Dr. Paal is an Associate Professor at Texas A&M University and holder of the Williams Brother Construction Company Career Development Professorship. She started her position at Texas A&M in Fall of 2016. Her research experience and interests are in the general field of structural engineering with an emphasis on data-driven science and the development of novel methods in computer vision and machine learning for applications in natural hazards risk assessment and next-generation modeling approaches. Her educational training has been multidisciplinary with interactions in architectural engineering, structural engineering, construction engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. Her diverse background provides her with the breadth and depth to successfully advance research efforts in core areas of Civil & Environmental Engineering, while easily expanding into emerging cross-disciplinary areas that address broad challenges in energy, climate change and its impact on aging infrastructure, and multi-hazard risk assessment. 

Research Interests

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning

• Structural and community response and resiliency to natural disasters

• Data-driven science

• Performance-based engineering

• Infrastructure inspection and structural/safety assessment

• Reinforced concrete structures

• Automation and optimization of CE practices