Nefertari Carranza is the Founder and CEO of NCON, a construction technology firm specializing in integrating applications, data, and devices across the AECO lifecycle. With over a decade of experience in construction, infrastructure, and digital transformation, she has worked with leading organizations in the U.S. and Spain, driving innovation in BIM and data connectivity. Her research focuses on iPaaS-enabled integration between BIM and digital twins, promoting interoperability, open APIs, and seamless data flow across the built environment.

Esraa Daoud is an experienced professional in geotechnical engineering with over 19 years of expertise spanning ground engineering, design management, and foundation design of major structures. Currently pursuing her PhD at the University Polytechnic of Valencia, she also serves as the Regional Head of Geotechnical – Middle East at Atkins Realis. Her extensive experience includes scoping, ground investigation specification and supervision, ground improvement and pile testing, geotechnical interpretation, and determination of geotechnical parameters. She has played a key role in the design management and foundation design of significant projects such as commercial and retail developments, high-rise buildings, rail and highway infrastructure. She has also been actively involved in enabling works and piling contracts for a wide range of construction schemes and developments across the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Qatar.

Pablo Casal Herrera is a highly accomplished Senior Project Manager with 24 years of international experience in the design, construction, and management of large-scale civil and commercial works. Based in Madrid, Spain, he currently leads high-impact projects, including the management of Data Center construction contracts for AI at Microsoft EMEA. With a career spanning prestigious firms such as CorePCM, Bovis Lend Lease, and Pan American Energy, Pablo has managed landmark developments across Europe and Latin America. His expertise is distinguished by advanced certifications, including LEED AP-BD+C and BREEAM, and he is a pioneer in implementing Lean methodologies and Target Value Design to achieve significant cost and time optimizations. Beyond his technical and managerial excellence, Pablo is a prominent figure in the professional community, with an influential network of over 25,000 followers on LinkedIn. He is also an accredited Coach Facilitator, recognized for his ability to mentor and coordinate synergistic, high-performing teams in complex engineering environments.

Dr. Sam Yao, Ph.D., P.E. is Senior Principal and Vice President at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, where he has led the Marine Engineering Group for over a decade. With more than 36 years of experience, he has specialized in the design and rehabilitation of marine structures and heavy civil works, including bridges, tunnels, piers, wharves, seawalls, dry docks, flood protection systems, and shoreline protection. Dr. Yao holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a B.S. from Tongji University, Shanghai. He is a registered Professional Engineer in multiple U.S. states and Canada. He has authored numerous publications and delivered invited presentations on seismic retrofit, coastal infrastructure, waterfront structures, and innovative construction techniques at leading international conferences. His contributions have earned him recognition, including the 2014 NCSEA Award for the SR-520 Floating Replacement Bridge and the 2012 Senacyt Panama Award for his role on the Technical Advisory Board of the Panama Canal Expansion Program.

Prof. Jamal Khatib is an Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Wolverhampton, UK, with over 35 years of academic and research experience. He has held positions at Aberdeen, South Wales, and Sheffield Hallam Universities and became a Professor in 2012. His research focuses on sustainable construction materials, including waste utilization, metakaolin, concrete durability, and self-compacting concrete. He has published 500+ journal and conference papers, with 14,000+ citations and H-indexes of 30 (ISI), 36 (Scopus), and 53 (Google Scholar). Recognized among the top 0.3% of researchers globally in building and construction (Stanford University, 2020–2024), he is also ranked among the top authors in cement (Microsoft Academic). Prof. Khatib has served as a reviewer for 300+ journals, a technical committee member for 100+ conferences, and an editorial board member for multiple academic journals. He has received research funding from the EU, British Council, and Royal Society and has strong research collaborations worldwide.

