Education & Experience

Academic Background & Career

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a 4.0 GPA, licensed Professional Engineer, and experience spanning academia, structural engineering consulting, and nuclear safety.

Education

Sep. 2019 – Jan. 2025

University of Vermont

Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering

Burlington, VT

GPA: 4.00 / 4.00

· Advisor: Dr. Eric M. Hernandez · Co-Advisor: Dr. David V. Rosowsky

· College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) Scholarship, 2019

Sep. 2013 – Sep. 2015

Sharif University of Technology

Master of Science, Structural Engineering

Tehran, Iran

Sep. 2009 – Sep. 2013

Sharif University of Technology

Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering

Tehran, Iran

Professional Experience

Dec. 2025 – Present

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Nebraska-Lincoln · Omaha, NE

●Project: Integrated Bridge, Transportation Network, and Community Resilience Framework for Nebraska

●Mentors: Dr. Milad Roohi & Dr. Christine E. Wittich

Apr. 2025 – Nov. 2025

Senior Engineer

Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. · Los Angeles, CA

●Developed detailed finite element models to support demolition sequence planning for industrial buildings and piping systems in a chemical plant

●Conducted root-cause analysis of structural system failure using advanced linear and nonlinear finite element modeling

●Performed thermal analysis in SAP2000 and ABAQUS to evaluate thermal cracking in a high-rise concrete structure

●Executed seismic analysis of tall buildings to support code-compliance evaluations and litigation investigations

●Participated in site visits to support providing expert opinion for insurance claims by evaluating fire damage to timber building structural systems

Aug. 2022 – Feb. 2025

Project Consultant

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) · Los Angeles, CA

●Performed nuclear facility seismic walkdowns (SQUG methodology) and seismic evaluations for power plant equipment

●Supported development of probabilistic and deterministic in-structure response spectra for nuclear applications

●Conducted structural analysis and forensic investigations for litigation and insurance claims

Licenses & Certifications

Oct. 2025

Professional Engineer, PE Civil: Structural

California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists

License Number: 98529

Apr. 2025

Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Evaluator

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

May 2024

SQUG Walkdown Screening and Seismic Evaluation

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc.

Achievements & Awards

Registration Fee Grant

13th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (13NCEE)

July 2026 · Portland, OR

Registration Fee Grant

NSF NHERI SimCenter at UC Berkeley

May 2026 · Berkeley, CA

Travel Grant Award

NSF NHERI RAPID 4-Day Workshop

July 2025 · Seattle, WA

Travel Grant Award

NSF NHERI Hybrid Simulation Workshop

June 2025 · Bethlehem, PA

Registration Grant Award

EERI Annual Meeting

April 2024 · Seattle, WA

Mini Grant Award

Travel and conference reimbursement, Graduate Student Senate (GSS), University of Vermont

2022

CEMS Scholarship

College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, University of Vermont

2019

Ranked 6th

Iran's Nationwide Ph.D. Entrance Exam in Structural Engineering (2,500+ qualified participants)

2015

Top 0.2%

Iran's Nationwide M.Sc. Entrance Exam in Civil Engineering (30,000+ participants)

2013

Top 0.1%

Iran's Nationwide University Entrance Exam (~300,000 participants)

2009

National Student Olympiad

Mathematics and Chemistry — National acceptance, Iran

2007 & 2008

NODET Acceptance

National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents, Iran

2005