Team

Dr. Hexu Liu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Western Michigan University (WMU) and leads the Digital & Smart Construction (DiSC) Lab. His research advances AI-enabled systems for construction and infrastructure, integrating BIM, digital twins, and data-driven methods to enable predictive, automated, and intelligent lifecycle management of the built environment.

His work focuses on construction automation, industrialized construction, digital twin–enabled infrastructure systems, and infrastructure decision analytics, with applications in AI-driven design, predictive infrastructure management, and cost intelligence across building and transportation systems.

Dr. Liu has published extensively in leading journals such as Automation in Construction, Advanced Engineering Informatics, and ASCE journals (JCEM, JCCE), and has contributed to premier venues including ASCE CRC, ISARC, TRB, and CONVR. His research is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and state transportation agencies.

He serves as Assistant Specialty Editor for ASCE’s Journal of Construction Engineering and Management and Associate Editor for Frontiers in Built Environment. He is an active reviewer for NSF, Canadian NSERC, and major journals in construction and computing, and has received Outstanding Reviewer Awards from leading journals including Automation in Construction and ASCE JCEM.

Zaid Alwashah (Research Assistant)

Zaid Alwashah is a PhD student in the Construction Engineering program at Western Michigan University. He earned both his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering in 2019 and his master's degree in Engineering Project Management in 2022 from the University of Jordan. Before pursuing his PhD, Zaid gained valuable experience working on various construction projects in Jordan. His research focuses on emerging technologies in the construction industry, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Reality, Digital Twin in Construction, and Modular Construction.

Amr Altalhoni (Research Assistant)

Amr AlTalhoni is a Ph.D. student in Civil and Construction Engineering at Western Michigan University, where he also earned his M.Sc. degree in 2023. His research focuses on construction cost index forecasting, supply chain disruptions, and the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced statistical modeling techniques to improve infrastructure project planning and cost management. He has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications on forecasting models, supply chain resilience, and data-driven approaches to construction management. His academic interests also include project delivery systems, risk management, and the application of digital technologies in construction.

Nuzhat Moin (Research Assistant)

Nuzhat Moin is a master’s student in Civil and Construction Engineering program at Western Michigan University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2023 from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Before beginning her graduate studies, she worked as a Junior Business Development Engineer at ACE Consultants Ltd., a subsidiary of SMEC International Pty. Ltd. Her research focuses on roadside safety, with an emphasis on data-driven enforcement strategies, digital alert technologies, and crash data analytics to reduce roadside crash risks.

Benwin George (Research Assistant)

Benwin George is a master’s student in Computer Science at Western Michigan University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology in 2022 and has over three years of professional experience as a software engineer, working on AI/ML systems, full-stack applications, and blockchain-based decentralized applications. His research interests focus on artificial intelligence driven systems, machine learning applications, and intelligent software tools for real-world problem solving. Benwin has worked on projects involving retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), large language models, computer vision, and automation pipelines. He is particularly interested in applying AI and emerging technologies to build scalable, data-driven solutions across interdisciplinary domains.

Hosam Olimat (Teaching Assistant)

Hosam Olimat is a Ph.D. candidate in Civil Engineering at Western Michigan University, working under Dr. Hexu Liu and Dr. Osama Abudayyeh. His research focuses on advancing construction safety, offsite (modular) construction, and data-driven performance evaluation. Hosam’s work bridges engineering, data science, and management to improve how safety and efficiency are measured in construction projects. Over the past four years, he has served as the Teaching Assistant of Dr. Liu's courses, supporting students in learning estimating principles, cost management techniques, and the use of digital tools such as RSMeans, Revit, and Navisworks. Hosam is committed to advancing safety and innovation in construction while helping future engineers develop the skills for a smarter, safer industry.

Dr. Shengxian Tang (Spring 2025)

Shengxian Tang was a PhD student of Construction Engineering at the Western Michigan University. Shengxian joined the DSC lab in Fall 2019, after receiving a master degree in Highway and Railway Engineering from Central South University, China. He has a strong background in road and railway engineering and construction management. His research interests include Building Information Modeling, Human-centered Augmented/Virtual Reality, Robotics, and Bridge Inspection. He is currently working on applications of Augmented/Virtual Reality in construction engineering.

Dr. Obaidullah Hakimi (Summer 2024)

Obaidullah Hakimi was a Ph.D. student (Co-supervised by Dr. Liu and Dr. Abudayyeh) in Construction Engineering at Western Michigan University, starting in the Spring of 2022. As a Fulbright Scholar, he earned his master’s degree from WMU, with majors in Construction Engineering and Structural Design in 2018. He also earned his undergraduate degree from Nangarhar University, Afghanistan, in 2013. In addition, He received an Exchange Student Scholarship through the EU-NICE-Erasmus Mundus Program to Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. His research interests include Digital Twin, Smart Facility Management, BIM, Real-time Virtual-physical Data Integration, and Intelligent Predictive Maintenance. 

Dr. Hakimi works as a Commercial Project Manager at AVB.

Dr. Manea S. Almatared (Summer 2024)

Dr. Manea works as a Lecturer in the civil engineering department at Najran University 

Manea S. Almatared started his PhD study in Construction Engineering at Western Michigan University in the Fall of 2019. Before this, he worked as a lecturer in the civil engineering department at Najran University for one year. Manea received his bachelor’s degree in Najran and master’s degree from Western Michigan University. His research interests include Artificial Intelligence (AI) in construction, BIM, Process Simulation, and BIM-enabled cyber-physical systems.

Dr. Mohamed A. M.  Binalhaj (Fall 2022)

Dr. Mohammed is a Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at Sebha University.

Mohamed joined the lab as a PhD student of Construction Engineering in Fall 2018. Mohamed obtained his Master's degree at Western Michigan University, with his master's thesis focusing on evaluating IoT sensors for construction safety. In addition, Mohamed has a Bachelor of Engineering in  Civil Engineering from the University of Sebha. Mohamed's research interests include BIM, GIS, and Sensor technology for construction and facility management applications.

Dr. Mohammed Sulaiman (Spring 2022)

Currently, Mohammed works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Al-Baha University. 

Mohammed Sulaiman was a Ph.D. Student in the Civil and Construction Engineering Department at Western Michigan University (Fall 2018-Spring 2022). Mohammed graduated from Umm Al-Qura University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2012. Shortly after graduating, he worked with Dar Alhandsa as a Consultant Engineer in the Expansion Project of Al-Masjid Al-Haram for two years. In 2014, Mohammed moved to Al-Baha University to work as a Teaching Assistant in the Civil Engineering department. After that, Mohammed joined WMU and earned his Master's degree in Civil Engineering in 2016. His research interests include Off-site Construction, Robotics, and BIM.

Ms. Anam Hussain Mirza (Spring 2024)

Anam was a thesis-based Master student in Construction Engineering at Western Michigan University. Anam’s research interests include AI, data analytics, and bridge design and management. She worked on the construction cost analysis for Michigan highway construction projects. 

Anam works as a Civil Engineer at MDOT.

Owen Su (Summer 2024)

Owen is a sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in Computer Engineering. He is currently interning as a Cost Analysis Intern for highway construction projects, where he applies his skills in machine learning and Python programming to enhance cost analysis processes. His role involves evaluating the financial aspects of construction projects and contributing to cost estimation.