Fırat Enver Kesmez | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Fırat Enver Kesmez | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant, İzmir Institute of Technology, Turkey 👤

Fırat Enver Kesmez is a Research Assistant at the İzmir Institute of Technology, specializing in transportation engineering. His research focuses on public transit planning, smart mobility, and big data analytics. With a background in civil engineering, he integrates computational modeling and data-driven methodologies to enhance urban mobility systems. His expertise spans mode shift estimation, micromobility data utilization, and transit network optimization. His contributions to academic research, industry projects, and teaching demonstrate his commitment to advancing sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.

🎓 Education

Fırat Enver Kesmez holds a Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering (2023 – ongoing) from the İzmir Institute of Technology, maintaining a GPA of 3.88. He completed his M.S. in Civil Engineering (2020-2023) at the same institution with a perfect GPA of 4.0, focusing on smart card data for mode shift estimation under Prof. Dr. Volkan Emre Uz. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering (2011-2017) from Yıldız Technical University and attended Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as part of the Erasmus+ Exchange Programme (2014-2015).

💼 Work Experience

Fırat Enver Kesmez has diverse professional experience in both academia and the private sector. Since 2021, he has been a Research and Teaching Assistant at İzmir Institute of Technology, contributing to transportation modeling and urban mobility studies. Previously, he worked as a Cost Control Engineer at Renaissance Heavy Industries (Russia, 2019-2020) and as a Site Engineer at Siptek Industrial Services (Turkey, 2017-2019), gaining hands-on experience in construction project management and infrastructure development.

🔬 Research Interests

Fırat Enver Kesmez’s research interests lie at the intersection of public transportation, smart mobility, and data-driven urban planning. He specializes in big data analytics for transit systems, leveraging smart card data to analyze travel behavior and optimize transport networks. His work also extends to micromobility, traffic flow modeling, and multimodal transportation systems, aiming to improve sustainable mobility and smart city applications.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Throughout his academic and professional journey, Fırat Enver Kesmez has been recognized for his outstanding research contributions in transportation engineering. His work on mode shift estimation using smart card data was presented at the prestigious Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting 2024. Additionally, he played a key role in the Izmir Transportation Master Plan Update (2022-2024), a project funded by ESHOT, the city’s bus transportation authority.

📚 Publications

1️⃣ Kesmez, F. E., & Uz, V. E. (2025). Estimating the impact of new rail service on travel behavior of current bus passengers using smart card data. Transportation Planning and Technology, 1–32. Cited by: [Pending]
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1080/03081060.2025.2456701

2️⃣ Uz, V.E., Kesmez, F.E. (2025). Micromobility Data Need and Data Use. In: Dündar, S. (Ed.), Micromobility, Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering. Cited by: [Pending]
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-77098-2_16

Conclusion

Fırat Enver Kesmez demonstrates exceptional potential as a transportation researcher with strong academic credentials, impactful research, and applied industry experience. His expertise in data-driven transit planning and mobility analysis aligns well with contemporary urban challenges. While he has room to expand his international collaborations and publication portfolio, his contributions make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. 🏆

 

 

 

Nurhan Ecemis | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Nurhan Ecemis | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Civil Engineering Department, Izmir Institute of technology Turkey

Prof. Dr. Nurhan Ecemis is a distinguished geotechnical engineer specializing in geotechnical earthquake engineering, soil dynamics, and liquefaction. She is a professor at Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH), Turkey, and has served as the department chair since August 2024. She earned her Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and has extensive academic and industry experience, including roles at the University of British Columbia and LANGAN Engineering, USA. Dr. Ecemis has published widely in high-impact journals and has contributed significantly to advancing geotechnical research. Her work focuses on laboratory and field testing methods, numerical modeling, and soil-structure interaction under seismic conditions. Recognized for her contributions, she has received multiple awards and research grants. She actively collaborates with international institutions and participates in global geotechnical engineering projects. Her expertise extends to advanced numerical simulations and experimental modeling in geotechnical engineering.

