Ali Akbarpour | Construction Materials | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Ali Akbarpour, University of Oklahoma, United States.

Ali Akbarpour 🎓 is a Ph.D. student in Structural Engineering at the University of Oklahoma 🏛️, passionate about bridge rehabilitation, construction materials, and structural design 🏗️. With international experience across Iran and the U.S., he has worked on cutting-edge research involving CFRP, GFRP, and polymer concrete. His expertise includes experimental testing, slip-lining, and machine learning applications in geotechnics 🤖. As a dedicated mentor, instructor, and researcher, Ali also plays a vital role in student engagement and education 🌍. He is actively contributing to the academic community through peer-reviewed publications and service as a journal reviewer 📚.

Publication Profiles

Scopus

Orcid

Google Scholar

Education & Experience

🎓 Education:

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – Structures (Expected Dec 2025) – University of Oklahoma, USA 🇺🇸
M.Sc. in Civil Engineering – Geotechnics (Feb 2018) – Imam Khomeini International University, Iran 🇮🇷
B.Sc. in Civil Engineering – Shahid Beheshti University, Iran 🏛️

💼 Experience:

Research & Teaching Assistant, University of Oklahoma (2022–Present) 👨‍🔬
Civil Engineer, PIANC International Cooperation Commission (2021–2022) 🌍
Civil Engineer, Civil Engineering Firm, Tehran (2012–2015) 🏗️
Intern, Wastewater Treatment Plant 💧
Soil Nailing & Underpass Stabilization Projects 🧱
Teaching Assistant, Soil Mechanics & Concrete Technology, IKIU (2016–2017) 📏

Suitability for the Award

Mr. Ali Akbarpour, a distinguished Ph.D. candidate in Structural Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, is an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With a dynamic portfolio of research in structural design, material innovation, and sustainable engineering practices, he has emerged as a promising leader in civil and structural engineering. His research record, academic excellence, mentorship experience, and recognized scholarly impact make him a standout contender for this prestigious recognition.

Professional Development

Ali Akbarpour continuously enhances his professional development through teaching, mentorship, and interdisciplinary research 🔍. As a Teaching Assistant and mentor at the University of Oklahoma 👨‍🏫, he has guided students in lab-based experiments and supported graduate and undergraduate research efforts. He also participated in NSF’s RET program, mentoring high school STEM teachers 👩‍🔬👨‍🔬. Through his role in the Iranian Student Association 🇮🇷, he has organized events to strengthen academic and cultural networks. Actively reviewing for top journals 📑, he stays engaged with emerging trends and technologies in structural and materials engineering, expanding his academic and professional horizons 🌐.

Research Focus

Ali Akbarpour’s research centers on structural rehabilitation and innovative construction materials 🏗️🧪. He investigates the flexural and shear enhancement of reinforced concrete (RC) beams using CFRP and evaluates GFRP pipes for slip-lining corroded steel pipelines with various grouts 🧱. His work on polymer concrete reinforced with carbon nanotubes contributes to advancements in material performance 💡. Additionally, he applies machine learning models such as ANN and GMDH 🤖 to predict soil-water retention behavior, bridging geotechnical and structural disciplines. His holistic research approach aims to improve infrastructure resilience and durability in aging and critical facilities 🏛️🌉.

Awards & Honors

🏆 Best Reviewer Award (2023) – Materials and Structures journal
🎓 Alumni & Foundation Recruitment Fellowship (2022–2023) – University of Oklahoma (Top Ph.D. student across engineering)
📚 Active Reviewer for 9 international journals including ASCE & Elsevier
🌍 Top 0.21% Civil Engineers Worldwide – Based on citation impact (OpenAlex database)
🥇 Most Cited Paper (Last 12 Months) – Journal of Composite Materials

Publication Top Noted

📘 Mechanical behavior and permeability of plastic concrete containing natural zeolite under triaxial and uniaxial compression – 83 citations, 2022
🌍 Effects of natural zeolite and sulfate environment on mechanical properties and permeability of cement–bentonite cutoff wall – 79 citations, 2023
🔬 Effects of natural zeolite and sulfate ions on the mechanical properties and microstructure of plastic concrete – 71 citations, 2022
🤖 Prediction of stress-dependent Soil Water Retention using machine learning – 24 citations, 2024
🧱 An Experimental study incorporating carbon fiber composite bars and wraps for concrete performance and failure insight – 17 citations, 2024

Prof Dr. Nazar Oukaili | Structural Concrete Award | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Nazar Oukaili ,University of Baghdad , Iraq

📚🏛️ Prof. Dr. Nazar K. Ali Oukaili was born on 28 July 1961 and is fluent in Arabic, English, and Russian. With a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering (1991) focused on the strength of partial prestressed concrete, and an M.Sc. in Structural Engineering (1988) on optimizing hollow core prestressed concrete panels, Dr. Oukaili has a rich academic career. He has held positions as a lecturer in Moscow, assistant professor and head of the Civil Engineering Department in Sebha, Libya, and professor at the University of Baghdad. Since 2011, he has been a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Baghdad.

Profile :

Google Scholar

Academic Credentials 🎓

Ph.D. in Structural Engineering (1991)

Dissertation: “Strength of Partial Prestressed Concrete being Bended Elements with Mixed Reinforcement by Highly Strength Strands and Bar Reinforcement”

M.Sc. in Structural Engineering (1988)

Dissertation: “Strength and Optimization of Hollow Core Partially Prestressed Concrete Panels”

Academic Experience 👨‍🏫

Lecturer, Department of Reinforced Concrete Construction, Moscow Civil Engineering University, Moscow, Russia

September 1st, 1991 – October 1st, 1993

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Sebha, Libya

December 4th, 1993 – October 10th, 2000

Head of Civil Engineering Department, Assistant Professor, University of Sebha, Libya

September 1st, 1998 – January 15th, 2000

Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Sebha, Libya

October 10th, 2000 – August 31st, 2001

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Baghdad, Iraq

September 23rd, 2002 – March 28th, 2011

Head of Civil Engineering Department, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Baghdad, Iraq

November 13th, 2011 – March 19th, 2014

Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Baghdad, Iraq

March 28th, 2011 – Present