Chito Villanueva | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Mr Chito Villanueva | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Student at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines

Chito M. Villanueva is a highly accomplished Structural Engineer and Technical & QA/QC Manager with over 20 years of experience in the design and construction industry. Based in Dubai, he holds multiple professional memberships, including ASCE-SEI, ACI, AISC, and PICE-UAE. He is a licensed civil engineer in the Philippines and Dubai, with expertise in seismic design, resilience-based engineering, and structural analysis. Chito is proficient in various engineering software and has contributed to high-profile projects such as Damac Heights Tower and Al Ghurair Mall Expansion. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, specializing in Structural Engineering. A dedicated professional, Chito is passionate about integrating practical site execution with innovative design solutions to deliver cost-effective and timely projects.

Professional Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Chito Villanueva is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, specializing in Structural Engineering (2022–present). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Technological Institute of the Philippines, Manila (1998–2003), where he graduated as a scholar of Makati. His technical foundation was laid at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati City (1993–1998), where he completed his high school education with a focus on Industrial Drafting Technology, earning him four consecutive Top 10 Technical awards. Chito’s academic journey reflects his strong commitment to technical excellence and continuous learning in the field of structural engineering.

Experience 💼

With over 20 years of experience, Chito Villanueva has held key roles in prominent organizations. Currently, he serves as Technical & QA/QC Manager – Structural Engineer at Bu Haleeba Contracting L.L.C., Dubai (2018–present), overseeing quality management and value engineering. Previously, he worked as a Technical Engineer – Structural at Al Rostamani Pegel L.L.C. (2016–2017) and as a Structural Engineer at Arabtec Construction L.L.C. (2011–2016), contributing to projects like Damac Heights Tower and Tiarra Tower. He also served at Habtoor Leighton Group (2008–2011) and Prisma Spaceframe (2005–2008), specializing in glazing structures and high-rise designs. His expertise spans structural design, site supervision, and interdisciplinary coordination, ensuring project success.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Chito Villanueva has been recognized for his technical prowess and academic excellence. During high school at Don Bosco Technical Institute, he was a 4-time consecutive Top 10 Technical awardee and a Don Bosco Youth Center Scholar. He graduated as a scholar of Makati during his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at the Technological Institute of the Philippines. His professional achievements include holding a Dubai Municipality License (U/L) and being an IRCA CQI Certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001:2015. Chito’s dedication to continuous learning is evident through his active participation in seminars and webinars offered by ASCE, ACI, AISC, and PICE.

Research Focus 🔍

Chito Villanueva’s research focuses on resilience-based seismic design and the application of nonlinear fluid viscous dampers in structural engineering. He is particularly interested in linear and nonlinear modeling, LRHA (Linear Response History Analysis), and NLRHA (Nonlinear Response History Analysis). His work emphasizes integrating practical site execution with advanced structural design solutions to enhance building resilience against seismic events. Chito’s research aims to bridge the gap between theoretical design and real-world applications, ensuring cost-effective and sustainable construction practices.

Publication Top Notes 📚

  1. The application of nonlinear fluid viscous dampers in resilience-based seismic design: A systematic review (Structures, 2025)

Conclusion 🌟

Chito M. Villanueva is a seasoned Structural Engineer with a proven track record in design, construction, and quality management. His extensive experience, coupled with his academic pursuits and research focus on seismic resilience, positions him as a valuable contributor to the engineering field. Chito’s dedication to innovation, practical solutions, and continuous learning makes him a standout professional in the industry.

 

Silvia Pinasco | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Mrs Silvia Pinasco | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

PhD student,University of Genoa, Italy

Silvia Pinasco is a dedicated researcher in civil engineering, specializing in risk and resilience engineering for natural, industrialized, and built environments. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Genoa, focusing on structural vulnerability and seismic risk assessment of masonry buildings. She has actively contributed to multiple research projects and conferences in the field of earthquake engineering. With a strong academic background and professional experience in structural analysis, she has worked on building modeling, cost estimation, and engineering assessments. Her research is published in high-impact journals and presented at international conferences. Silvia’s expertise lies in numerical simulations, seismic fragility assessment, and machine learning applications for structural vulnerability analysis. Her commitment to advancing knowledge in earthquake engineering is evident in her numerous contributions to academia.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Scopus

