Members
Ph.D. Students
Sultan Al Shafian
Sultan Al Shafian is currently pursuing his PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering from Kennesaw State University under the supervision of Professor Dr. Da Hu. His research focus area is Smart Infrastructure. Sultan Al Shafian completed his BSc. in Civil Engineering from Islamic University Technology, Gazipur, Bangladesh in the year 2015. He further accomplished his MSc. in Civil Engineering from the same institution in 2018. With a remarkable career spanning nearly 8 years in the field of civil engineering, Sultan Al Shafian contributed his expertise to significant mega projects such as the MRT Line 5 South Project and the Karnaphuli Tunnel Project in Bangladesh, prior to his enrollment at Kennesaw State University.
Chao He
Chao He is currently pursuing his PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering from Kennesaw
State University under the supervision of Professor Dr. Da Hu. His research focus
area is Robotic System. Chao He completed his BSc. in Powering Engineering from Taiyuan
University of Technology, Taiyuan, China in the year 2011. He further accomplished
his MSc. in Computer Science from Arkansas State University in 2021. With a remarkable
career spanning nearly 3 years in the field of remote driving, Chao He contributed
his expertise to the projects such as Remote Driving of Tangshan Harbor Container
Trunk and Remote Fire Command System Project in China, prior to his enrollment at
Kennesaw State University.
Sijie Gao
Sijie Gao is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering at Kennesaw
State University (KSU) in the United States, under the supervision of Professor Da
Hu. He earned his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Shenzhen University, China,
in 2024. Prior to joining KSU, Sijie’s research focused on: Stress distribution in
FRP-confined concrete columns under compression and finite element modeling of concrete
structures. His work culminated in a publication in the Journal of Composites for
Construction, which was subsequently selected for the Editor’s Choice Collection in
the same year. These research experiences have ignited his interest in smart infrastructure,
where he will continue his scholarly exploration.
Master Students
Tanjila Rashid Rhythy
Tanjila Rashid Rhythy is a master’s student in civil engineering at Kennesaw State
University. She completed her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Bangladesh
University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2023. Her research
experience involves developing discrete choice models using BIOGEME software to analyze
travel preferences among university staff and students, which has led to several publications
in international conferences. She has also published a conference paper focusing on
geotechnical engineering. Her research interests include deep learning, disaster reconnaissance,
virtual reality, and smart and resilient infrastructure. This blend of expertise and
interest drives her commitment to advancing the field of civil engineering through
innovative and data-driven approaches.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kiara O'Neal is a Computer Science freshman at Kennesaw State University, renowned as a 2022 Cisco
High Extern and a 2023 Kode with Klossy Scholar. An active member of esteemed organizations
like The Society of Women Engineers and The National Society of Black Engineers, she
also contributes her expertise as a founding member of the AI club and the Flight
27 Student Advisory Board. Kiara's passion for technology and innovative problem-solving
drives her academic and professional pursuits, showcasing her potential to make significant
contributions in the tech industry.
Alex Abounassar is a Civil Engineering student at Kennesaw State University, expected to graduate
in May 2028. Always having curiosity about infrastructure and construction, he is
excited to pursue his education using rigorous classes including physics, calculus,
chemistry, etc. Regardless of being a first-year student he has a lot of valuable
experience under his belt. For example, he was president and founder of the Pope High
School Chess Club. He was a board member of both the Foreign Languages Club and the
Robotics Club. Having worked two jobs throughout high school, one in retail (Walmart)
and one in fast food (Wendys). High school rigor includes many research-based classes
such as AP Seminar and AP Macro-Economics. Alex’s vast experience and passionate drive
in becoming an elite civil engineer makes his journey as an uprising scholar a process
that is both impactful and contributing to the field of civil engineering.
Kevin Gonzalez is a freshman at Kennesaw State University pursuing a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering,
with an expected graduation date of May 2028. He has had a passion for Civil Engineering
ever since he was a boy playing Legos and it has only grown since then. As he embarks
on his college journey, Kevin is eager to gain experience under his belt by becoming
a first-year student. Already an active member of the National Society of Civil Engineers,
he is also balancing a part-time job at QuikTrip, demonstrating his commitment to
both his studies and professional development. Kevin's strong work ethic will be a
key driver in his efforts to impact and contribute to the field of Civil Engineering.
John Haly is a Freshman studying environmental engineering at Kennesaw State University. He is passionate about helping the world through engineering and is currently working on a project to detect underground structures and analyze them using advanced Ai Technology. He hopes to continue this line of work in structural stability and safety, and is focused on conquering his goals one day at a time. In addition his studies and research work, John is a HOPE Scholar, a member of the National Honors Society in High School, and loves to stay active and be outside. These activities and passions highlight John's ability to be a successful and impactful student and leader in the world of Environmental Engineering.
Lab Group Photos
Fall 2024
Former group members
Md Shamsul Alam, Master student (08/2024 - 05/2025), Ph.D. student in Interdisciplinary Engineering at KSU
Tracy Le, Undergraduate researcher (09/2024 - 12/2024), transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology
Frank-Cedric Kadjo, Undergraduate researcher (10/2023 - 04/2024), undergraduate student in Civil Engineering at KSU
