Faculty and Staff
John Messner, PhD
Charles & Elinor Matts Professor of AE
Director, CIC Research Program
208 Engineering Unit A
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 865-4578
jim101@psu.edu
Focus Areas:
BIM, Virtual Prototyping, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Automation in Construction, Lean Construction, Project Delivery, Globalization
Robert Leicht, PhD
Associate Professor of AE
Director, PACE
104 Engineering Unit A
University Park, PA 16802
rml167@psu.edu
Focus Areas:
Project Delivery, Teams, BIM, Lean Construction
Somayeh Asadi, PhD
Assistant Professor of AE
104 Engineering Unit A
University Park, PA 16802
sxa51@psu.edu
Focus Areas:
Smart buildings, Smart Grid, sustainable infrastructure
Loukas Kalisperis, PhD
Professor of Architecture
Stuckeman Family Building
University Park, PA 16802
lnk@psu.edu
Focus Areas:
Virtual Reality, Architectural Visualization
Katsu Muramoto
Associate Professor of Architecture
Stuckeman Family Building
University Park, PA 16802
kxm15@psu.edu
Focus Areas:
Virtual Reality, Architectural Visualization
Sez Atamturktur, PhD
Professor and Head of AE
104 Engineering Unit A
University Park, PA 16802
sez@psu.edu
Focus Areas:
Building Structural Systems, Interdisciplinary Building Systems, Infrastructure System and Model Validation and Uncertainty Quantification
Craig R. Dubler, PhD, DBIA, CEFP
Manager, Facility Asset Management
University Park, PA 16802
crd137@psu.edu
Focus Areas:
https://opp.psu.edu/sub-division/facility-asset-management-fam-programs
Technology in Facilities Management, BIM, Information Management, Project Turnover
Russ Manning, PhD
Virtual Design Engineer
113 OPP
University Park, PA 16802
rwm108@psu.edu
Focus Areas:
BIM in Design and Construction, BIM for Facility Management
Ryan Solnoski, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor of AE
104 Engineering Unit A
University Park, PA 16802
rls5008@psu.edu
Focus Areas:
Technology Enabled Teaching, BIM, Design Modeling, Structural Modeling, Structural Analysis
Students / Research Assistants
Saratu Terreno, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, Embedded researcher in the Office of Physical Plant
Architectural Engineering
Advisor: John Messner
BIM for Facility Management
Sub-areas include external project support, internal adoption strategies, Revit standards implementation, data transition to asset management and quality control and assurance for asset data integrity.
Shin Ota
Research Scholar
Architectural Engineering
Advisor: John Messner
Smart and Connected Construction Site Technologies
Mr. Ota is a visiting scholar from Fujita Corporation. He is developing a framework for smart and connected jobsites.
Ali Karji
PhD Student
Architectural Engineering
azk644@psu.edu
Advisor: John Messner
Exp Grad: Spring 2022
Jennifer Lather
PhD Candidate
Architectural Engineering
jil115@psu.edu
Advisor: John Messner
Exp Grad: May 2019
A Hybrid Simulation Approach for Healthcare Facility Layout Problems
Jennifer’s research investigates operations research methodologies integrated with planning and design practices to deliver high-performance healthcare facilities which are optimally designed for healthcare practitioners and patient workflows.
Zhouqian ‘Jason’ Jiang
PhD Candidate
Architectural Engineering
zpj5026@psu.edu
Advisor: John Messner
Exp Grad: Dec 2019
Implementing image-based detection of geometric changes to automate the construction progress monitoring process
The information of camera locations and orientations can be used to register images with respect to the as-planned 3D building model, and corresponding 3D model view points can be generated. A probabilistic framework is then used to verify the consistency between actual images and generated view points. Semantic knowledge of the environment is incorporated into the framework to ignore non-relevant parts of the scene.
Sagata Bahwani
PhD Candidate
Architectural Engineering
szb277@psu.edu
Co-Advisors: John Messner & Robert Leicht
Exp Grad: May 2020
Developing a Lean Construction Domain Ontology for Lean Implementation
Sagata's research focuses on developing a lean construction domain ontology capturing the foundational concepts, methods, practices in lean construction to address the inconsistency observed in lean implementation, as observed on AECprojects.
Yumna Kurdi
PhD Candidate
Architectural Engineering
ybk5012@psu.edu
Advisor: Somayeh Asad
Exp Grad:
Regenerative Sustainability approach for the built environment for large facility owners
Mahsa Safari
PhD Candidate
Architectural Engineering
mbs5586@psu.edu
Advisor: Somayeh Asadi
Exp Grad: May 2019
A Regenerative Approach to Building Energy Retrofit Project Development and Construction
Madhu Ayyamperumal
MEng Student
Architectural Engineering
mza234@psu.edu
Advisor: John Messner
Exp Grad: May 2019
Aurore Badré
MS Student
Architectural Engineering
asb390@psu.edu
Advisor: John Messner
Exp Grad: May 2020
BIM for FM within the Healthcare Sector
Smart and Connected Jobsite Technology
Mai Sherif
MS Student
Architectural Engineering
mms490@psu.edu
Advisor: Somayeh Asadi
Exp Grad:
Topic Pending
Wenxiu ‘Joni’ Zhang
MS Student
Architectural Engineering
wuz91@psu.edu
Advisor: Somayeh Asadi
Exp Grad: May 2019
A review and evaluation of BIM application in the prefabrication process
Analysis of BIM uses that facilitate information exchange during the prefabrication.
Xiaohui Wang
PhD Student
Architectural Engineering
Advisor: John Messner
Exp Grad: Dec 2021
Evaluating Pedagogical Value of Immersive Virtual Reality Training for construction workers
Xiaohui’s research is focused on development of immersive VR training modules and evaluation of educational value of VR training so that future construction workers have easy access to risk-free and more effective safety training program.
Jonathan Nelson
PhD Student
Architectural Engineering
Advisor: Robert Leicht
Exp Grad: Dec 2021
Topic pending
Moad Gadi
Graduate Student
Advisor: John Messner
Exp Grad: May 2021
Topic pending
Junqi Zhao
PhD Candidate
Architectural Engineering
Advisor: Esther Obonyo
Exp Grad: May 2020
Towards a Real-time Data-Driven Approach for Proactive Injury Prevention in Construction
Alumni
Issa Ramaji, Ph.D.: Post-Doctoral Scholar: Advisor, John Messner; PhD in Architectural Engineering; Advisor: Ali Memari; Current Position: Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management, Roger Williams University.
Yewande Abraham, Ph.D.: PhD in AE: Dec. 2017: Advisor, Chimay Anumba.
Pelin Gultekin, PhD in AE, Topic: An Integrated Process Model and Decision Support System For Energy Efficient Retrofits.
Li Jiang, Ph.D.: PhD in AE; Advisor, Robert Leicht.
Jean Laurent: MS in AE, Advisor, Robert Leicht; Current Position: Project Engineer with DPR.
Saratu Torreno, Ph.D.: PhD in AE; Advisor, Somayeh Asadi; Current Position, Postdoctoral Scholar in AE at Penn State (see above).
Allison Townes: MS in AE; Advisor, Robert Leicht; Current Position: Project Engineer, Davis Construction.
Fu-ju Wu, Ph.D.: PhD in AE, Advisor, David Riley; Current Position: Project Engineer, Adolfson & Peterson Construction
Xiao (Michelle) Yang, Ph.D.: PhD in AE (Dec. 2016); Advisor, David Riley: Current Position: Senior Consultant, EY.
Ehsan Mostavi, Ph.D.: PhD in AE; Advisor, Somayeh Asadi.
Miaomiao Niu, Ph.D.: PhD in AE; Advisor, Robert Leicht.
Yifan Liu, Ph.D.: PhD in AE; Advisor, John Messner. Current Position: Google.
Fangxiao Liu, Ph.D.: PhD in AE; Advisor, Chimay Anumba: Current Position: Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University.
Gretchen Macht, Ph.D.: PhD in Industrial Engineering; Post-Doctoral Scholar, August 2015; Thesis Title: Engineering Selection Protocols for Team Performance; Current Position: Assistant Professor, Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island
Bryan Franz, Ph.D.: Post-Doctoral Scholar: January 2015 - July 2015; Ph.D. in AE; December 2014; Advisor: Robert Leicht; Thesis Title: Organizing Project Delivery Teams for Collaboration; Current Position: Assistant Professor, Rinker School of Construction, University of Florida
Russ Manning, Ph.D.: Ph.D. in AE; December 2014; Advisor, John Messner; Thesis Title: Healthcare Facility Acquisition Outcomes: The Relationship of Delivery, Procurement, and Contracting To Cost and Schedule Performance; Current Position: Penn State Office of Physical Plant.
Ruoyun (Ryan) Gao, MS in AE; 2014; Advisor, John Messner. Thesis Title: Developing The Construction Phase Of The Integrated Building Lifecycle Process Model For Retrofit Projects: Current Position: Director of Project Consulting Business, China Shenhua Energy Group.
Sreelatha Chunduri, Ph.D. in AE; August 2014; Advisor, John Messner. Thesis Title: Development of Planning and Design Phases of an Integrative Building Lifecycle Process Model for Advanced Energy Retrofit Projects; Current Position: Digital Construction Specialist at BAM.
