Mr.M. Irsad Ozkaynak | Transportation Geotechnics | Best Researcher Award

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Mr.M. Irsad Ozkaynak | Transportation Geotechnics | Best Researcher Award

Mr.M. Irsad Ozkaynak , General Directorate of Highways of the Republic of Turkiye , Turkey.

M. Irsad Ozkaynak 🇹🇷 is a dedicated civil engineer 🏗️ and PhD candidate 🎓 specializing in transportation geotechnics. With over a decade of experience at the General Directorate of Highways R&D Department, he blends fieldwork, lab analysis, and advanced data modeling to improve highway infrastructure resilience 🛣️. His MSc research focused on strength evaluation through triaxial testing 🧪, while his PhD centers on resilient modulus modeling using AI and FWD data 🤖📊. He also contributed to post-earthquake road and bridge assessments after the 2023 Turkiye earthquakes 🌍⚠️. He actively collaborates with academic institutions and serves as a journal reviewer 📚.

Professional Profile

Scopus
Google Scholar

Education and Experience 

🎓 Education:

  • BSc in Civil Engineering (2009) 🏗️

  • MSc in Geotechnical Engineering (2017) 🧱

  • PhD Candidate in Civil Engineering – Focus: Transportation Geotechnics 🎓🛣️

💼 Experience:

  • Site Engineer – Bechtel-Enka Kosovo Motorway Project (1.5 years) 🏞️

  • Site Engineer & Chief – Various road and dam projects in Turkiye ⛏️

  • Engineer to Deputy Director – General Directorate of Highways R&D (2013–present) 🏢

  • Researcher in resilient modulus models and post-earthquake assessments 🌐📊

Summary Suitability

M. Irsad Ozkaynak, MSc and PhD candidate in Civil Engineering, is nominated for the Best Researcher Award in recognition of his impactful research and professional contributions in geotechnical and highway engineering. With over 15 years of experience, he serves at the General Directorate of Highways R&D Department in Türkiye, combining fieldwork, academic research, and engineering leadership. His work focuses on transportation geotechnics, resilient infrastructure design, and post-earthquake performance assessments, contributing to safer and more durable road networks. His dedication to applied research and innovation makes him a strong candidate for this prestigious award.

Professional Development 

M. Irsad Ozkaynak continuously enhances his expertise through active research, collaboration, and professional memberships 👨‍🔬🔍. He has contributed to three R&D projects, including a current transportation geotechnics initiative funded by his institution 🔬🚧. He serves as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Earthquake Engineering 📖 and collaborates with Istanbul and Gazi Universities 🤝. He is an active member of esteemed organizations such as TMMOB-IMO, ISSMGE, IGS, and the Turkish Earthquake Engineering Association 🏛️. His development journey emphasizes interdisciplinary growth, blending academic research, practical applications, and AI-based innovations 🤖📈 for geotechnical and transportation engineering.

Research Focus 

Ozkaynak’s research is rooted in transportation geotechnics and geotechnical earthquake engineering 🚧🌍. His work bridges theory and practice, targeting soil behavior, pavement design, and foundation performance under dynamic and static loads 🧱🛤️. He employs both lab techniques (e.g., triaxial tests) and data modeling tools (AI and statistical analysis) 🤖📊 to forecast pavement responses like resilient modulus, using inputs like FWD data. His post-earthquake field assessments aid infrastructure recovery efforts following seismic events ⚠️🛣️. Ozkaynak’s work is highly interdisciplinary, reinforcing safer, cost-effective, and sustainable highways across seismic and variable terrain conditions ♻️🌐.