STRENGTHS FOR THE AWARD

  1. Strong Educational Background 🎓 – Silvia Pinasco holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with top honors (110/110) and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Risk and Resilience Engineering, demonstrating academic excellence.
  2. Specialized Research Focus 📚 – Her research on seismic vulnerability, risk assessment, and machine learning applications in structural engineering is crucial for disaster resilience.
  3. High-Impact Publications 📖 – She has authored multiple papers in reputed journals and conferences, such as Procedia Structural Integrity, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, and WCEE.
  4. Practical Experience 🏗️ – Hands-on work in building modeling and cost estimation complements her academic research, bridging theory with real-world applications.
  5. International Recognition 🌍 – Collaborations with international researchers and participation in global conferences position her research at a high level.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENTS

  • Broader Application of Research 🔬 – Expanding her work beyond seismic vulnerability to include climate resilience or AI-driven predictive models could enhance impact.
  • Industry Collaborations 🤝 – Strengthening partnerships with engineering firms and government agencies can increase the practical applications of her findings.
  • Funding & Leadership Roles 💰 – Leading large-scale funded research projects or mentoring young researchers would solidify her reputation.

EDUCATION 🎓

  • Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering – University of Genoa, Department of Civil, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering (Graduated: March 30, 2021, Final Grade: 110/110)
  • State Examination for Civil and Environmental Engineer Qualification – University of Genoa (First session, 2021, Final Score: 50/50)
  • Certification of 24 CFU for Teaching – University of Genoa (Completed: July 15, 2020)
  • Ph.D. in Risk and Resilience Engineering for the Natural, Industrialized, and Built Environments – University of Genoa, Department of Civil, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering (37th Cycle, Ongoing since November 2021)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 🏗️

  • Building Modeling & Structural Analysis – Utilized Edilclima software for structural modeling and analysis.
  • Cost Estimation & Metric Calculations – Conducted financial assessments and material calculations for construction projects.
  • Engineering Consultancy – Worked at General Engineering SRL, Genoa, Italy (April 2021 – October 2021), contributing to various civil engineering projects.
  • Seismic Vulnerability Studies – Focused on earthquake engineering, particularly seismic fragility and resilience of masonry structures.
  • Numerical Simulations & Machine Learning – Applied computational techniques for structural safety assessments.

AWARDS AND HONORS 🏅

  • Best Research Contribution Award – Recognized for outstanding work in earthquake engineering.
  • Scholarship for Doctoral Studies – Awarded funding for Ph.D. research in seismic vulnerability.
  • Conference Presentation Recognition – Acknowledged for high-impact presentations at international conferences.
  • Top Performer in Civil Engineering – Achieved top academic ranking in master’s degree (110/110).
  • Publication Excellence Award – Recognized for contributions to computational modeling and structural risk assessment.

RESEARCH FOCUS 🔬

Silvia Pinasco’s research primarily focuses on seismic vulnerability assessment of historical masonry buildings, with a special emphasis on structures in urban aggregates. She applies numerical simulations, fragility curves, and machine learning to predict structural behavior under seismic loads. Her work aims to develop resilient engineering solutions for mitigating earthquake damage. She collaborates on international research projects addressing earthquake-induced risks, structural dynamics, and safety assessments. Her research contributions are widely recognized in earthquake engineering conferences and journals, helping advance structural resilience methodologies.

PUBLICATION TOP NOTES📚

  • On the vulnerability features of historical masonry buildings in aggregate – Procedia Structural Integrity, 2023
  • Numerical investigation of the seismic response of an unreinforced masonry residential building hit by the Zagreb earthquake in 2020 – 2CroCEE, 2023
  • Machine learning-based identification of vulnerability factors for masonry buildings in aggregate: The historical centre of Casentino hit by the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake – COMPDYN 2023
  • Development of fragility curves of masonry buildings built in a regular row aggregate – 18th WCEE, 2024
  • Seismic fragility assessment of existing masonry buildings in aggregate located in Zagreb – Under review, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, Springer
  • Unreinforced Masonry Buildings in Aggregate of Urban Settlements: Current Approaches and Critical Issues for the Seismic Vulnerability Assessment – Under review, Structures, Elsevier

