Researchers in the Full-Scale Geotechnics Group

Current PhD Students

Besrat Alemu; Research Topic: Seismic Response of Silts

Current Master's Students

Dylan Heffern; Research Topic: Role of Sand Content in Monotonic and Cyclic Responses of Transitional Silts

Past Post-Doctoral Researchers, Research Associates, and Visiting Scholars

Amalesh Jana, PhD; Currently Assistant Professor, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT; Topic: “Evaluation of Load Transfer in Driven Piles with Application to Dragloads,” and "Liquefaction Evaluation of Gravelly Soils."

Ali Khosravi, PhD; Currently Assistant Professor, Auburn University, Auburn, AL; Topic: “Bridge Column Footing Performance and Seismic Retrofit Evaluation Considering Soil-Structure Interaction.”

Taeho Bong, PhD; Currently Assistant Professor, Chungbuk National University, South Korea; Topic: “Quantification and Effect of Spatial Variability on Liquefaction Characteristics of Soils,”

Graduated Doctoral Students

Hao Wang, PhD; "Liquefaction Mitigation Using Timber Pile-Improved Ground," December 2023, Co-advised with Prof. Ari Sinha
Ali Dadashi, PhD; "Laboratory Investigation of the Cyclic Response of Transitional Soils: Bridging Element-Scale and In-Situ Responses," August 2022, Co-advised with Prof. T. Matthew Evans
Amalesh Jana, PhD; "Use of Controlled Blasting to Quantify the Dynamic, In-Situ, Nonlinear Inelastic Response of Soils," June 2021
Xiaozhi Zhou, PhD; Experimental and Theoretical Study on Dynamic Characteristics of Saturated Calcareous Sand under Standing Wave-induced Stress Paths," June 2021, Co-advised with Prof. Yumin Chen and Hanlong Liu, Hohai University
Jon Huffman, PhD; "Reliability-based Serviceability Limit State Design Procedures for Shallow Foundations," December 2020
Wenwen Li, PhD; "Seismic Response of X-Shaped Piles in Lateral Spreading Ground," June 2019, Co-advised with Prof. Yumin Chen, Hohai University
Qiang Li, PhD, "Investigation of Drilled Shafts under Axial, Lateral, and Torsional Loading," December 2017
Andrew Strahler, PhD; "An Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Tall Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls," June 2016
Seth C. Reddy, PhD; "Ultimate and Serviceability Limit State Reliability-based Axial Capacity of Deep Foundations," March 2014
Tadesse Meskele, PhD; ""Engineering Analysis and Design of Pipe Ramming Installations," March 2013

Graduated MS Students

Logan McGinn; "Full-Scale Experimental Investigation of the Seismic Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Column-Footing Specimens Retrofitted with Titanium Alloy Bars Considering Effects of Soil-Structure Interaction on Vintage and Retrofitted Column-Footing Specimens," June 2023, Co-advised with Prof. Chris Higgins
Susan Ortiz; "Region-Specific Investigation of the Cone Penetration Test for Preliminary Classification and Estimation of Preconsolidation Stress, Undrained Shear Strength, and Cyclic Resistance of Transitional Silts," June 2022
Eve Lathrop; "Regional and Site-Specific Vulnerabilities of the Western Power Grid from a M9.3 Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake," September 2021, Co-advised with Prof. Michael J. Olsen
John Cary; "An Investigation into the Role of Spatial Variability on Liquefaction Consequence Severity," September 2021
Victoria Dutille; "GOSEP: Georeferenced Oregon Soil Engineering Properties," September 2020, Co-advised with Prof. T. Matthew Evans
Tovey Brown; "Evaluation and Modification of a Thixotropic Fluid Model for Liquefaction Triggering with Application to Laboratory Tests and Lateral Spreading," June 2020, Co-advised with Prof. Ben A. Leshchinsky
Aleyna Donaldson; "Characterization of the Small-Strain Stiffness of Soils at an In-situ Liquefaction Test Site," May 2019, Co-advised with Prof. T. Matthew Evans
John Martin; "A Full-Scale Experimental Investigation of the Bearing Performance of Aggregate Pier-Supported Shallow Foundations," April 2018
Marissa Rauthause; "Frictional Response of Some Sand-Timber Pile Interfaces," December 2017
Youssef Bougataya; "Static and Wave Equation Analyses and Development of Region-specific Resistance Factors for Driven Piles," June 2016
Tygh Gianella; "Ground Improvement and Liquefaction Mitigation using Driven Timber Piles," June 2015
Chris Newton; "Response of Uncem. and Cemented Aggregates used w/ Aggregate Pier Ground Improvement," March 2014
Travis Kraupa; "Static and Cyclic Response of Ecoroof Soil," December 2013, Co-advised with Prof. Ben Mason
Nasim Adami; "Development of an Augered Cast-in-place Pile-Specific Load-Displacement Model," December 2013
James Walters; "Charact. of Reinf. Fill Soil, Soil-Reinf. Interaction, and Internal Stability of Very Tall MSE Walls," August 2013
Jesi Young; "Uplift Capacity and Displacement of Helical Anchors in Cohesive Soil," June 2012
Andrew Strahler; "Bearing Capacity and Immediate Settlement of Shallow Foundations on Clay," March 2012

Graduated MEng Students

Xiaohan Wan, June 2022
Tyson Fennern, June 2018
David Bailey, June 2016
Chris Landau, June 2015
Stefan Stys, March 2013
Greg Thibeaux, March 2013
Jordan Melby, December 2013
Camille Wilson, December 2012
Thomas Keatts, December 2011
Mark Delcambre, June 2011
Jim Aydelott, December 2010
Megan Higgins, December 2010
Wasim Nohad, December 2010
Logan Allender, June 2010
Matthew Mason, June 2010
Kevin Severson, June 2010

Current and Past Undergraduate Research Students

Ian Bottenberg, Spring 2024 - present, Honors Program
Andrew Cisna, Spring 2023 - present
Rachael Gromen, "Engineering for Bouncing Back" NSF REU Student, Summer 2019
Erick Moreno Rangel, SURF Research Assistant, Summer 2018 - Spring 2020
Nick Kolstad, SURF Research Assistant, Summer 2017
Eric North, Spring 2016
Jakob Walter, Fall 2015 - Spring 2016, Honors Program
Xiaomin "Jacky" Chen, Fall 2014 - Spring 2016
Christina Knierim, Fall 2012 - Fall 2014, Honors Program
Trevor Bineham, Spring 2013
Kyle Fortner, Fall 2012
Robert Leaf, Fall 2012 - Fall 2013
Stephan Stys, Summer 2012
James Walters, Summer 2011 - Spring 2012
Collin McCormick, Spring 2012
Lee Bissinger, Summer 2010
Mitch Madsen, Spring 2010 - Summer 2010