News

New joiner – Dr Sunghoon Jang

Dr Sunghoon Jang received his Ph.D. degree in Transportation Planning from the Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands in 2019. Prior to joining PolyU as an Assistant Professor, he worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the Eindhoven University of Technology and as a senior researcher at the Seoul National University. He is an expert in advanced travel behavior modeling, aiming to promote citizens' sustainable and active travel behavior to contribute to green transportation. Based on the understanding of citizens’ adoption and use of smart mobility systems, his research has been providing new insights into how to shape travel behavior, design sustainable transportation infrastructure, and improve transport policies together. Dr Jang has joined us on 15 May 2023.

Dr Zhen Leng Being Elected as the President of the Academy of Pavement Science and Engineering

The Board of Governors of Academy of Pavement Science and Engineering (APSE) announced on 4 May 2023 that Dr Zhen Leng, Associate Professor of CEE, had been elected as the President of the 2023-2025 Executive Board. The executive board officers for the next two years include: President: Zhen Leng (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)  Vice President: Shane Underwood (North Carolina State University, USA) Secretary: Katerina Varveri (Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands) Treasurer: Hasan Ozer (Arizona State University, USA) Past President: Eyad Masad (Texas A&M University at Qatar, Qatar) APSE is a global community of academics working together to educate, innovate, and advance the profession of pavement science and engineering (www.pavements.academy).

CEE PhD student’s Paper Awarded First Prize in The 3rd ‘Science Bridge’ International Workshop on High-performance Green Construction Materials and Technology

Congratulations to Mr Muduo Li, CEE PhD student supervised by Prof. Dan Tsang, whose paper entitled “Multi-phase modelling of a porous cementitious composite – towards the realistic situation” received the First Prize in The 3rd ‘Science Bridge’ International Workshop on High-performance Green Construction Materials and Technology in Chengdu, China.

Dr Chao Zhou Awarded Huang Wenxi – Chen Zongji Geomechanics Youth Award 2023

Congratulations to Dr Chao Zhou, Assistant Professor of CEE, for being awarded Huang Wenxi – Chen Zongji Geomechanics Youth Award 2023 (2023年黃文熙 – 陳宗基岩土力學獎 – 青年獎) from Technical Committee of Geomechanics, Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (中國力學學會岩土力學專業委員會). This award recognizes his outstanding contribution and research achievements in the field of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering.

Best Environmental Sciences Scientists in China 2023

The 2nd edition of Research.com ranking of the best scientists in the field of Environmental Sciences in China 2023 were announced in April 2023. Position in the ranking is based on a scholar’s D-index (Discipline H-index), which includes exclusively publications and citation metrics for an examined discipline.  Congratulations to Prof. Shun-cheng Lee, Prof. Dan Tsang, Prof. Xiangdong Li and Prof. Tao Wang achieving National Rank 7, National Rank 8, National Rank 13 and National Rank 30 respectively in Best Environmental Sciences Scientists in China 2023.

New joiner - Dr Kai ZHOU

Dr Zhou received his B.S. and M.S. in automotive engineering from Chongqing University in 2007 and 2010, respectively, and received his Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut (UCONN) in 2015. After graduation, he worked in the industry as a research engineer and then returned to academia as a postdoctoral researcher in the advanced manufacturing research group at UCONN. Prior to joining PolyU as an Assistant Professor in May 2023, he was a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Technological University (MTU). Dr Zhou has a broad research interest, ranging from structural dynamics and vibrations, structural health monitoring, machinery fault prognosis and health management, smart materials and sensors, to advanced manufacturing processes. He has strong expertise in data-driven design optimization, uncertainty quantification and reliability analysis, machine learning, and modeling and simulation of multi-physics systems and processes. He has published over 50 refereed journal articles and conference proceedings in relevant technical areas. He has served as a session chair for the 2022 ASME IDETC/CIE, 2022 MECC, and 2023 ASME IDETC/CIE. He also has served as a lead guest editor for Frontiers and MDPI journals. He is currently a member of the Technical Committee on Vibration, Dynamic Systems, and Control Division ASME.  Dr Zhou has joined us on 2 May 2023.

PolyU CEE Webinar Series: Human-Robot Collaboration in the Construction Industry

Dr Jacqueline Lo delivered a seminar with the topic of “Human-Robot Collaboration in the Construction Industry” on 26 April 2023. It was co-organized with HKIE Civil Division.

New joiner - Dr Ahmad Muhammad Riaz

Dr Ahmad obtained his Ph.D. from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), Shanghai, China in 2021. He completed his master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Pakistan, in 2017 and 2013, respectively. From 2013 to 2017, Dr Ahmad served as a lecturer at MNS University of Engineering and Technology, Multan, Pakistan. He joined PolyU as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in 2021 and worked in this capacity until 2023. During this period, he also served as a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo in 2022-2023. Dr Ahmad research interests are primarily focused on the development of geopolymer and cement binders-based artificial aggregates, bio-composites, supplementary cementitious materials, and waste utilization.   Dr Ahmad has joined us on 27 April 2023.

PolyU Taster Programme 2023

The PolyU Taster Programme 2023 was successfully held on 22 April 2023 (Saturday). 31 students from different secondary schools joined the programme to learn more about CEE and the industry. Dr Andy Y.F. Leung, Associate Head of CEE, introduced the admission information and career prospects of BEng (Hons) Scheme in Civil Engineering and Sustainable Development. Students then formed groups to compete in the “Plastic Bridge Challenge”, which involved design, fabrication and testing of a bridge structure. Apart from the programme talk and workshop, students also visited our Structural Engineering Research Laboratory and Noise and Safety Laboratory. 

CEE Departmental Review 2023

CEE Departmental Review (DR), which aimed to review all Departmental activities for developmental purposes and international benchmarking, was successfully held on 3 and 4 April 2023.  Prof. Xiangdong Li (Dean of FCE, PolyU), Prof. Farhard Ansari (UIC Distinguished Professor, Department of Civil, Materials and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago), Prof. Julia Stegemann (Professor of Environmental Engineering, University College London) and Prof. Charles Wong (Professor, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, PolyU) have formed the Panel of this exercise. During the visit, the DR Panel met with CEE management team, staff and student representatives, industry representatives and alumni. CEE’s planning and strategy, academic programme updates and research achievements were deliberated. Laboratory tours to Concrete Materials Laboratory, Structural Engineering Research Laboratory and Railway Corner were also arranged for the two overseas panel members, namely Prof. Ansari and Prof. Stegemann.