Publication Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

Ph.D. in Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering) – State University of New York at Buffalo, USA (2004–2008). M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering) – Istanbul Technical University, Turkey (2001–2003). B.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering, First-Class Honors) – Istanbul Kultur University, Turkey (1997–2001)

💼 Experience

Professor, Chair (2024–Present) – Civil Engineering Dept., Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH), Turkey. Professor (2021–Present) – IZTECH, Turkey. Visiting Professor (2022–2023) – University of British Columbia, Canada. Associate Professor (2015–2021) – IZTECH, Turkey. Assistant Professor (2009–2015) – IZTECH, Turkey. Staff Engineer III (2008–2009) – LANGAN Engineering, New York, USA. Research & Teaching Assistant (2004–2008) – SUNY Buffalo, USA. Geotechnical Engineer (2002–2003) – ENAR Geotechnical Engineering, Turkey

🏆 Awards & Honors

Research Excellence Award – Recognized for outstanding geotechnical research contributions. Best Paper Award – Multiple international conferences in geotechnical and earthquake engineering. National & International Research Grants – Funded by major institutions for geotechnical research. Visiting Professorship – Awarded by University of British Columbia for research collaboration. Reviewer & Editorial Board Member – Leading geotechnical and earthquake engineering journals.  Industry Collaboration Awards – Recognized for contributions to engineering consultancy and seismic risk assessment projects

🔍 Research Focus

Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering – Seismic response of soil-structure systems. Soil Liquefaction & Post-Liquefaction Behavior – Laboratory and field investigations. In-situ & Laboratory Testing – CPT, shaking table tests, and cyclic loading studies. Soil Dynamics & Geomechanics – Numerical modeling of soil-structure interaction. Foundation Engineering – Design and analysis under seismic conditions. Numerical & Computational Modeling – FLAC3D, PLAXIS, ABAQUS simulations

Publication Top Notes

Laminar box system for 1-g physical modeling of liquefaction and lateral spreading (2009) – S Thevanayagam, T Kanagalingam, A Reinhorn, R Tharmendhira, … – 70 citations

 

Simulation of seismic liquefaction: 1-g model testing system and shaking table tests (2013) – N Ecemis – 65 citations

 

Time-dependent physicochemical characteristics of Malaysian residual soil stabilized with magnesium chloride solution (2016) – N Latifi, ASA Rashid, N Ecemis, MM Tahir, A Marto – 46 citations

 

Sand-granulated rubber mixture to prevent liquefaction-induced uplift of buried pipes: a shaking table study (2021) – N Ecemis, H Valizadeh, M Karaman – 42 citations

 

The use of neural networks for CPT-based liquefaction screening (2015) – Y Erzin, N Ecemis – 41 citations

 

Experimental and numerical modeling on the liquefaction potential and ground settlement of silt-interlayered stratified sands (2021) – N Ecemis – 40 citations

 

Influence of consolidation properties on the cyclic re-liquefaction potential of sands (2015) – N Ecemis, HE Demirci, M Karaman – 39 citations

 

Influence of non-/low plastic fines on cone penetration and liquefaction resistance (2014) – N Ecemis, M Karaman – 25 citations

 

The use of neural networks for the prediction of cone penetration resistance of silty sands (2017) – Y Erzin, N Ecemis – 22 citations

 

Soil liquefaction-induced uplift of buried pipes in sand-granulated-rubber mixture: Numerical modeling (2022) – H Valizadeh, N Ecemis – 17 citations

 

Effects of permeability on liquefaction resistance and cone resistance (2008) – S Thevanayagam, N Ecemis – 15 citations

 

Effects of permeability and compressibility on liquefaction screening using cone penetration resistance (2008) – N Ecemis – 14 citations

 

Luís Laím | Civil | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Luís Laím | Civil | Best Researcher Award

Luís Miguel dos Santos Laím is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, Portugal. He holds a PhD in Fire Safety Engineering, and is an Integrated Research Member of ISISE. His academic journey includes various invited positions and significant involvement in teaching, research, and consultancy in the field of Civil Engineering, particularly in structural fire engineering, optimization, and computational intelligence.

Publication Profile

Scholar

🎓Education

Licentiate Degree in Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, 2007, grade: 17/20. Integrated Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, 2008, grade: 17/20 Ph.D. in Fire Safety Engineering, University of Coimbra, 2013, approved with distinction and honour

💼Experience

Invited Assistant Professor (2014–2019), University of Coimbra. PhD Researcher (2019–2023), ISISE, University of Coimbra. Assistant Professor (2023–present), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra. Co-supervisor of 11 Master’s Theses and 4 PhD Theses

🏆Awards and Honors

PhD with Distinction and Honour, University of Coimbra. Best Paper Award, International Conferences. Recognition as Reviewer for over 100 scientific journals. Principal Investigator, Fire_Improv_ColdFSteel Project

🔬Research Focus

Structural Fire Engineering. Fire Testing Methods and Fire Dynamics. Structural Analysis & Optimization. Computational Intelligence & Performance-based Design. Steel & Composite Structures

Conclusion

Luís Laím stands out as a highly skilled researcher and educator whose work has contributed significantly to the advancement of structural fire safety and fire dynamics. His exceptional academic achievements, combined with his leadership in research and consultancy, make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. By continuing to build on his solid foundation and engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations, Laím has the potential to further elevate his influence in the field of civil engineering.

