR/MR) technologies in the construction sector. He is an expert in the use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) devices, such as Microsoft HoloLens, Site Vision, and Oculus Quest for smarter construction solutions.
PhD Students
Kantheepan Yogeeswaran is a doctoral student in Civil Engineering having both field and design experience. He has a keen interest in using emerging technologies to solve problems in the construction industry.
MASc Students
Jingshuo Yu is a graduate student conducting research in building maintenance, which accounts for most of the facility management costs. He focuses on developing BIM and machine learning methods to predict facility failures, optimize maintenance schedules, and thus minimize maintenance expenditures, time consumption and GHG emissions.
Shuo-Yen (Ian) Tu is a master’s student in Electrical Engineering, co-supervised by Professor Zheng Liu. He is interested in research related to Computer Vision and Machine Learning and aims to combine his research for practical applications in the industry.
Chongyuan Bian (Brian) is a M.A.S of Electrical Engineering student with a passion for solving real-world problems and improving people’s lives through advanced human-computer interaction. He is currently working with his supervisor Kenneth Chau and co-supervisor Qian Chen on the development and design of physically-based material databases in point cloud-based engines, augmented reality in architecture, and the development of gesture control in human-centered everyday environments.
Undergraduate Students
Ruizhi (Wise) Chen is an undergraduate civil engineer with a resilient infrastructure management option. He is interested in construction management, construction digitalization, and sustainability. He decided to pursue civil engineering to find and develop fast, cost-efficient and low-environmental impact construction methods, which could improve human life quality using technologies.
Hellen Lacava is a Civil Engineer Undergraduate student in the Resilient Infrastructure Management degree option. She is interested in Structural Engineering and Construction Automation. Currently, she is working with 3D Printed Houses for Indigenous Communities in Canada.
Visiting Students
Viktoriia Bezverkhnia is a bachelor student, studying architecture, construction, decorative and applied arts. I am interested in innovations in the field of architectural design and construction. I am also actively studying interior design and architectural visualization.
As a French civil engineering student, Aymeric BONAY is interested in new methods of conception and construction. He intends to contribute to reaching the ecological and digital targets in the construction sector.
Urvi Gupta is a Civil Engineering undergraduate with a keen interest in digital construction methodologies and Building Information Modeling (BIM). With a strong drive to learn and a passion for making a lasting impact in the field, Urvi is committed to mastering new tools and techniques that can revolutionize the construction industry.
Songyue (Aaron) Wang is an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science and Financial Technology. At his home institution, he has participated in various research and consultation projects in the fields of big data and blockchain as a research assistant. He is interested in applying state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) to improve the transparency and efficiency of procurement processes for the construction industry.