Dr. Hamed Mousavi is an Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering at Kermanshah University of Technology since October 2024. He earned his Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology in 2019. His doctoral research focused on the "Application of the finite strip method combined with the element-free Galerkin method in solving plate problems." Dr. Mousavi also holds an M.Sc. in Structural Engineering from Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology (2013), where he researched the computer simulation of gas shock absorbers in steel frames. He completed his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering at Razi University in 2010, graduating as the third-ranked student. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Mousavi served as the Director of Structural Engineering at ASACO Company, where he worked on industrial retrofitting projects. He has authored a book on finite element analysis with ABAQUS for Civil Engineers and published several journal and conference papers on advanced structural analysis, seismic design, and retrofitting techniques. His research interests include numerical methods in structural mechanics, earthquake engineering, and structural rehabilitation.

Endrit Tuzi is a highly experienced architect and academic from Albania, specializing in architecture, urban planning, and heritage conservation. A graduate of the Polytechnic University of Tirana with advanced studies from La Sapienza University of Rome and Polytechnic University of Valencia, he has led and co-authored numerous public and private projects across Albania, including schools, government buildings, and urban development plans. He currently serves as a lecturer at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Tirana and is pursuing doctoral studies in Architecture Technology.

Dr. Ahmad Shtayya is the CEO of Radian Engineering Consultant (Riyadh) with 22 years of experience in architectural engineering, project management, and sustainability consulting across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, and Palestine. He holds an MSc in Project Management from Anglia Ruskin University (UK) and is currently a PhD candidate at Management & Science University (MSU), Malaysia, with research focused on project governance and sustainability. He is a LEED AP in Neighbourhood Development and a USGBC Faculty member, supporting clients in integrating sustainable practices into project delivery across complex developments.

Dr. Munir Nazzal is the Director of the Center for Smart, Sustainable& Resilient Infrastructure (CSSRI) and a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. With more than $18 million in research funding, his work focuses on developing and implementing novel methods and advanced technologies to improve the safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of infrastructure and preparing it for the next generation of transportation, including connected and autonomous vehicles. Dr. Nazzal’s recent paradigm-shifting research work allows using vehicles sensors data in infrastructure asset evaluation and management. The Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Research Advisory Council selected one of his projects for the High Value Research Supplement Award in 2023. Dr. Nazzal has published more than 170 peer-reviewed technical papers/reports and supervised 36 graduate students. In 2024, he recieved the Univeristy of Cincnniti George Rieveschl Jr. Award for Distinguished Scientific Research, the highest research recognition at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Nazzal is a member of several national and regional committees on transportation infrastructure, including the Ohio State Transportation Innovation Council. Dr. Nazzal is an editor for the ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering and Buildings Journal.

Dr. Kai Qian is a Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, and Vice President of Guilin University of Technology. He has been honored with a series of high-level academic titles, namely the National Excellent Young Scholar, Guangxi Bagui Scholar, and Guangxi Outstanding Young Scholar. Notably, he has been selected as a Highly Cited Chinese Researcher and ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists for five consecutive years, which highlights his prominent academic influence in the industry. Focusing on frontier research in his professional field, he has published more than 160 authoritative papers in top SCI journals, with his research achievements receiving over 6,000 SCI citations worldwide. Additionally, the applicant has received multiple academic honors, including the First Prize of the Guangxi Natural Science Award (ranked first), the Second Prize of the Guangxi Science and Technology Progress Award (ranked first), and the Guangxi Youth Science and Technology Award. Besides, the applicant was the Second Vice President and Fellow of the Singapore Association of Engineers and Experts, and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Singapore Branch. He also serves as Associate Editor-in-Chief or Editorial Board Member for two SCI journals, has chaired five international academic conferences, and has delivered eight invited keynote presentations at international academic conferences.

Prof. Dr. González is Professor and Head of the Smart Building Management Competence Group at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Switzerland. She also serves as an external lecturer at ETH Zurich, HSLU, HWZ, and other academic and professional institutions. Her research and professional work focus on smart buildings and cities, sustainable construction, digitalization, and human-centered strategies for the built environment. She earned her PhD in Madrid and Tokyo, conducted postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich and the University of Liechtenstein, and holds an MBA from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, along with executive education from INSEAD. Prof. Dr. González has led complex urban and real estate projects across Europe and Asia, published widely, and received several academic honors, including the Extraordinary UPM Research Prize.

