[26-27 March 2025] I just returned from the German Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2025 in Berlin and I am full of new ideas, insights and inspiration.
This was a powerful reminder that disasters do not wait and that preparedness is a shared responsibility. From expert discussions on climate-related displacement to community-based early warning systems and AI-powered risk assessment tools, the message was clear: we need to think globally but act locally and inclusively.
[12.02.2025] we had the incredible opportunity to visit Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary, thanks to a technical visit organized by Eszter Sos and Széll Kálmán College. It was fascinating to see cutting-edge technology and strict safety measures working together in such a critical infrastructure. Witnessing first-hand the advanced systems, security protocols, and future expansion plans made for a truly eye-opening experience.
Great catching up with my colleague Alon Sidel in Geneva from UNDRR. We had an insightful discussion about disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Always great to exchange ideas and learn from each other.
😊 I am delighted to share that I have been selected as the International Student of the Year at Széchenyi István Egyetem on 18 January 2025. This recognition has made my PhD journey incredible and unforgettable.
🙏 I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Széchenyi István University for this prestigious honor, to the Tempus Public Foundation for enabling me to pursue my PhD in
Hungary, and to the wonderfully supportive local and international community that has encouraged and kind me throughout this journey.
🌱🌍 This achievement is a product of the inclusive and welcoming environment at Széchenyi István University, a collaborative and nurturing institution that provides countless opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.
🤝 🙏 My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of this incredible and unforgettable journey.
I am happy to share that our collaborative research with my students, Samuel Alexandro Silitonga (MSc) and Jingjie Zhang (BSc), has been published recently.
– "Sustainable Waste Management Strategies for Earthquake Debris: Lessons from the 2008 Sichuan, China, and 2023 Türkiye-Syria Disasters" in International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420924009154?via%3Dihub
– "Seismic Performance and Sustainability of Reinforced Concrete Buildings: A comprehensive Assessment" in Chemical Engineering Transactions https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/CET24114131
My student, Abdulrahman Bazbouz, wins first place at the Scientific and Artistic Students' Association Conference held on 26 November 2024.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/abdulrahman-bazbouz-034534218_im-happy-to-share-that-i-was-awarded-first-ugcPost-7269060109371129858-DBxR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Successful Collaboration at the Conference on Sustainability (COS) – 6-9 November 2024
I had the privilege of assisting Petar Varbanov and Péter Németh in coordinating manuscript submissions and the publication process for the Conference on Sustainability (COS) at Széchenyi István University. This enriching experience allowed me to co-convene insightful sessions with Petar Varbanov and János Szép.Additionally, my students, Samuel Alexandro Silitonga and Marie Gisele SIBOMASIMBI, present our joint research at this conference.
Publication of Journal Paper 05/08/2024:
Aydin Demir, Selim Günay, Marko Marinković, Abdullah Dilsiz, Nurullah Bektaş, Zeyad Khalil, Mehmet Emin Arslan, Ahmet Can Altunisik, Naci Caglar, Khalid Mosalam, Halil Sezen, 2022 Düzce, Turkey Earthquake: Advances in the Past Two Decades, Lessons Learned, and Future Projections, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 2024-08-05. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-024-01984-z
Publication of Report 31/07/2024:
I have the opportunity to contribute to the preparation of the post-earthquake virtual reconnaissance report for the Hualien City, Taiwan Earthquake under StEER. To read the report, please visit the following link: https://lnkd.in/gDqHg7rw
Publication of Journal Paper 29/07/2024:
Nurullah Bektaş, Orsolya Kegyes-Brassai, Developing a Machine Learning-Based Rapid Visual Screening Method for Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings on a Case Study Data from the 2015 Gorkha, Nepal Earthquake, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 2024-07-29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-024-01924-x
Publication of Book 21/07/2024:
Nurullah Bektaş, R. Salunke, N. Coleman, P. Gholamalipour, S. Khoshkalam, R. Gautam, R. Nelson, J. Ramirez, B. Edge, A. Bobet, J. Browning, D. Zuo. (2024) "2024 NHERI GSC Mini-Conference Proceedings." DesignSafe-CI. https://doi.org/10.17603/ds2-tk6h-rv44
I have had my PhD home (preliminary) defence on 15th of July 2024
Hajdú Gábor, Nurullah Bektaş, Andreas Müller, Machine learning models for the elastic-critical buckling moment of corrugated web beam, Results in Engineering, vol. 23, 102371, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.102371
We, as graduate students in NHERI GSC from all around the world, successfully organized the 2024 NHERI GSC Mini-Conference on May 31st! 🌍 It has been a challenging yet amazing experience leading the organization of this conference with an enthusiastic and dedicated organizing committee NHERI GSC members:
Myself, Nurullah Bektas, NHERI GSC Chair of Research
Natalie Coleman, NHERI GSC Treasurer
Rakesh Salunke, NHERI GSC Former Chair of Research
Payam Gholamalipour, NHERI GSC Member
Rajendra Gautam, NHERI GSC Chair of Workshops and Mentoring
Soolmaz Khoshkalam, NHERI GSC Vice Chair of Research
As Chair of Research at the NHERI GSC, I had the opportunity to discuss research opportunities in a recent podcast with NHERI DesignSafe-CI Media. In the conversation, I shared insights on my experiences as Chair of Research at the NHERI GSC and a GraduateStudent. We discussed the upcoming virtual 2024 NHERI GSC Mini-Conference, scheduled for May 31, 2024, which is fully organized by GraduateStudents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlnnrM1MP8I&ab_channel=NHERIDesignSafe-CIMedia
15–16 May 2024: Participated Disasters Expo Europe in Frankfurt Germany. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nurullah-bekta%C5%9F-7313839a_disastersexpoeurope-networking-disastermanagement-activity-7197323983338266625-4mcK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
24 April 2024: I am happy to announce that my students and I have participated in the Scientific and Artistic Students' Association Conference at Széchenyi István University. And, I had the privilege of being the Seismic Design session organizer at the conference. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nurullah-bekta%C5%9F-7313839a_sze-studentresearch-seismicdesign-activity-7189173400412557313-bVyC?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Nurullah Bektaş, Orsolya Kegyes-Brassai, Developing a Machine Learning-Based Rapid Visual Screening Method for Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings on a Case Study Data from the 2015 Gorkha, Nepal Earthquake, (Accepted in Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering)
Benjamin Labar, Nurullah Bektaş, Orsolya Kegyes-Brassai, Enhancing Seismic Performance: A Comprehensive Study on Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Structures Considering Soil Properties and Environmental Impact Assessment, Advances in Civil Engineering, vol. 2024, Article ID 4505901, 20 pages, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/4505901
Nurullah Bektaş, Maysam Shmlls, Earthquake-Induced Waste Repurposing: A Sustainable Solution for Post-Earthquake Debris Management in Urban Construction, Buildings 2024, 14(4), 948; https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/4/948
I, as the Chair of Research in NHERI GSC, serve as the 2024 NHERI GSC Mini-Conference Organizing Committee Member
April 2024: EGU24 Conference
April 2024: ICEFORUM2024 Conference
Benjamin Labar, Nurullah Bektaş, Orsolya Kegyes-Brassai, Enhancing Seismic Performance: A Comprehensive Study on Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Structures Considering Soil Properties and Environmental Impact Assessment, (Submitted)
25 February 2024: Latest research paper from my #phdresearch! It focuses on developing a #NeuralNetworks-based #RapidVisualScreening method for assessing existing buildings' vulnerability to earthquakes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141029624001688#sec0080