Tabitha Sprau Coulter, Ph.D. in AE; August 2014; Advisor, Robert Leicht; co-Advisor, David Riley; Ph.D. Thesis Title: Improving Energy Audit Process and Report Outcomes Through Planning Initiatives; M.S. in AE; May 2009; MS Advisor, Michael Horman; M.S. Thesis Title: Process Metrics for Predicting Sustainable Building End Performance; Current Position: Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at King’s College.
Steve Ayer, Ph.D.. Post-Doctoral Scholar: August 2013 - July 2014 Ph.D. in AE; August 2013; Advisor, John Messner; co-Advisor, Chimay Anumba Thesis Title: Sustainability education of engineering students using augmented reality and simulation games Current Position: Assistant Professor, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University.
Eric Nulton: M.S. in AE; August 2013; Advisor, John Messner Thesis Title: Analysis of Legal Concepts for Projects Implementing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the United States Current Position: Electrical Engineer, The Office of Physical Plant, The Pennsylvania State Univeristy.
Atefeh Mohammadpour, Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Chimay Anumba; co-Advisor, John Messner Thesis Title: Retrofitting Healthcare Facilities to Enhance Patient Safety and Energy Efficiency Current Position: Assistant Professor, Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).
Sanghoon Lee, Ph.D., Post-Doctoral Scholar, August 2010 - May 2014 Current Position: Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, The University of Hong Kong.
Ryan Solnosky, Ph.D. in AE; May 2013; Advisor, Kevin Parfitt. Thesis Title: Integrated Structural Process Model: An Inclusive Non-material Specific Approach to Determining the Required Tasks and Information Exchanges for Structural Building Information Modeling Current Position: Assistant Teaching Professor at Penn State University.
Sai Yerrapathruni, M.S. in AE; Advisor, John Messner Thesis Title: Use of 4D CAD and Immersive Projection Displays to Improve Construction Planning Current Position: Sr. Director of Business Development at Skanska USA Building Inc.
Ralph Kreider, Ph.D. in AE; December 2013; Advisor, John Messner; co-Advisor, Chimay Anumba Thesis Title: An Ontology of the Uses of Building Information Modeling Current Position: BIM Program Manager, MBP.
Sonali Kumar, Ph.D. in AE; May 2013; Advisor, John Messner; co-Advisor, Chimay Anumba Ph.D. Thesis Title: Experience-based design review of healthcare facilities using interactive virtual prototypes M.A. in Architecture; December 2008; Advisor, Katsu Muramoto M.A. Thesis Title: Virtual Architectural Workspaces Digitally Mediated Collaboration in the Architectural Design Process Current Position: Technology Process Manager at Balfour Resource Group.
Colleen Kasprzak M.S. in AE; December 2013; Advisor, John Messner. Thesis Title: A Planning Procedure for the Identification and Development of Owner Information Exchange Requirements for Capital Facility Projects Current Position: Senior Building Information Specialist at WeWork.
Ashwin Ramesh, M.S. in AE; Advisor, John Messner. Research Area: Planning the Quality Assurance and Control for Facility Information Handover. Current Position: VDC Coordinator at Clayco.
Craig Dubler, Ph.D. in AE; August 2011; Advisor, John Messner. Research Area: Implementing Building Information Modeling in the Construction Industry Current Position: Virtual Facilities Engineer, The Office of Physical Plant, The Pennsylvania State University.
Dragana Nikolic, Ph.D. in AE; August 2011; Advisor, John Messner Research Area: Development of Simulation Games for Construction Engineering Education Current Position: Lecturer in Digital Architecture at University of Reading
Abdou Jallow, Ph.D., Post-Doctoral Scholar: November 2011 - August 2013 Research Area: Energy Efficient Building (EEB) Hub Project Current Position: Instructor and Program Coordinator of IST at Penn State New Kensington.
Elena Enache-Pommer, Ph.D. in AE, December 2011, Advisor: John Messner, co-Advisor: David Riley. M.S. in AE, May 2008, Advisor Michael Horman. Ph.D. Thesis Title: A Synergistic Approach to Green Building Delivery, Lean Principles and Building Information Modeling in the Design of Healthcare Facilities. M.S. Thesis Title: Lean and Green Healthcare Facilities: Improving the Delivery Process of Children's Hospitals. Current Position: Sustainability & Application Development Leader - Dow Building Solutions R&D at Dow Chemical.
Tanyel Turkaslan-Bulbul, Ph.D. Post-Doctoral Scholar, August 2009 - May 2010; Current Position: Associate Professor, Department of Building Construction, Virginia Tech.
George Joseph, M.S. in AE: Advisor, John Messner. Research, Topic: Driving Forces for Using Global Engineering Services; Current Position: Project Engineer at The Clark Construction Group, Inc.
Nevena Zikic, M.S. in AE; 2009; Advisor, John Messner. Research Area: Impact of Immersive Display Media for Design and Construction Visualization; Current Position: MEP Project Manager, The Clark Construction Group.
