Oct 06, 2026 - Connecting the Classroom with Industry: Project Delivery & Risk
A big thank you to Mike Weiss from WSP for joining our class as a guest speaker and sharing his expertise on project delivery methods and project risks!
Our students had the opportunity to connect concepts from the classroom with real-world experience and gain valuable insights into how different delivery methods influence project risk, responsibilities, and decision-making.
Thank you, Mike, for taking the time to engage with our students, share your experience, and bring the practice perspective into the classroom. We truly appreciate your contribution to their learning!
Oct 05, 2026 - Workplace priorities across career and motherhood stages in heavy civil engineering and Construction
We are excited to present our manuscript, Workplace Priorities Across Career and Motherhood Stages: Implications for Attracting and Retaining Women in Heavy Civil Engineering and Construction, at the 2027 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, in January.
Our research explores how attraction, retention, and barrier perceptions vary across career and motherhood stages to inform targeted strategies for he heavy civil engineering and construction sector.
This research is the result of a collaborative effort with Vailet Magidanga and Gustavo Garcia-Melero!!
Sep 15, 2026 - FIU Hybrid-Fall 2026 Cohort
I am thrilled to be part of the FIU Hybrid Cohort this Fall 2026!
This training is provided by FIU Center for the Advancement of Teaching and enables instructors to teach courses in a hybrid modality, which provides flexibility and (in my opinion) a more productive use of the time.
My first hybrid course will be in Spring 2026: BCN 5626 Construction Cost Analysis and Control
Aug 24, 2026 - Welcome to Fall 2026!
Starting a new academic year is always exciting!
This semester I will have a new cohort of students in my course BCN 6675 Decision and Risk Management in Construction! This course is not only about learning techiques to manage risks or methods to make more structured decisions. We also talk about subjectivity in our judgment, heuristics, and stakeholders perpectives when we are not certain about what will happen.
The course will also bring the perspective of professionals from engineering and construction firms that will link real practice with classroom content!
Jul 29, 2026 - Integrating AI into Qualitative Research Appropriately
Participating in the 23nd annual Qualitative Research Summer Intensive has been very insightful. On July 27-28, I attended a course delivered by Dr. Christina Silver, who provided very timely and relevant information about AI an research integrity, methodological implications, tools workflows, etc.
Research in Construction Engineering and Management, generally requires a qualitative or mixed-methods approach, so learning how large language models can be our allies in qualitative analysis without losing control of what we are doing is critical to make the most of the tools while keeping the rigor and soundness of our scientific contributions.
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
