Sean Qian

My name is Sean Z. Qian. Qian reads like [Chien], or if you insist trying its perfect pronunciation.

I am H. John Heinz III Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, jointly appointed at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Heinz College  at Carnegie Mellon University. I direct the Mobility Data Analytics (MAC). I also hold a Courtesy Professor appointment at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

My research interests lie in the integration and optimization of civil infrastructure systems. The primary focus is to manage an aging and overcrowded infrastructure and cyber-physical-social systems, and to build a sustainable and resilient infrastructure network. I have been developing optimization and statistical models of infrastructure system management by applying theories of AI, network flow and economics.

I am always open to working with highly motivated students who have strong quantitative background. Please send me an email if you are interested in the intersection of cyber, infrastructure and social systems, and you are enthusiastic about programming and mathematical modeling. Currently, I am looking for one Ph.D. student entering Fall 2025.

My research interests include:

• Dynamic network modeling (routing, simulation, and optimization)

• Intelligent transportation systems (ITS)

• Applications of ML/AI in infrastructure management

• Remote sensing

• Climate change adaptation

• Infrastructure resilience

• Urban systems interdependency

• Multi-modal transportation

• Parking management

• Transportation economics

• Traffic operations