Publications

  • Experimental and numerical analysis on the structural behaviour of cold-formed steel beams
    • Authors: L Laim, JPC Rodrigues, LS da Silva
    • Published in: Thin-Walled Structures, 72, 1-13
    • Year: 2013
    • Summary: This study investigates the structural behavior of cold-formed steel beams, combining experimental and numerical analyses to understand their performance under different loading conditions.

 

  • Review of the high temperature mechanical and thermal properties of the steels used in cold formed steel structures–The case of the S280 Gd+ Z steel
    • Authors: HD Craveiro, JPC Rodrigues, A Santiago, L Laím
    • Published in: Thin-Walled Structures, 98, 154-168
    • Year: 2016
    • Summary: This review focuses on the high-temperature mechanical and thermal properties of the S280 Gd+ Z steel used in cold-formed steel structures, emphasizing its behavior under fire conditions.

 

  • Behaviour of fiber reinforced concrete columns in fire
    • Authors: JPC Rodrigues, L Laím, AM Correia
    • Published in: Composite Structures, 92 (5), 1263-1268
    • Year: 2010
    • Summary: The study explores the behavior of fiber-reinforced concrete columns when exposed to fire, highlighting their fire resistance and performance under high temperatures.

 

  • Buckling resistance of axially loaded cold-formed steel columns
    • Authors: HD Craveiro, JPC Rodrigues, L Laím
    • Published in: Thin-Walled Structures, 106, 358-375
    • Year: 2016
    • Summary: This paper examines the buckling resistance of axially loaded cold-formed steel columns, providing insights into their stability and failure mechanisms.

 

  • Buckling resistance of concrete-filled cold-formed steel (CF-CFS) built-up short columns under compression
    • Authors: R Rahnavard, HD Craveiro, RA Simões, L Laím, A Santiago
    • Published in: Thin-Walled Structures, 170, 108638
    • Year: 2022
    • Summary: The study investigates the buckling resistance of concrete-filled cold-formed steel built-up short columns under compression, offering guidance for their design and performance.

 

  • Buckling behavior of closed built-up cold-formed steel columns under compression
    • Authors: HD Craveiro, R Rahnavard, L Laím, RA Simões, A Santiago
    • Published in: Thin-Walled Structures, 179, 109493
    • Year: 2022
    • Summary: This paper analyzes the buckling behavior of closed built-up cold-formed steel columns subjected to compression, focusing on their load-bearing capacity and structural integrity.

 

  • Cold-formed steel columns made with open cross-sections subjected to fire
    • Authors: HD Craveiro, JPC Rodrigues, L Laím
    • Published in: Thin-Walled Structures, 85, 1-14
    • Year: 2014
    • Summary: The study explores the behavior of cold-formed steel columns with open cross-sections when exposed to fire, assessing their fire resistance and structural stability.

 

  • Concrete-filled cold-formed steel (CF-CFS) built-up columns under compression: Test and design
    • Authors: R Rahnavard, HD Craveiro, M Lopes, RA Simões, L Laím, C Rebelo
    • Published in: Thin-Walled Structures, 179, 109603
    • Year: 2022
    • Summary: This paper presents experimental tests and design recommendations for concrete-filled cold-formed steel built-up columns under compression, contributing to the understanding of their performance.

 

  • Flexural behaviour of beams made of cold-formed steel sigma-shaped sections at ambient and fire conditions
    • Authors: L Laím, JPC Rodrigues, HD Craveiro
    • Published in: Thin-Walled Structures, 87, 53-65
    • Year: 2015
    • Summary: The study investigates the flexural behavior of cold-formed steel beams with sigma-shaped sections under both ambient and fire conditions, providing insights into their structural performance under fire exposure.

