Research
Overview
Dr. Wakjira's research integrates artificial intelligence (AI), structural engineering,
and advanced materials to advance the resilience, safety, and sustainability of civil
infrastructure systems. Through the AI4RISE Lab (AI for Resilient Infrastructure & System Engineering), Dr. Wakjira leads projects that combine cutting-edge AI algorithms with engineering
fundamentals to address urgent challenges in infrastructure performance, disaster
response, and environmental security.
For more information, please visit the AI4RISE Lab website at www.ai4riselab.com.
Focus Areas
- AI for Structural Resilience
Development of data-efficient, interpretable AI models (e.g., self-supervised learning, transfer learning, explainable AI, foundation AI models, uncertainty quantification) to analyze and predict the performance of structures. - Post-Disaster Damage Assessment
Domain-adapted foundation models (e.g., Masked Autoencoders, Segment Anything Model) for image-based damage detection, segmentation, and resilience scoring of reinforced concrete and other structural systems. - Advanced Materials
Experimental, analytical, and AI-driven modeling of advanced materials, such as Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), FRP composites, and other advanced materials for seismic and multi-hazard applications. - Optimization & Decision Support
Multi-objective optimization and AI-enhanced decision-making frameworks to support rapid and environmentally efficient infrastructure recovery.
Research Pillars
- Multi-hazard Resilience
- AI-Powered System Engineering
- Advanced Materials
- Environmental Security
Opportunities
The AI4RISE Lab is actively recruiting motivated graduate students (Ph.D. and M.Sc.) with backgrounds in civil engineering, AI/ML, or materials engineering. See AI4RISE Lab for details on current openings.