Robert Leicht Ph.D. in AE; May 2009; Advisor, John Messner. Research Area: The Impact of Interactive Workspaces on Team Performance in Construction; Current Position: Assistant Professor, Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University (see Faculty information above).
Chitwan Saluja, M.S. in AE; December 2009; Advisor, John Messner. Research Area: Process Mapping Procedure for Planning BIM Execution on a Building Construction Project. Current Position: Director of Technology, PM/CM North Region, Jacobs
Rajitha Gopinath M.S. in AE; Advisor, John Messner. Research Area: Investigating Tacit Knowledge Externalization with Virtual Building Prototypes.
Shrimant Jaruhar M.S. in AE; 2008; Advisor, John Messner. Research Area: A Virtual Construction Simulator for Engineering Education; Current Position: Associate, A.T. Kearney.
Alexandre Zolotov MEng in AE; Spring 2007; Advisor, John Messner. Research Area: Using Virtual Reality to Improve Construction Engineering Education Current Position: VDC Director - Mission Critical, Skanska.
Ling-yun 'Grace' Wang M.S. in AE; Spring 2007; Advisor, John Messner. Research Topic: Learning Application for 4D Modeling; Current Position: CAD/BIM Technical Program Manager, Google.
Adam Platt, M.S. in CE M.S. in CE; Summer 2007 Research Topic: 4D CAD for Highway Projects Current Position: Environment Superintendent, Mosaic Company
Chuan 'Victor' Chen, Ph.D. Ph.D. in AE; Spring 2006; Advisor, John Messner. Research Topic: Entry Strategies in International Construction Markets. Current Position: Professor of Engineering Management, Business School, Sichuan University.
Bo 'Chris' Tan M.S. in AE; Advisor, John Messner Research Topic: Developing a Construction Trade Space Planning Methodology in Immersive Environments Current Position: BIM Director at Asia Pacific, HCI, Inc.
Abiola Akanmu, Ph.D. Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Chimay Anumba, Co-advisor, John Messner. Research Area: Wireless Sensing and Building Information Modeling. Current Position: Assistant Professor at Western Michigan University.
Marwa El Wardani M.S. in AE; Advisor, John Messner Research Topic: Evaluating Design-Build Procurement Methods Scott Shaulis M.Eng. in AE; Advisor, John Messner. Current Position: Operations Action Officer at NAVFAC Headquarters F.
Idil Akcetin M.S. in AE; Advisor, Robert Leicht. Current Position: Assistant Project Manager, Arup.
Bevan Mace, Ph.D. Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Vice President, Balfour Beatty Construction Company.
Ju Gao, PhD: M.S. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Completed PhD at Sanford. Current Position: Assistant Professor at University of Hong Kong.
Hisham AbulHassan, Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Preconstruction Manager at The Haskell Company.
Amit Garg, MS in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Managing Director and head of APAC operations at Secretariat International.
Mark Konchar, Ph.D.: Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Balfour Beatty.
Ted Lynch, Ph.D.: Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: President, Southland Industries
Emily (O’Connor) Nochez: M.S. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Project Executive at Charles Pankow Builders
David Riley, Ph.D.: Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Professor of Architectural Engineering, Penn State
John Messner, Ph.D.: Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Charles and Elinor Matts Professor of Architectural Engineering, Penn State (see Faculty information above)
Kirby Kuntz, Ph.D.: Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Project Manager at Hensel Phelps Construction Company
Eric Hanlon: M.S. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido.
Kevin Potter: M.S. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Senior Project Manager at Jones Lang LaSalle
Anthony Vesay: M.S. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido.
Greg Perkinson, M.S. in AE; 1991: Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Vice President for Finance and Administration at Southern Oregon University
Awad Hanna, Ph.D.: Ph.D. in AE; Advisor, Victor Sanvido. Current Position: Boldt Company Professor in Construction and Engineering Management, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Michael Toole, Ph.D.: Previous PACE Fellow (2016/2017), Current Position: Dean, College of Engineering, University of Toledo.
Robert Amor, Ph.D.: Previous PACE Fellow (2015-2016), Current Position: Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Auckland.
Steve Rowlinson, Ph.D.: Previous PACE Fellow (2014-2015), Current Position: Professor, Hong Kong University.
George Otto, Previous Technology Management Support, Visualization and Virtual Reality Specialist, Information Technology Services. Retired.
Victor Sanvido, Ph.D.: Previous Director and Founder, CIC Research Program, The Pennsylvania State University Previous Professor of Architectural Engineering and Director, PACE, The Pennsylvania State University, Current Position: Senior Vice President, Southland Industries
Randolph Thomas, Ph.D.: Emeritus Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University. Retired.
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