 

 

 

Dongwook Kim | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Dongwook Kim | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Civil Smart Engineering Team at DL E&C South Korea

Dongwook Kim, Ph.D., is a Senior Manager in the Civil Smart Engineering Team at DL E&C, Seoul, Korea. With a profound academic background in civil engineering, he specializes in modular construction, composite structures, and BIM technologies. Dr. Kim has significantly contributed to smart construction advancements, earning a reputation as an expert in integrating cutting-edge machine learning and digital engineering practices. His collaborative initiatives span industry, government, and academia, aiming to revolutionize infrastructure development. A prolific contributor to technical committees and academic forums, he is deeply involved in shaping national BIM standards and promoting smart construction technologies.

Publication Profile

Orcid

🎓Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (2011-2016) – Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea (GPA: 4.41/4.50). M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2007-2009) – Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea (GPA: 4.31/4.50). B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2001-2007) – Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea (GPA: 3.65/4.50).

💼Experience

Dr. Kim has extensive experience in civil engineering, holding key roles at DL E&C, Daelim Industrial Co., and Chungsuk Engineering. As a Senior Manager, he spearheads initiatives in BIM and smart construction technologies. His academic tenure includes serving as a Research and Teaching Assistant at Chung-Ang University, where he contributed to composite structures research. Dr. Kim’s expertise extends to technical advisory roles, guiding infrastructure and digital construction projects.

🏆Awards and Honors

Chairperson for Construction BIM Standards Curriculum Development (2024). Numerous roles in national BIM committees, shaping Korea’s digital construction policies. Recognized for excellence in smart construction technologies through advisory and academic achievements.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Kim’s research spans modular construction, composite structures, and BIM technologies. He explores machine learning applications, smart construction innovations, and digital engineering. His focus is on modular CFT columns, fast construction using BIM, and enhancing infrastructure design with AI integration.

Conclusion

Dr. Dongwook Kim’s outstanding academic credentials, substantial contributions to smart construction, and active role in shaping BIM standards make him a prime candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His continuous involvement in cutting-edge projects and technical committees demonstrates his leadership in the transformation of the civil engineering industry. With some focused attention on integrating newer technological advancements, particularly in AI, his research has the potential to drive significant innovation in the construction sector.

Publications

  1. Cyclic Performance of Prefabricated Bridge Piers with Concrete-Filled Steel Tubes and Improved Bracing Connection Detail
    Journal: Applied Sciences
    Date: 2024-12-17
    DOI: 10.3390/app142411810
    Contributors: Dongwook Kim, Chi-Ho Jeon, Ki-Tae Park

 

  1. Soil Sharing and Equipment Operations Through Digitalization of Large-Scale Earthworks
    Journal: Buildings
    Date: 2024-12-15
    DOI: 10.3390/buildings14123981
    Contributors: Dongwook Kim

 

  1. An Experimental Study on the Deterioration Behaviour of External Tendons Due to Corrosion
    Journal: KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering
    Date: 2023-12
    DOI: 10.1007/s12205-023-0316-5
    Contributors: Dongwook Kim, Chi-Ho Jeon, Chang-Su Shim

 

elyas bayat | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. elyas bayat |Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

👨‍🏫Profile Summary

With a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from Genoa University and extensive academic and professional experiences, I specialize in structural design, vibration analysis, and construction management. Proficient in software like SAP2000 and ANSYS, I’ve collaborated on diverse projects, including bridge design and dynamic response assessment of floor structures. As a Structural Design Engineer and Construction Project Manager, I’ve demonstrated leadership and technical prowess, earning recognition such as the Young Researcher Award. Committed to excellence, I bring a blend of research acumen, teaching proficiency, and practical expertise to advance engineering solutions and contribute effectively to the field.

🌐 Professional Profiles

 

 

📚 Education

Genoa University, Genoa, Italy Jan 2022 – Jan 2023, Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DICCA), Research Associate in Structural Engineering, Supervisor: Prof. Maria Pia Repetto, Project Subject: Inspection, maintenance, and safety of existing bridges in Genoa, Utilizing a Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) approach introduced by the Italian Welding Institute, Performing a risk assessment of structural components in a selected set of bridges. Genoa University, Genoa, Italy Nov 2019 – Sep 2023, Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DICCA), Ph.D. Student in Structural Engineering, Supervisor: Prof. Federica Tubino, Thesis Subject: Vibration serviceability assessment of lightweight floor structures subjected to human-induced excitation, Investigating the dynamic response of floors under single pedestrian walking load: a deterministic approach, Investigating the dynamic response of floors under single pedestrian walking load: a probabilistic approach, Investigating the dynamic response of floors under multi-pedestrian walking loads: a probabilistic approach, Vibration serviceability assessment of real floor structures. Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Sep 2013 – Nov 2015, Department of Structural Engineering M.Sc. Student in Structural Engineering, Thesis Subject: Performance Evaluation of Passive Tuned Mass Dampers for Reduction of Bridges Traffic Vibrations. Tafresh University, Tafresh, Iran Sep 2008 – Oct 2012, Department of Civil Engineering, B.Sc. Student in Civil Engineering, Final Research Project: Monotonic undrained triaxial tests for saturated sand and sand-silt mixtures’ shear strength