Awards and Honors 

🏅 Participated in nationally recognized R&D projects in collaboration with top Turkish universities 🎓
📣 Reviewer for the Journal of Earthquake Engineering 📝
🛠️ Recognized for contributions to post-earthquake road and bridge evaluations following the 2023 Turkiye earthquakes 🌍
💼 Held leadership roles as Unit Chief and Deputy Director at the General Directorate of Highways R&D Department 🏢

Publication Top Notes

📘 Journal Articles 

  1. Ozkaynak, M.I., & Cetin, K.O. (2024). The performance of Karasu Bridge following the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaras-Turkiye earthquake sequence. Engineering Geology, 335, 107512. [Citations: 7]
    🔗 [SCI, Q1 Journal] | 🌍 Earthquake Engineering, Structural Analysis

  2. Ozkaynak, M.I., & Yilmaz, Y. (2024). Prediction of resilient modulus with pre-post experimental data of undisturbed subgrade soils using machine learning algorithms. Transportation Geotechnics, 49, 101396. [Citations: 1]
    🔗 [SCI, Q1 Journal] | 🛣️ Transportation Geotechnics, AI Modeling

📗 Conference Proceedings:

  1. Ozkaynak, M.I., & Altiok, Ş. (2023). Betonarme Duvarlar İçin Web Tabanlı Yazılım Geliştirme: Tasarımın Güvenliğini ve Verimliliğini İyileştiren Teknolojik Bir Adım. Karayolu 5. Ulusal Kongresi ve Sergisi, 115–124.
    💻 Structural Engineering, Software Tools

  2. Ozkaynak, M.I., & Yilmaz, Y. (2018). Farklı Kompaksiyon Enerjilerinde Sıkıştırılan Kilin Serbest Basınç Dayanımının Tahmin Edilmesi. Zemin Mekaniği ve Geoteknik Mühendisliği 17. Ulusal Konferansı.
    🧱 Soil Mechanics, Unconfined Compression Strength

📕 Technical Standards/Book Contributions:

  1. Durukan, A., Çevik, Y., Yalçın, B., İlginoğlu, M., Ozkaynak, M.I., Temiz, R., … (2023). Bölüm 250 – Dayanma Yapıları ve Şevlerin Desteklenmesi. In Karayolu Teknik Şartnamesi – 2023.
    📘 National Highway Technical Standards, Retaining Structures

  2. Ozkaynak, M.I. (2017). Sıkıştırılmış ara zeminlerin drenajlı ve drenajsız kayma dayanımı parametrelerinin ilişkilendirilmesi / Investigating the correlation between the drained and undrained shear strength parameters of compacted intermediate soils. Master’s Thesis, Gazi Üniversitesi.
    📚 Soil Mechanics, Shear Strength

  1. Yilmaz, Y., & Ozkaynak, M.I. (2015). Sıkıştırma Enerji Düzeyinin Kohezyonlu Bir Taban Zemininin Esneklik Modülüne Etkisinin Araştırılması. Zemin Mekaniği ve Temel Mühendisliği 15. Ulusal Kongresi, 975–984.
    🧪 Soil Compaction, Elastic Modulus

Conclusion

M. Irsad Ozkaynak’s blend of academic excellence, engineering practice, and dedication to infrastructure resilience strongly positions him as a deserving recipient of the Best Researcher Award. His contributions to transportation geotechnics and geotechnical earthquake engineering have advanced both the scientific community and practical applications in Türkiye’s national highway systems. Through innovation, leadership, and collaboration, he continues to make a lasting impact on the field of civil engineering.

Prof. Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas , Universidad San Francisco de Quito , Ecuador.

Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas 🇪🇨 is a civil and structural engineering expert with deep roots in academia and industry. Currently a professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito 🎓, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine 🇺🇸, where he also served as a teaching assistant. His work blends theory and practice, focusing on performance-based earthquake engineering 🌍⚙️. With experience spanning construction inspection, design, and education, Dr. Torres Rodas has contributed significantly through research publications and teaching 📚. His dedication to seismic safety and structural reliability positions him as a leader in engineering resilience 🏗️🔬.