Ralf Schustereder is a seasoned executive leader specializing in organizational transformation and large-scale infrastructure projects, with extensive experience across the UAE and MENA region. With over a decade of C-level leadership in the Middle East, he has successfully led complex organizations through periods of rapid growth, regulatory compliance, and strategic repositioning. Drawing from his deep expertise in the construction and contracting sector, Schustereder has managed infrastructure projects, applying proven methodologies from the construction industry to drive operational excellence and financial stability in complex operational environments. His leadership approach combines rigorous cost performance management with strategic transformation, enabling organizations to scale effectively while maintaining quality and safety standards. Currently leading a major infrastructure project in Valencia, Spain, Schustereder brings unique cross-continental insights, bridging the dynamic construction markets of the UAE with European standards and practices. His experience spans leading multinational teams, and navigating the distinct challenges of both emerging and established markets—from the fast-paced development environment of the Emirates to the regulatory frameworks of European projects. His leadership philosophy centers on organizational transformation, empowering teams to deliver ambitious projects while ensuring financial viability and operational safety. This combination of UAE construction sector experience and current European project leadership positions him to offer valuable perspectives on the evolving challenges of international infrastructure development and cross-border construction management.

Dr. Abdolreza Osouli is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a registered Professional Engineer in Missouri. He currently serves as Principal Investigator for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Project R27-157 on plasticity requirements for aggregates in highway applications, and Co-Principal Investigator for Project R27-188 on evaluating drilled shaft integrity testing methods. Dr. Osouli has led and contributed to multiple IDOT-funded research studies, including stormwater management best practices, drilled shaft design in weak rock, and retaining wall performance under seismic loading. His research expertise spans deep foundations, soil and rock characterization, seismic behavior of geostructures, soil-structure interaction, and erosion mechanisms. He earned his Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Sharif University of Technology. Dr. Osouli has published more than 20 journal articles and 40 conference papers, contributing significantly to geotechnical and transportation engineering research.

Dr. Faisal Manzoor Arain is a distinguished academic leader and construction project management professional with an MS and PhD in Construction Project Management. He brings extensive international experience across academia and industry in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Canada. Dr. Arain has held senior leadership roles, including Vice President Academic, Associate Dean, Chair of Construction Project Management, and President of post-secondary institutions. He led the development of multiple academic programs, notably Canada’s first Bachelor of Science in Construction Project Management at SAIT, Calgary, and has contributed to national quality assurance and institutional review processes. With professional experience as an Architect, Project Manager, Director of Projects, and Consultant, Dr. Arain combines strong technical expertise with strategic leadership. An accomplished scholar, he has authored 120+ research publications, 12 books, and 2 book chapters, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Construction Project Management. He currently serves as the CEO and Co-founder of AM Management Global Inc., Alberta, and is widely recognized for his contributions to construction management, sustainability, and academic leadership.

Prof. Jaime Boris Irahola is a seasoned civil and structural engineer with over three decades of experience in infrastructure and construction management. He currently serves as a Senior Project Manager at HDR Inc. in Irvine, California, and is the CEO of The SPS Corporation, specializing in structural design and stormwater pipeline engineering services. During his tenure at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Mr. Irahola held several pivotal roles, including Office Chief for District 12 Construction, where he managed 120 engineers and administrators overseeing 92 projects totaling $1 billion. His extensive experience encompasses managing complex highway and bridge projects, structural design, and construction oversight. In academia, he contributes as a part-time lecturer at California State University, Long Beach, teaching various civil engineering courses. He also serves on the board of the Cal Poly Alumni Association, supporting scholarship initiatives. Mr. Irahola holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in California.

Hector Martin is a Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. He is a Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng) with a PhD in Construction Management and over 20 years of experience in civil and structural engineering design and construction. A former Technical Director at Morain & Martin Development LLC, he has led major public and private sector projects with expertise in business development, procurement, cost control, and stakeholder engagement. Dr. Martin is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Certified PMP, and an active member of ICE UK, ASCE, and the Board of Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago. His work integrates advanced project management with IT tools like MATLAB and Excel to drive performance and innovation.