Keynote Speakers
Assoc. Prof. Khairunisa Muthusamy
Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Malaysia
Biography:
Khairunisa Muthusamy is an Associate Professor who has been involved in teaching and research activities for more than 20 years in the Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang. She received her PhD in Civil Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2009. Since then, she has been actively involved in environmental friendly concrete research. She has published more than 100 journal papers and conference proceedings related to concrete research. Her keen interest in exploring the potential of local waste materials especially from palm oil industry for concrete use has resulted in development of green lightweight concretes. Her research product has won gold awards in international exhibition. She is also the member of Board of Engineers Malaysia and Concrete Society of Malaysia.
Speech Title: Reimagining Resources: Harnessing Waste for Durable and Sustainable Construction
Abstract: The construction industry faces dual challenges: addressing the environmental impact of traditional building materials and ensuring the long-term durability of infrastructure. These challenges are compounded by the global demand for sustainable practices and the need to reduce waste. This presentation explores innovative approaches to repurposing industrial by products and construction waste into durable construction materials, contributing to both environmental sustainability and the longevity of buildings. Utilizing materials such as discarded ceramic tiles and palm oil fuel ash in concrete production not only reduces landfill waste and conserves natural resources but also enhances the durability of concrete. For example, ground palm oil fuel ash serves as a partial cement replacement, improving resistance to chemical attacks and reducing permeability. Similarly, replacing natural river sand with recycled industrial waste enhances the structural integrity of concrete, contributing to longer lasting infrastructure. This presentation will provide insights into technical innovations, case studies, and the broader implications of waste utilization, inspiring international collaboration to advance sustainable construction practices. By fostering a circular economy, the construction sector can contribute to a cleaner environment and more resilient community.
Dr. Hamid Soleymani
City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Biography:
Dr. Hamid R. Soleymani received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) in 1987. He spent over four years teaching and conducting research at IUST before continuing his education in Canada, where he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1997. Following his Ph.D., Dr. Soleymani worked as a research associate at the North Central Superpave Center at Purdue University, USA, for three years. During this time, he served as the principal research engineer for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 9-12 project, titled: "Incorporation of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement with Superpave.” From 2000 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2012, Dr. Soleymani was a faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta, Canada. He taught both undergraduate and graduate courses, including civil engineering materials, transportation engineering, and pavement management systems. He was also involved in several research projects for Alberta Transportation and the City of Edmonton, focusing on pavement engineering.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Soleymani has over four years of experience as a senior pavements and materials engineer in consulting firms in Edmonton, Canada. For the past decade, he has worked with both the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and the City of Edmonton. Throughout his career, he has delivered numerous professional courses for road engineers and technologists across Canada.
With more than 25 years of combined academic and industry experience, Dr. Soleymani brings a unique North American perspective in the field of pavement and infrastructure engineering. He is a registered professional engineer in Alberta (APEGA) and holds various professional certifications, including IPWEA Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning.
Dr. Soleymani has authored over 50 papers in technical journals and conference proceedings. His research interests include infrastructure maintenance and management, asphalt and concrete materials characterization, Superpave technology, pavement design, rehabilitation and maintenance, materials modeling, pavement performance evaluation, and pavement management systems.
Dr. Jitendra Kumar Singh
Research and Development, Jindal Steel and Power, Angul, Odisha, India
Biography:
Dr. Jitendra Kumar Singh was born in Varanasi, India, and earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur-Howrah, West Bengal, in 2017. He began his career as a Project Associate in the Corrosion and Surface Engineering division at CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur, where he worked from April 2009 to October 2014. Following this, he joined the Department of Architectural Engineering at ERICA campus, Hanyang University, South Korea, as a researcher from August 2015 to February 2019. He continued at the same institute as a Research Professor until March 2022.
In April 2022, Dr. Singh took on the role of Assistant Professor, and in March 2024, he was promoted to Associate Professor at Hanyang University, South Korea. In July 2024, he returned to India, joined Jindal Steel and Power in Odisha as an Assistant General Manager (AGM) in the R&D department.
With over 100 publications, including research articles in SCI/SCIE journals, patents, copyrights, and book chapters, Dr. Singh's research interests span a wide array of topics. These include nanocomposite coatings, dual metal/polymer coatings, thermal spray technology, hot-dip galvanizing, corrosion, inhibitors, electrochemistry, the synthesis of novel materials for corrosion protection of metals and alloys, conservation of metallic artifacts, concrete durability, sensors and semiconductors, advanced materials, techniques to reduce coating porosity, and energy storage materials.
Dr. Stavros Sakellariou
Brunel University London, London, United Kingdom
Biography:
Dr. Stavros Sakellariou is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research Fellow at Brunel University of London, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research project FIREWISE, funded by the UKRI/HORIZON scheme, which aims to establish an integrated framework for proactive wildfire resilience assessment and management. With 6.5 years of postdoctoral research experience as a Senior Researcher and 4 years of pre-doctoral research, Dr. Sakellariou has worked on 8 multi-partner projects addressing natural disasters, spatial planning, forest fire management, and environmental resilience. His research has contributed to innovative methodologies for assessing wildfire risks and optimizing resource allocation, informing policy and operational practices. Dr. Sakellariou has published over30 articles in international scientific journals, 45 conference papers, and 3 book chapters. He has served as an invited speaker at national and international universities and conferences, where he has presented on integrating geoinformatics into wildfire management. His editorial experience includes acting as Lead Guest Editor for two special issues on natural disasters and wildfires, and he has reviewed for over 25 scientific journals. He has earned 7 national and international awards. Alongside his research, Dr. Sakellariou has taught for 6 years in MSc programs (e.g., Natural Disasters Analysis and Management, Climate Change Management and Spatial Resilience) and 5.5 years in undergraduate programs (e.g., Forest Fires, Natural Hazards, Climate Change), reflecting his dedication to education and knowledge dissemination. He holds a degree in Spatial Planning and Regional Development (MEng), an MSc in Spatial Planning & Development, an MSc in Geospatial Technologies (Erasmus Mundus – Joint Degree), and a PhD specializing in Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) for the Prevention and Management of Wildfires.
Speech Title: Enhancing Spatial Resilience to Wildfires: Integrating Vulnerability, Human Impact, and Road Network Features into Spatial Planning
Abstract: Wildland fires, while natural phenomena, can cause severe damage to natural and cultural environments, particularly during high-severity events. This study aims to enhance wildfire resilience by developing optimized location plans for fire brigade vehicles within distinct administrative units. The added value lies in the fact that the optimized positions for initial attack consider both wildfire vulnerability and the impact of slope on travel time, providing a valuable tool for fire managers within each operational unit. Building upon previous research that examined a single plan for the entire study area, this study focuses on localized optimization by allocating resources specific to each administrative unit's boundaries and constraints. Key inputs include wildland fire vulnerability mapping, enriched with human impact on fire ignition. The impact of topography on travel time was thoroughly analyzed and incorporated into the optimization process. The results reveal that while two of the five operational units are adequately equipped, the remaining three are at high risk, with resources covering only half or less of their territories. This underscores the urgent need for additional resources in vulnerable areas. The methodology not only maximizes resource coverage but also highlights the critical role of spatial planning in enhancing resilience to wildfires. Hence, the outcomes may serve multiple stakeholders, such as first responders (fire brigade) for minimizing initial attack times in the most vulnerable areas; spatial planners for selecting optimal locations and types of firefighting infrastructure to enhance wildfire resilience; and infrastructure operators for coordinating immediate responses to wildfires, particularly those occurring at the borderlines of operational responsibilities.