Faculty
Ibukun Gabriel Awolusi, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator and Director of (SI)2 Lab
ibukun.awolusi@utsa.edu | (210) 458-3060
Google Scholar ResearchGate LinkedinEducation
2017  Ph.D., Civil Engineering, The University of Alabama
2015  M.S., Civil Engineering, The University of Alabama
2014  M.Sc., Construction Management (Distinction), University of Lagos
2009  B.Sc., Building (First Class Honors), University of Lagos
Dr. Ibukun Gabriel Awolusi is an Assistant Professor and Division Leader of Construction Science and Management in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Prior to joining academia, Dr. Awolusi worked in the construction industry for several years where he managed the construction of various building and infrastructure projects. Dr. Awolusi’s research interests and expertise are in construction safety, safety in manufacturing, innovation, technology integration, sustainable materials and infrastructure, construction education, and workforce development. He teaches construction safety and advanced concepts in construction safety planning and management. As a seasoned educator and researcher who is passionate about providing result-oriented solutions to problems, Dr. Awolusi continuously contributes to the body of knowledge through his scholarly work and the implementation of innovative pedagogies. He has been honored with several prestigious awards for his outstanding achievements in teaching and research by different academic and professional organizations. Dr. Awolusi is an ACUE Teaching Fellow of the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), an Online Teaching Faculty Champion at UTSA, and an active member of several professional organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), and the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST). He has published and presented numerous research articles in top-tier peer-reviewed journals and notable international conferences.
Graduate Student Researchers
Chinedu Patrick Okonkwo
Ph.D. Student and Graduate Research Assistant
Google Scholar ResearchGate LinkedinEducation
2015  B.Eng., Civil Engineering (First Class Honors), University of Nigeria

Chinedu Patrick Okonkwo is currently a Ph.D. Student in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management at The University of Texas at San Antonio. He joined the (SI)2 Lab in Fall 2021. Chinedu has more than 6 years of industry work experience as a project engineer in the construction industry. His research interests are in construction safety, automation, and the application of artificial intelligence in construction. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and a recipient of several awards including the ASCE UESI Pipeline Student Scholarship, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarship, and the MTN Foundation Scholarship.

Roy Lan, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Student and Graduate Research Assistant
Google Scholar ResearchGate LinkedinEducation
2021  M.Sc., Construction Management (Distinction), University of Lagos
2009 B.Eng., Civil Engineering, Covenant University
Roy Lan is currently a Ph.D. Student in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management at The University of Texas at San Antonio. He joined the (SI)2 Lab in Fall 2022. 
Mehdi Torbat Esfahani, M.S.
Ph.D. Student and Graduate Research Assistant
Google Scholar ResearchGate LinkedinEducation
2023  M.S, Engineering/Industrial Management, Michigan Technological University
2012   M.S., Civil Engineering, Tafresh University
2008 B.Eng., Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch
Mehdi Torbat Esfahani is currently a Ph.D. Student in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management at The University of Texas at San Antonio. He joined the (SI)2 Lab in Spring 2023. The thesis project Mehdi worked on as part of his master’s degree in civil engineering was ranked first among 32 students. His research focuses on construction safety management, technology, and automation in construction. Mehdi is currently a member of the American Society of civil engineers (ASCE) and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). Mehdi also has more than 10 years of industry experience in construction engineering and management.
Undergraduate Student Researchers
Katelyn Trevino
Program: B.S. in Construction Science and Management
Research: Virtual Reality for Hands-on Construction Laboratory Training
Stefanie Zuniga
Program: B.S. in Construction Science and Management
Research: Managing Safety in Steel Erection
Jo Kaspersen
Program: B.S. in Construction Science and Management
Research: Computer Vision for Safety and Infrastructure Monitoring

 

Recent Graduates and Alumni
Aliu Akinsemoyin, M.S.
M.S. in Civil Engineering (May 2022)
Research: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) and Deep Learning for Safety and Health Monitoring on Construction SitesCurrent Position: Telecommunications Manager at ENTRUST Solutions Group
Noah Lubbering
B.S. in Construction Science and Management (Aug 2023)
Research: Interlocking Earthen Masonry Units for Sustainable Residential Building ConstructionCurrent Position: Facilities Mgt. Intern at Southwest Research Institute
Raul Sandoval
B.S. in Construction Science and Management (Aug 2022)
Research: Digital Technology for Safety and Health in Steel ManufacturingCurrent Position: Project Engineer at Catamount Constructors
Brenda Campbell
B.S. in Construction Science and Management (May 2022)
Research: Wearable IoT for Safety and Health Monitoring in Steel ManufacturingCurrent Position: Jr. Estimator at Embrey
Adrian Alcocer
B.S. in Construction Science and Management (May 2021)
Research: Construction Safety and Health in the Curriculum of Construction ProgramsCurrent Position: Project Coordinator at Mears Group Inc.
Jennifer Mondragon
B.S. in Construction Science and Management (Dec 2021)
Research: Characterization and Mapping of Safety and Health Hazards in Steel ManufacturingCurrent Position: Estimating Assistant at Foster Fence LTD