Abhay Chavan | Emerging Technologies | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Abhay Chavan | Emerging Technologies | Research Excellence Award

University of Oklahoma, United States

Abhay Chavan is a researcher and educator specializing in construction science, modular construction, sustainability, and digital technologies in the built environment. His academic and professional work integrates architecture, offsite construction, lean construction practices, and immersive technologies such as virtual reality for educational and industry applications. He has contributed to teaching construction management and architectural design courses while actively engaging in research related to workflow optimization, energy-efficient construction, and industrialized building systems. His publications, research grants, and scholarly presentations demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation in construction education and sustainable project delivery within the architecture and construction sectors.

Professional Profile 

Education

Abhay Chavan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Planning, Design, and Construction at the University of Oklahoma. His doctoral research focuses on modularity and offsite construction, with an emphasis on improving efficiency and innovation in industrialized construction systems. He also earned a Master of Building Construction from Auburn University, where his graduate work addressed infection control during hospital renovation projects. Earlier, he completed a Bachelor of Architecture from Shivaji University, developing a strong foundation in architectural design, sustainability, and built environment planning. His academic background reflects a multidisciplinary integration of architecture, construction management, sustainability, and emerging construction technologies.

Professional Experience

Abhay Chavan has built substantial academic and industry experience in construction science, architecture, sustainability consulting, and educational innovation. He has served as an Instructor of Record at the University of Oklahoma, teaching courses related to construction technology, construction documents, and design fundamentals. His teaching approach integrates digital tools such as Procore, Bluebeam, Revit, Autodesk Construction Cloud, and virtual learning systems to enhance practical learning outcomes. He also contributed as a Teaching Assistant in graduate research methodology, field surveying, and project controls courses. Prior to his academic roles in the United States, he worked as an Assistant Professor at Vishwakarma University, where he taught architectural design studios, sustainability, and architectural graphics while mentoring student research and innovation projects. In industry, he gained expertise in modular construction systems during his internship at Volumod Modular Solutions, contributing to LEED certification processes, production optimization, and waste reduction strategies. He also worked with dbHMS Consultants as an Energy Modeler and Project Manager, focusing on energy simulation, green building certifications, and sustainable design strategies for large-scale projects. His experience combines research-driven thinking with practical implementation in architecture and construction.

Research Interest

Abhay Chavan’s research interests are focused on modular and offsite construction, lean construction practices, sustainable building systems, immersive technologies in education, and digital transformation in the built environment. His doctoral research explores how modularity can improve productivity, efficiency, and scalability in offsite construction systems. He has also conducted significant research on the application of virtual reality in architecture and construction education, examining how immersive technologies can enhance learning, visualization, and student engagement. Additional research areas include value stream mapping, workflow optimization, energy-efficient construction, and sustainability-driven project delivery. His published work demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach that connects construction management, educational technology, sustainability, and industrialized building methods.

Awards and Honors

Abhay Chavan has received multiple academic scholarships, research grants, and professional recognitions for his contributions to construction science and educational innovation. He was awarded the Klay Kimker Student Enrichment Scholarship and the Zee & Madge May Vincent Scholarship at the University of Oklahoma in recognition of his academic and research achievements. He also secured First Place in the Gibbs College of Architecture Graduate Student Showcase for his research presentation. His research initiatives have been further supported through competitive travel grants and a Program for Research Enhancement Grant focused on integrating virtual reality into construction and design education. In addition, his professional qualifications include OSHA-30 certification and registration with the Council of Architecture in India, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and industry standards.

Publications Top Noted

  • General Contractor Knowledge of Infection Control Requirements on Hospital Renovation Construction Projects
    Authors:
    W. Collins, P. Holley, A. Chavan, A. Sattineni
    Year: 2020
  • An Interdisciplinary Pilot Study and Prototype Development for the Containment of Concrete Washout Waste
    Authors:
    P. Holley, E. Lynn, B. Bush, A. Chavan
    Year: 2019
  • Virtual Reality as a Supportive Tool for Design Education
    Authors:
    A. Chavan, S. Ghosh
    Year: 2024
  • Role of Modularity in Adoption of Offsite Construction
    Authors:
    A. Chavan, S. Ghosh
    Year: 2024
  • Optimizing Volumetric Offsite Construction Production Line by Utilization of Value Stream Mapping – A Case Study
    Authors:
    A. Chavan, S. Langar, S. Ghosh
    Year: 2025
  • Use of Virtual Reality in Construction Education – USA Educators’ Perspectives
    Authors:
    A. P. Chavan, S. Ghosh, T. McCuen
    Year: 2026
  • Use of Virtual Reality in Construction Higher Education in the US
    Authors:
    A. Chavan, S. Ghosh, T. McCuen
    Year: 2024

Shadi Shayan | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shadi Shayan | Emerging Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shadi Shayan | Adelaide University | Australia

