Ishini Nimasha Saparamadu| Civil Engineering | YouthInnovate Award

Ms. Ishini Nimasha Saparamadu| Civil Engineering | YouthInnovate Award

Research Assistant, University of Moratuwa Sri Lanka

P. V. Ishini Nimasha Saparamadu is an innovative Research Assistant and Enterprise AI Solutions Engineer affiliated with the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, and Intelligent Label Solutions. A high-achieving Quantity Surveying graduate with a GPA of 4.02/4.2, she has swiftly made a name for herself in the intersection of construction and artificial intelligence. Ishini is the founder of Concolabs (Pvt) Ltd, where she pioneered groundbreaking digital solutions like MeasureonAIR and Roboclause, which optimize construction cost tracking and automate legal interpretations, respectively. Her work is backed by academic rigor and practical application, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals, awards at international symposiums, and AI-driven industry tools. She has collaborated on numerous research projects aimed at modernizing construction compliance through NLP and vector database-powered chatbots. Ishini is driven by a passion to revolutionize the construction sector with digital innovation and is committed to pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve in engineering.

Profile

Orcid

Scholar

🎓 Education 

Ishini Saparamadu earned her Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, graduating with an impressive GPA of 4.02/4.2. Her academic journey has been marked by excellence and innovation, laying a strong foundation in construction economics, digital project management, and artificial intelligence applications in engineering. During her undergraduate studies, she actively engaged in interdisciplinary research, culminating in award-winning papers and recognition such as the Vidyajyothi Award for Most Outstanding Graduate. Her education was not only centered on traditional construction theories but also integrated modern computational tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and ERP systems. She further enriched her learning through continuous professional development programs under globally recognized institutions such as RICS, CIOB, and CICES. Her commitment to bridging academic knowledge and industry needs reflects in her student memberships in several professional bodies and her contribution to forward-thinking academic publications and tech products.

💼 Experience 

With a dual role as a Research Assistant at the University of Moratuwa and Enterprise AI Solutions Engineer at Intelligent Label Solutions, Ishini brings a dynamic blend of academic rigor and industry impact. She founded Concolabs (Pvt) Ltd, where she led the development of MeasureonAIR, a mobile app automating construction measurements, and Roboclause, an AI chatbot that simplifies contract law queries. Her professional experience spans cost estimation, BIM integration, ERP development, and AI application in construction workflows. She has undertaken consultancy projects like BuildMarketLK, which leverages AI for market price forecasting, and Bimverse, a BIM-manipulation chatbot. Her involvement in both practical development and scholarly research positions her at the forefront of digital transformation in construction. Ishini has also served as a team lead in multiple collaborations, mentoring junior developers and researchers. Her contributions continuously demonstrate a commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into conventional project management frameworks.

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Ishini Saparamadu has received multiple prestigious awards recognizing her academic brilliance and innovative spirit. Among her accolades is the Robin Jones Award, the Vidyajyothi Award for Most Outstanding Graduate, and Best Undergraduate Research Award. Her contributions were celebrated at the World Construction Symposium, where she received the Best Paper Award for her research in AI-driven construction contract analysis. She was also a CIOB Scholarship semi-finalist, showcasing her prominence among emerging global talents in construction. These honors underscore her dual excellence in both academia and practical innovation. Beyond these, Ishini has gained visibility through memberships in leading institutions such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES). Her accomplishments reflect not just academic superiority but also a commitment to industry evolution through applied research. These recognitions serve as a testament to her impact in the field at an early stage in her career.

🔬 Research Focus 

Ishini’s research centers on leveraging Artificial Intelligence to enhance construction law interpretation, project management, and compliance. Her core focus lies in Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications for automating legal documentation, as evidenced by her work on Roboclause, a contract law chatbot. She explores the use of vector database-powered chatbots for improving contract interpretation accuracy and reducing administrative delays. Another research stream involves affordance-led models for NLP adoption in construction project ecosystems. Ishini is also investigating bi-directional document management systems that ensure construction compliance using NLP. Her recent publications in Built Environment Project and Asset Management and Buildings reflect her commitment to translating theory into practical tools. She is also actively involved in projects integrating BIM with AI to enable intuitive interactions via natural language commands. Her interdisciplinary approach combines construction expertise with digital technologies to foster smarter, more compliant, and efficient project environments. She aspires to reshape the construction industry through innovation-led AI solutions.

📝 Conclusion

P. V. Ishini Nimasha Saparamadu is a highly suitable candidate for the YouthInnovate Award. Her profile reflects a rare combination of academic brilliance, real-world innovation, and a deep commitment to integrating AI into construction and legal processes. While she could strengthen her profile with more patents, books, and international collaborations, her current achievements—especially at such an early stage in her career—position her as a top contender for this recognition.

Publication

  • Optimising Contract Interpretations with Large Language Models: A Comparative Evaluation of a Vector Database-Powered Chatbot vs. ChatGPT
    Year: 2025
    Authors: P. Saparamadu, S. Sepasgozar, R.N.D. Guruge, H.S. Jayasena, A. Darejeh, …

 

  • BLUEPRINT FOR A NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING POWERED NEXUS FOR REGULATORY AND LEGAL LANDSCAPE IN CONSTRUCTION
    Year: 2024
    Authors: P. Saparamadu, H.S. Jayasena, B.A.I. Eranga

 

 

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