Contact

Phone: 470-578-3879

Email: mbaek@kennesaw.edu

Office Location: Marietta Campus, 830 Academic Building, Room 346

Office Hours:
MW: 5:00PM - 7:00PM

Research

Research interests:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Construction. Applying explainable AI and machine learning techniques to model construction and transportation project outcomes, including bidding behavior, cost forecasting, and market competition patterns.
  • Construction Data Analytics and Decision Support. Using statistical modeling and data-driven methods to uncover patterns in construction and infrastructure data that support better planning, performance tracking, and strategic decision-making.
  • Cost Estimating and Risk Management. Developing improved methods for estimating construction costs and managing project and organizational risk, with a focus on transportation infrastructure and public agency delivery.
  • Immersive Technologies (VR/AI) for Construction Education. Integrating generative AI with virtual reality to create adaptive, role-responsive training environments that strengthen construction education and workforce development.
  • Automated and Sensor-Based Infrastructure Inspection. Investigating automated inspection technologies and methodologies, including sensor-based and vision-based approaches, to improve the safety and efficiency of bridge and infrastructure monitoring.

 

Sponsored Research

  • Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF), EDU Core Research (Award No. 2600289). "Collaborative Research: Generative Artificial Intelligence Integrated with Role-Responsive Virtual Reality for Construction Education." PI. $250,000. Oct 2026 – Sep 2029.
  • Sponsor: National Academy of Sciences, subcontract from University of the Pacific. "NCHRP 20-05/Topic 57-11A: Practices for Implementing Right-of-Way Engineering." PI (KSU subcontract). $16,250. Sep 2026 – Aug 2027.
  • Sponsor: Office of Research, Kennesaw State University (internal). "2026 Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Grants." PI. $4,719. Mar 2026 – Oct 2026.
  • Sponsor: Kennesaw State University (internal). "2024 CACM Faculty Summer Research Grants: Analyzing Patterns of the Level of Competition for Transportation Projects with Project Characteristics and External Market Conditions." Baek, M. (PI), Noh, J. (Co-PI). $4,999. Apr 2024 – Oct 2024.
  • Sponsor: US EPA and Florida A&M University–Florida State University. "Educating the Next Generation of Engineers on Sustainable Demolition Practices." Choi, J. (PI), Baek, M. (Co-PI). $5,000. Aug 2023 – Aug 2024.
  • Sponsor: Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). "Enhancing the GDOT's Maintenance Decision Trees Considering the Effectiveness of Various Treatment Options in Different Geographical Locations and Over Time." Baek, M. (PI), Ashuri, B. (Co-PI). $300,000. Apr 2022 – Jul 2024.
  • Sponsor: Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). "Enhancing the Accuracy of Construction Cost Estimates for Major Lump Sum (LS) Pay Items and Generating a More-Accurate List of Pay Items Throughout the Design Development Process." Ashuri, B. (PI), Baek, M. (Co-PI). $260,000. Jul 2020 – May 2022.

 

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