Dr. Shadi Shayan’s research lies at the intersection of project management, smart technologies, and social sustainability, focusing on how large-scale urban innovation programs can effectively manage social risks and deliver equitable outcomes. His scholarly work explores the dynamic relationships between technological transformation, social response, and governance frameworks in smart city development. By integrating change management models with risk management processes, Dr. Shayan has developed innovative frameworks that address the socio-demographic dimensions of smart city transitions—bridging theory, practice, and policy. His doctoral research, “Integrating change models and risk management processes: A framework to manage social risks in smart city programs”, provides a comprehensive model for mitigating community resistance and fostering inclusive participation in technologically driven urban initiatives. Dr. Shayan’s publications in leading journals such as Smart Cities, Sustainable Cities and Society, and International Journal of Construction Management advance understanding of how social factors, demographic variables, and stakeholder perceptions influence the success of smart city and infrastructure projects. A consistent theme in his research is the application of systems thinking and socio-technical analysis to enhance decision-making in project and program management. He also examines the evolving roles of professionals, including engineers and quantity surveyors, in adapting to emerging technological and societal challenges. Dr. Shayan’s work has significant implications for both academia and industry. It informs policy frameworks for smart urban governance, supports organizational strategies for managing social risk, and contributes to sustainable and resilient infrastructure planning. Through interdisciplinary collaborations and active engagement with the Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand, he connects research with real-world impact—helping shape cities that are not only technologically advanced but also socially responsible and inclusive.

Profiles: Google Scholar | LinkedIn

Featured Publications 

Shayan, S., & Kim, K. P. (2025). Social responses and change management strategies in smart city transitions: A socio-demographic perspective. Smart Cities, 8(6), 188. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities8060188

Shayan, S., & Kim, K. P. (2023). Understanding correlations between social risks and sociodemographic factors in smart city development. Sustainable Cities and Society, 89, 104320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2022.104320

Shayan, S., & Kim, K. P. (2022). A conceptual framework to manage social risks for smart city development programs. In Resilient and responsible smart cities (pp. 77–86). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98423-6_6

Shayan, S., Kim, K. P., Ma, T., & Nguyen, T. H. D. (2020). The first two decades of smart city research from a risk perspective. Sustainability, 12(21), 9280. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219280

Shayan, S., & Kim, K. P., & Tam, V. (2019). Critical success factor analysis for effective risk management at the execution stage of a construction project. International Journal of Construction Management, 22(3), 379–386. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1624678

Saleem Ramadan | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saleem Ramadan | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saleem Ramadan | Al Hussein Technical University | Jordan

Dr. Saleem Z. Ramadan is an accomplished Data Analyst and Business Analyst with a strong interdisciplinary background in industrial engineering, systems optimization, and data science. With academic and consulting experience across the U.S. and Jordan, he has applied data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics, and optimization modeling to complex problems in healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. Dr. Ramadan holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Ohio University and has served as Acting Chair and Associate Professor at Al Hussein Technical University, leading research and teaching initiatives integrating machine learning and operations analytics. He has developed impactful analytics solutions—ranging from hydroponic resource optimization and radiology workflow improvement to financial risk dashboards—using tools such as Python, SQL, Power BI, Tableau, and Minitab. His consulting work with Healthcare Operations & Performance Excellence (HOPE) led to measurable improvements in hospital performance through Six Sigma and process control techniques. A Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) and Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate, Dr. Ramadan has authored 20 peer-reviewed publications, accumulating 236 citations from 230 documents with an h-index of 6. His recent works focus on machine learning–driven optimization, surgical scheduling prediction, and additive manufacturing parameter tuning. Dr. Ramadan’s combination of technical proficiency, academic leadership, and applied research impact uniquely positions him at the intersection of analytics innovation and business performance excellence.

Profiles:  Scopus | Google Scholar | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

Ramadan, S., Abushams, M., Al-Dahidi, S., & Odeh, I. (2025). A data-driven approach for predicting remaining intra-surgical time and enhancing operating room efficiency. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management.

Ramadan, S., Abushams, M., Al-Dahidi, S., & Odeh, I. (2024). Optimizing tensile strength and energy consumption for FDM through mixed-integer nonlinear multi-objective optimization and design of experiments. Heliyon.

Muhammad Arshad | AI Advancements | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Arshad | AI Advancements | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Muhammad Arshad | Yeez Consultants, Pakistan

Dr. Muhammad Zeshan Arshad is a distinguished data scientist and academic with a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, specializing in mathematical statistics and advanced probability distributions. His expertise lies in machine learning, time complexity analysis, and predictive modeling, with applications spanning public health, engineering, and environmental sciences. With peer-reviewed publications, numerous ongoing collaborative projects, and experience in both academic and applied research settings, Dr. Arshad contributes significantly to interdisciplinary data-driven solutions. He is currently serving as a Data Scientist at Yeez Consultants and has held teaching positions at several renowned institutions in Pakistan.