🎓 Academic Experiences

Teaching civil engineering courses, Sep 2018 – Jun 2019, Payam-e-Golpayegan Institute of Higher Education, Golpayegan, Iran, Courses: Design of Steel Structures, Bridge Engineering, Cost Estimation in Project Management, Concrete Technology Lab. Research collaboration, Feb 2016 – Mar 2017, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, Research Subject: Damage and vulnerability assessment of RC buildings subjected to blast loading near the building

🏗️ Work Experiences

Structural Design Engineer Nov 2017 – Present Zelzeleh Mohaseb Office, Khomein, Markazi, Iran Engineering the structural design of concrete and steel buildings Utilizing design software, computer-aided design (CAD), and other tools for design plans. Construction Site Engineer Nov 2017 – Nov 2019 Zelzeleh Mohaseb Office, Khomein, Markazi, Iran Supervising construction operations on site for building projects Performing regular inspections to verify adherence to technical drawings, standards, and safety regulations. Construction Project Manager Oct 2016 – Oct 2017. Zelzeleh Mohaseb Office, Khomein, Markazi, Iran Overseeing and coordinating all aspects of construction for building projects Planning, budget management, team coordination, quality control, and client communication Bridge Design Engineer Mar 2016 – Aug 2016. Arces Pol Pars Company, Tehran, Iran Becoming familiar with bridge design codes and standards Collaborating with senior engineers to contribute to the design of bridges

🛠️ Technical Skills

  • Software & Tools: SAP2000, ETABS, CSIBridge, ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, AutoCAD, SketchUp
  • Programming Skills: MATLAB, Fortran
  • Other: MS Office, LaTeX, Windows

🏆 Honors & Awards

Young Researcher Award Sep 2021 9th International Conference on Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Engineering Structures, Tokyo, Japan. Ph.D. Scholarship Sep 2019 Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Mechanics and Materials, Genoa University, Genoa, Italy Ranked among the top 1% July 2013 National graduate entrance exam for Master of Science studies, Iran

📜 Certificates

Structural Design Engineer Certificate (Nov 2017), Construction Site Engineer Certificate (Nov 2017), Membership in the Australian Association for Steel-Concrete Composite Structures (July 2019), Attendee at XI International Conference on Structural Dynamics (EURODYN 2020), Athens, Greece, Attendee at the webinar “Human-Induced Floor Vibrations; Controlling the Bounce” (Feb 2022), RWDI constructing engineering, Completion of courses during the Ph.D. program (Nov 2019- Nov 2022), Genoa University, Genoa, Italy

📚Top Noted Publication

  1. Title: Dynamic response assessment of floors under multi-pedestrian walking loads: a probabilistic analysis
    Journal: Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing (Accepted)

 

  1. Title: Human-induced vibrations of floors: A probabilistic approach
    Journal: Engineering Structures
    Volume: 300
    Year: 2024
    Page: 117198

 

  1. Title: Dynamic response of floors induced by a single walking pedestrian: deterministic and probabilistic approaches
    Conference: XII International Conference on Structural Dynamics (EURODYN), 2023

 

  1. Title: Dynamic response of floors induced by a single walking pedestrian including walking path variability
    Journal: Structures
    Volume: 46
    Year: 2022
    Pages: 1280–1292

 

  1. Title: Vibration serviceability assessment of a historic suspension footbridge
    Journal: Buildings
    Volume: 12
    Year: 2022
    Pages: 732

 

  1. Title: Dynamic characterization and vibration serviceability assessment of a historic suspension footbridge
    Conference: 11th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management (IABMAS), 2022

 

  1. Title: Experimental and numerical characterization of the dynamic behaviour of a historic suspension footbridge
    Conference: 9th International Conference on Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Engineering Structures (EVACES), 2021

 

  1. Title: Numerical performance assessment of Tuned Mass Dampers to mitigate traffic-induced vibrations of a steel box-girder bridge
    Journal: Structural Engineering and Mechanics
    Volume: 78
    Issue: 2
    Year: 2021
    Pages: 125-134