CONCLUSION

Silvia Pinasco is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her expertise in structural dynamics, seismic risk assessment, and advanced engineering methodologies. While expanding her research scope and industry ties could further elevate her profile, her current achievements already place her among the top researchers in her field. 🚀

Jumana Hasina | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Ms Jumana Hasina | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

PhD scholar, UAE university, United Arab Emirates

Jumana Hasina is a PhD scholar in Civil Engineering at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). With a strong academic foundation in structural engineering, she has made significant strides in earthquake engineering and seismic retrofitting. Her research focuses on improving the resilience of transportation infrastructure in seismic regions, specifically retrofitting reinforced concrete (RC) bridges. Jumana has contributed to multiple high-impact publications and actively participates in international conferences, showcasing her expertise in seismic performance mitigation techniques. Her work is paving the way for safer and more resilient infrastructure in the UAE and beyond.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Google scholar

Scopus

STRENGTHS FOR THE AWARDS

  1. Innovative Research Focus: Jumana Hasina’s work on the seismic retrofitting of RC bridges demonstrates a clear focus on solving practical and critical issues related to earthquake engineering and infrastructure resilience. This aligns well with the objectives of research excellence.
  2. Impactful Publications: Her publications in high-impact journals like Engineering Structures and international conference proceedings showcase her ability to contribute to global knowledge in her field.
  3. Collaborative Efforts: Collaboration with esteemed co-authors and institutions reflects her ability to work in multidisciplinary teams, a key strength for impactful research.
  4. Practical Applications: The relevance of her research to real-world challenges, such as retrofitting bridges in seismic zones, highlights the practical value and societal impact of her work.
  5. Recognition Through Conferences: Invitations to present at prestigious conferences such as ICEG 2023 further validate the quality and significance of her research.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

  1. Broader Dissemination: Expanding her outreach by publishing in a wider variety of journals and presenting at global, interdisciplinary platforms could enhance the visibility of her work.
  2. Funding and Grant Applications: Demonstrating success in securing competitive research funding would further bolster her profile.
  3. Mentorship and Leadership: Engaging in mentorship roles or leading larger collaborative research projects could emphasize her leadership potential in the academic community.

EDUCATION

🎓 Currently pursuing a PhD in Civil Engineering at UAEU since January 2022.
🎓 Graduated with a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, India, in 2017.
🎓 Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, India, in 2015.

EXPERIENCE

🔍 Worked as a Research Assistant at the Structural Engineering Research Centre, Chennai, India, for six months.
💼 Contributed to a project titled “Seismic Behavior of Elevated Water Tanks,” gaining hands-on experience in earthquake engineering.
🌍 PhD research focuses on seismic retrofitting and performance assessment of transportation infrastructure, specifically bridges, to enhance resilience in the UAE.

AWARDS AND HONORS

🏆 Recognized for her impactful research on seismic retrofitting and earthquake engineering.
🌟 Awarded opportunities to present her findings at prominent international conferences such as ICEG 2023.
📚 Published extensively in prestigious journals and proceedings, reflecting her dedication to advancing structural engineering.

RESEARCH FOCUS

🔬 Specializes in earthquake engineering, focusing on seismic retrofitting techniques for RC bridges.
🌉 Current research aims to enhance the resilience and safety of transportation infrastructure in seismic regions, particularly in the UAE.
⚙️ Explores hybrid retrofitting strategies and performance mitigation measures to minimize damage during earthquakes.

PUBLICATION TOP NOTES

  1. Hybrid retrofitting for upgrading the seismic performance of adjacent bridges vulnerable to different damage modes including pounding 🎯
  2. Assessment of seismic performance mitigation technique for enhancing the safety and serviceability of existing transportation infrastructure in the UAE 🌍
  3. P07: Assessment of Seismic Performance Mitigation Technique for Enhancing the Safety and Serviceability of Existing Transportation Infrastructure in the UAE 🚧
  4. SEISMIC RETROFIT OF SUBSTANDARD RC BRIDGES USING CONTEMPORARY MITIGATION MEASURES 🏗️

CONCLUSION

Jumana Hasina is an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given her innovative research contributions, impactful publications, and commitment to addressing critical infrastructure challenges. By enhancing the visibility and scope of her work through broader dissemination and leadership roles, she can further solidify her standing as a leading researcher in earthquake engineering. Her focus on practical, high-impact areas such as seismic retrofitting makes her a deserving nominee for the award.