Research Assistant, University of Washington United States
Daniel D. Akerele is a PhD Candidate in Construction Management at the University of Washington, Seattle. His research focuses on rapid-set materials for concrete pavement repair, integrating AI-driven material science and sustainability. With extensive academic and industry experience, he serves as a Predoctoral Teaching Associate, instructing construction materials and sustainability courses. He has worked as a Research Assistant at the Center for Education and Research in Construction and as a Project Engineer at Turner Construction, optimizing sustainable concrete mix designs. Prior to this, he held roles in Nigeria as a Construction/Design Manager and Project Coordinator, overseeing major infrastructure projects. Daniel has received numerous awards, including the College of Built Environmentās Top Scholar Award and PNWCMAA Student Scholarship. As an active researcher, he has published in peer-reviewed journals and serves as a reviewer for international publications. His expertise spans construction management, AI-driven modeling, material testing, and sustainable infrastructure development.
Profile
Orcid
š EducationĀ
PhD Candidate, Construction Management | University of Washington, Seattle (2022 ā Present) Research: Rapid-set materials for concrete pavement repair Certifications: BIM, Construction Project Management (Columbia University) Competitions: ASC Reno, NWCCC Student Bid, ACI Mentorship. MSc, Civil Engineering (Water Resources & Environmental Engineering Major) | University of Ibadan, Nigeria Thesis: Physicochemical and Bacteriological Assessment of Borehole Water CGPA: 3.69/4.0. BTech, Civil Engineering | Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria Thesis: Effect of Geotextiles on Lime-Stabilized Soils Class Representative (2009-2014) Captain, Association of Civil Engineering Students Competition (2012)
š ExperienceĀ
Research Assistant | Center for Education & Research in Construction, University of Washington (2022 ā Present) Conducts experimental research on sustainable rapid-set materials Applies AI techniques for material optimization and durability prediction. Project Engineer | Turner Construction, USA (2023 ā 2024) Led sustainability initiatives for concrete optimization Developed AI-driven material tracking and carbon footprint assessments. Construction/Design Manager | Sustainable Procurement Services Ltd., Nigeria (2021 ā 2022). Managed infrastructure projects, cost control, and vendor negotiations. Site Engineer | Arbico PLC, Nigeria (2020 ā 2021) Supervised road and building construction, high-rise developments. Construction Project Coordinator | Sparklight Engineering Ltd., Nigeria (2015 ā 2020) Led 44,000-worker housing facility project in Dangote Refinery Boosted net profitability by 64% through strategic planning
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Awards and HonorsĀ
College of Built Environmentās Top Scholar Award | University of Washington. Nellisā Endowment Fellowship. PNWCMAA Student Scholarship 2024 Award. Reviewer | Environment, Development & Sustainability Journal. Reviewer | Indian Geotechnical Journal. Reviewer | International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology. Volunteer Judge | Central Sound Regional Science & Engineering Fair. Volunteer Judge | Washington DECA
š¬ Research FocusĀ
Daniel’s research explores AI-driven material optimization, rapid-set concrete development, and sustainability in construction. His work includes performance evaluation, field applications, and life cycle assessments of cementitious materials. He is particularly interested in reducing carbon emissions through alternative binders and computational modeling. His recent projects focus on Portland Limestone Cement performance, Calcium Sulphoaluminate (CSA) concrete, and construction waste reduction. Daniel actively collaborates with industry stakeholders, including the Washington DOT, to align research with practical applications. He has published on topics such as COā impact on CSA concrete, lightweight aggregate concrete, and water quality assessment. His research integrates data analytics, machine learning, and life cycle impact assessment to enhance the durability and sustainability of construction materials. Through his work, he aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by developing cost-effective, scalable solutions for resilient infrastructure.
šConclusion
Daniel D. Akerele is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on his innovative research, industry engagement, and academic contributions. Addressing minor gaps in publications and research funding could further solidify his standing as a leading researcher in construction materials and sustainability.
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