Chi Epsilon, National Civil Engineering Honor Society, James M. Robbins Excellence-in-TeachingNational Award, 2003
Chi Epsilon, National Civil Engineering Honor Society, James M. Robbins Excellence-in-Teaching Award for theSouthwest District, 2003
University Merit Award, 海角社区, 2003
Selected Publications with Students*
Jasmin Kurt, T Thuy Minh Nguyen, Zachariah Payne, Paul Bernazzani, Xianchang Li and Mien Jao, “Improvement of Dredged Material using a Novel Bioenzyme and Portland Cement”, accepted for publication and presentation in GeoAsai7 & IGS First Young Engineers Conference, Oct. 31- Nov. 4, 2022
Saeed Rabbanifar, T. Thuy Minh Nguyen, Chun-Wei Yao, Qin Qian, Paul Bernazzani, and Mien Jao, “Adding Value to Dredged Material Using Lime and Ash Products” Proceedings, Recent Trends in Geotechnical Geo-Environmental Engineering and Education RTG2EE International Conference, Online, ISBN-13: 978-0-6489449-0-4, pp. 94-98, Brisbane, Australia, 10-11, September 2020
Thuy Minh Nguyen, Saeed Rabbanifar, Nicholas A. Brake, Qin Qian, Kyle Kibodeaux, Harold E. Crochet, Soheil Oruji, Remington Whitt, Joshua Farrow, Brandon Blaire, Paul Bernazzani, and Mien Jao, “Stabilization of Silty Clayey Dredged Material” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE, Vol 30, Issue 9, September 2018
Jao, F. Ahmed*, G. Sudani*, S. Gudavally*, T.T.M. Nguyen, and M. C. Wang, “Interaction between Strip Footings and Sheetpile Walls”, Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, Bundle 6, 2017
Gassan Sudani*, Nicholas Brake, andMien Jao, “Stability of Footings Adjacent to Pile Walls”, International Journal of Geomechanics, ASCE, Vol. 15, No.2, December, 2015
Nutan Palla*, Suresh Gudavalli*, Liang Chao,Jao, and M.C. Wang, “Numerical Analysis of Texas Cone Penetration Test”, International Journal of Applied Science and Technology, Vol.2, No.3, pp. 1-6, March 2012
Jao, F. Ahmed*, G. Muninarayana*, M. C. Wang, “Behavior of Eccentrically Loaded Footings on Slopes”, Journal of Geomechanics and Geoengineering, Vol. 3, No. 2, June 2008, pp. 107-111
Gudavalli*, N. Palla*, C. Vipulanadan, A. J. Puppala,M. Jao, X. Fang, S. Yin, and M.C. Wang, “Development of Correlation between TCP Blow Count and Undrained Shear Strength of Low Plasticity Clay”,Geotechnical and Geophysical Site Characterization, April 2008 Taylor & Francis Group, London, pp. 1401-1404
M. Jao, M. C. Wang, H. C. Chou*, and C. J. Lin, “Behavior of Interacting Parallel Strip Footings” Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 7, 2002
Selected Funded Research Projects
Co-PI: “Finding an Efficient Solution to Managing Dredge Waste in Ports and Waterways”, Center for Advances in Port Management (CAPM), 海角社区, 02/01/2021 -08/30/2021, $33,000, with Thuy Minh Nguyen, Zhe Luo, XianChang Li, Qin Qian and Paul Bernazzani
Co-PI:” Chemical Decontamination and Stabilization of Texas Dredge Materials”, Texas Hazardous Waste Research Center, 04/01/2020 – 06/30/2021, $16,250 with Thuy Minh Nguyen, Zhe Luo and Paul Bernazzani
Co-PI:” Modeling and Experimental Study on the Transport of Natural Gas in Southeast Texas Soil from the Underground Pipeline Leak”, Center for Midstream Management and Science, 海角社区, 06/01/2020 – 08/30/2021, $30,000 with Drs. Ping He and Clayton Jeffryes
Co-PI: “Evaluation and Remediation of Water Contaminants Originating from Dredge Waste“, CAWAQ Grant Program, 海角社区, 03/01/2016 – 05/30/2017, $25,000, PI: Dr. T. Thuy Minh Nguyen
PI: “Effect of Biomaterials on the Behavior of Expansive Soils”, funded by Lamar Research Enhancement Grant, 09/1/12-08/31/13, $5,000
Co-PI: “Evaluation of Superheavy Load Criteria for Bridges”, Texas Department of Transportation, 09/01/09-08/31/11, $181,189/$110,395, PI: Dr. Mark Bourland
Co-PI: “Pavement Repair Strategies for 2R and Routine Maintenance Project”, Texas Department of Transportation, 09/01/09-08/31/10, $135,000/$30,000, with Dr. Mark Bourland
PI: “Correlation of Texas Cone Penetrometer Test Values and Shear Strength of Texas Soils ”, Texas Department of Transportation, 09/01/04-08/30/06, $25,000/$175,000
PI: “Jefferson County Highway 87 Shore Protection - Clay Sediment Characterization”, funded by Jefferson County, Texas/ Pacific International Engineering, 02/15/03-08/15/03, Dr. V. Zaloom (PD), $10,000
Co-PI: “Design of Confined Placement Areas for Sabine-Neches Waterway Dredged Spoils ” funded by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, $53,631, Dr. V. Zaloom (PD), 9/1/02-8/31/03
PI: “Sabine-Neches Waterway Feasibility Study – Pipeline/Facilities Relocation and Removals” funded by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, $38,771, Dr. V. Zaloom (PD), 9/1/01-8/31/02
Professional Activities and Affiliations
Faculty Advisor for Engineers Without Borders (Fall 2015 to Summer 2022)
Faculty Advisor for Chi-Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honor Society (Fall 1999 to Fall 2011)
Graduate Advisor for students majoring in civil engineering (2003-present)
Guest Editor for a special issue "Advances in Engineering Soil Properties and Testing for Ground Stabilization/Improvement" of the Journal of Applied Science (IF: 2.838), (2022 - 2023)
Lamar’s Representative on the TSPE Executive Committee of the professional Engineers in Education (PEE) Practice of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE), (2010-2012)
Committee member of the Technical Advisory Panel in the area of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering for the Research Management Committee 5 (RMC-5) of the Texas Department of Transportation (1999 to present)
Licensed Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia