Jun 25, 2026 - Welcome to FIU, Vailet!
I am delighted to welcome Vailet Magidanga to my research group as a new PhD student!
Starting a PhD is an exciting journey filled with opportunities to explore new ideas, challenge existing knowledge, and contribute meaningful research to the field. I am looking forward to supporting and learning alongside her as we embark on this new chapter.
Welcome to the team, Vailet! I am excited to see the discoveries, collaborations, and achievements ahead.
Wishing you a successful and inspiring PhD journey!
Apr 21, 2026 - Finishing the course Construction Cost Analysis and Control!
Mar 21, 2026 - Attending & Presenting at the 2026 CI-CRC in San Antonio, Texas!
Great opportunity to meet and re-connect with coleagues conducing amazing work!
I had the chance to present the work completed with
- Ronald Sherstha on "decision making framewok to use performance-based contracting in road maintenance"
- Dr. Ghada Gad, Chaimae Nacir, and Ronald Sherstha on "Intitutional approach to implement CM/GC, DB, and PDB in public agencies: Caltrans Case"
Mar 13, 2026 - Presenting at FIU Faculty Innovation Students Success Showcase (FISSS)
Happy to participate for the first time in this interesting event. Presenting my "In-Class Activities" and learning from the amazing work of FIU faculty!
If curious about what I presented, check the abstract and pdf poster below:
An Action–Reflection Model for Engaged Learning
Preparing construction management students for complex industry challenges requires integrating research, professional practice, and course content. This poster presents an Action–Reflection model implemented in BCN5626 Construction Cost Analysis and Control. In the Action phase, students review key concepts, engage with research and industry materials, and attend a guest speaker session while formulating analytical questions. Guided discussions promote synthesis and critical reasoning. In the Reflection phase, students submit a written reflection integrating course, research, peer, and practitioner insights. Preliminary observations indicate increased engagement, stronger theory-to-practice connections, and enhanced critical thinking.
[PDF]
Feb 17, 2026 - Hosting Robins & Morton in Cost Analysis and Control Course!
Wrapping up the first part of the course Construction Cost Analysis and Control (BCN 5626)!
We were fortunate to host Jeff Butler, Senior Preconstruction Manager at Robins & Morton, who shared valuable insights into the estimating process and effective cost management during the preconstruction phase.
Students came prepared with thoughtful questions, leading to an engaging and dynamic discussion. It was a truly enjoyable and enriching session—thank you, Jeff, for contributing your expertise and time!
Moss School of Construction, Florida International University - College of Engineering & Computing
Jan 24, 2026 - Looking for a Part-time Research Assistant–Only open to FIU students
@FIU Graduate students:
I am looking for a part-time research assistant that support me with literature review, content analysis and manuscripts preparation. More details about the research topic will be given to interested candidates.
Requirements
- Must be a student currently enrolled at FIU.
- Previous experience conducting literature review and/or participating in research manuscript preparation.
- Organized, willing to learn, committed, and proactive.
- Open to any major
- Work will be conducted between February and June 2026
- It is expected that the graduate student will work up to 10-15 hours a week (variable depending on the progress)
- Hourly rate between $15 and 20$ depending on previos experience and qualifications.
- Most updated CV/Resume, that highlights research experience
- Current GPA
- A brief statement indicating (1) why you want this position and (2) why I should hire you.
Jan 24, 2026 - Meeting future Ph.D. student!
Attending the hashtagTRBAM always feels as a new beginning: all the year ahead to start collaborations and projects leading to interesting findings to share at the next TRB!
✨ This year, I also welcomed Pritom Paul! who will be joining me at Florida International University - College of Engineering & Computing to pursue his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Engineering and Management. ✨
I can't wait to see all Pritom Paul's accomplishments and growh in his Ph.D. journey! 👏
Jan 24, 2026 - Happy to meet in person almost ALL the SB1 team
After more than one year working together but remotely, I really enjoyed meeting in person Ronald Shrestha, EIT, CMIT, and Ghada Gad (we missed you @Chaimae Nacir!).
Our poster session on insights about public and private perspectives on the implementation of alternative project delivery in local transportation agencies was full of interesting conversations!! hashtagTRBAM
✨ What will be our next project?? ✨
Jan 07, 2026 - New Ph.D.! Alejandro Vazquez
Happy to be part of Alejandro Vasquez's Ph.D. defense!!
Their research, entitled "Industrialized Construction in Conventional Firms: Technical and Organizational Reconfigurations in Decentralized Networks", addresses one of the main challenges of the construction industry: how to move towards industrialized construction in conventional companies, through technical and organizational reconfigurations that allow decentralized networks to be coordinated efficiently.
he defense was made today, January 7, 2026 and corresponded to a double degree Doctorate with the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), strengthening the international projection of the Doctoral Program in Engineering Sciences (civil area) of the Department of Engineering and Construction Management UC and Postgrados Escuela de Ingeniería UC.
Dec 09, 2025 - Wrapping-up the semester!
✨️✨️Closing out my first semester at Florida International University - College of Engineering & Computing!✨️✨️
Thank you Jason Dierker ,@Caryn Smith, @Antonio del Campo from Moss & Associates (Construction) for a great final guest lecture session bridging perfectly all the course' content with the real-world challengues and applications!!👏👏
hashtagRisks & hashtagdecisionmaking
Moss School of Construction 🏗