Publication Profile

Scopus
Google Scholar

Education & Experience 

🎓 Education:
👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience:

  • 📐 Geometry TA – Universidad de Cuenca (2005–2007)

  • 🧱 Lecturer: Concrete & Statistics – Universidad de Cuenca (2013)

  • 🌍 Earthquake Eng. TA – UC Irvine (2016)

  • 🏗️ Steel Design TA – UC Irvine (2017)

  • 🌲 Timber Design TA – UC Irvine (2018)

  • 🎓 Structural Engineering Lecturer – USFQ (2018–present)

👷‍♂️ Professional Experience:

  • 🛠️ Civil Construction Inspector – Coca-Codo-Sinclair Dam

  • 🧱 Construction Supervisor – Municipio de Nabón

  • 🚧 Infrastructure Projects – Cuenca, Ecuador

  • 🏢 Structural Design – Various buildings in Cuenca

Summary Suitability

Dr. Pablo Torres Rodas is a leading candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his exceptional contributions to the field of structural and earthquake engineering. As a professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Dr. Torres Rodas has consistently demonstrated research excellence, academic leadership, and impactful innovation. His work focuses on the development of analytical and numerical models that advance Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) — a critical area for building resilience in seismic-prone regions.

Professional Development 

Dr. Torres Rodas is committed to ongoing professional growth through teaching, research, and real-world structural engineering 🌐🏗️. At Universidad San Francisco de Quito, he educates future engineers while advancing analytical and numerical modeling in seismic performance studies 📊📘. His international academic journey, from Ecuador to the U.S., reflects a dedication to excellence and cross-cultural collaboration 🌎🤝. His published research in leading ASCE journals 📄🧠 contributes to safer, more resilient structures. He actively bridges theoretical knowledge with applied engineering, emphasizing innovative methods in structural analysis and design under seismic loading conditions 🌋📐.

Research Focus 

Dr. Torres Rodas’s research lies in Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE), a field that seeks to enhance structural safety and resilience during seismic events 🌍🏢. His work centers on developing both analytical and numerical models to simulate how structures respond to earthquake-induced forces 📉💥. By exploring column base connection behaviors and embedded connection stiffness, he contributes critical knowledge to structural engineering design standards 📚⚙️. His insights help engineers design buildings that can better withstand tremors, minimizing damage and saving lives. His goal is to merge academic rigor with real-world safety innovation 🔬🏗️.

Awards and Honors

  • 🎓 SENESCYT Scholarship – Awarded by the Ecuadorian government for doctoral studies abroad (2013–2017)

  • 🏅 Best Lecturer Award – College of Science and Engineering, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (2019–2020)

Publication Top Notes

  • Torres-Rodas, P., Fayaz, J., Medalla, M. (2024). Statistical evaluation of steel moment frames response under crustal and subduction seismic environments. Journal of Building Engineering.

  • Torres-Rodas, P., Flores, F., Pozo, S., Astudillo, B.X. (2021). Seismic performance of steel moment frames considering the effects of column-base hysteretic behavior and gravity framing system. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 144, 106654.

  • Hassan, A.S., Torres-Rodas, P., Giulietti, L., Kanvinde, A. (2021). Strength characterization of exposed column base plates subjected to axial force and biaxial bending. Engineering Structures, 237, 112165.

  • Torres-Rodas, P., Fayaz, J., Zareian, F. (2020). Strength resistance factors for seismic design of exposed base plate connections in special steel moment resisting frames. Earthquake Spectra, 36(2), 537–553.

  • Villacreses, J.P., Granados, J., Caicedo, B., Torres-Rodas, P., Yépez, F. (2021). Seismic and hydromechanical performance of rammed earth walls under changing environmental conditions. Construction and Building Materials, 300, 124331.

Conclusion

Dr. Torres Rodas exemplifies the qualities of a best-in-class researcher: innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and societal impact. His groundbreaking work enhances the global understanding of seismic design, making infrastructure safer and more resilient. With a strong publication record, international engagement, and ongoing contributions to engineering science, he is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award.