Prof. Dr. Mahdi Kioumarsi is a Professor in the Department of Built Environment at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet). As a leading expert in concrete materials and structures in Norway, he brings extensive experience in structural analysis, numerical modeling, and sustainable construction materials. He serves as the Head of Research and Development at the Structural Engineering Laboratory at OsloMet. He is also the leader of the SmartVED lab, which focuses on the smart monitoring and maintenance of infrastructures. Along with the Structural Engineering research group, Prof. Kioumarsi is also a member of the Construction Management, Sustainability, Innovation, and Digitalization research group at OsloMet. He has participated in and led several regional, national, and international research projects. OsloMet awarded him an individual fellowship at the Research Talent Development Program for 2020. Prof. Kioumarsi has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at well-respected conferences. He also serves as a reviewer and an editorial board member for several international scientific journals.
Prof. Dr. Behrouz Shafei is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University. He also holds a Professional Engineering license from California, where he finished his Ph.D. and Postdoctoral studies. His research investigations primarily address the issues associated with the performance of civil infrastructures under continuous deterioration processes and sudden extreme events. He also actively works on the development of innovative materials that deliver the requirements for resilience and sustainability during their service life. Prof. Shafei has completed multiple research projects sponsored by private and public sectors, including the U.S. National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and National Cooperative Highway Research Program. He has published the outcome of his research and educational activities in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. He serves as a research advisor for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars while contributing to various scientific and professional committees at both national and international levels.