Professional Profile

Prof. Walter Chen holds multiple academic degrees from prestigious institutions in Taiwan (ROC) and the United States: a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Taiwan University, an M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering from Purdue University, an M.S. in Computer and Information Science from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from Purdue University.

Before transitioning to academia, Prof. Chen gained extensive professional experience in both construction and software development. He contributed to the Taipei Metro project as part of the Joint Venture of TPE and RODIO and later worked in software development at re:Member Data Services in Indianapolis. He subsequently joined the National Taipei University of Technology, where he has made significant contributions as a researcher, educator, and innovator.

Since his academic appointment, Prof. Chen has undertaken numerous research projects, earned three patents, and published extensively in diverse fields. His research spans seismic pipeline analysis, soil bioengineering applications, slope stability optimization using particle swarm optimization (PSO), and soil erosion modeling using machine learning. Among his notable contributions are:

• Pioneering the integration of particle swarm optimization (PSO) into slope stability analysis.

• Identifying and correcting a pervasive error in soil erosion research involving the misuse of rainfall erosivity (R) equations based on the Modified Fournier Index (MFI). A thorough literature review uncovered 125 papers, published since 1989 in reputable journals, that used 28 incorrect R equation formulations. These studies, predominantly from Asia (China and India), have been collectively cited over 3,300 times, making this one of the most widespread and unnoticed errors in soil erosion studies for more than 33 years. 

• Revising the Sediment Delivery Distributed (SEDD) Model to develop and publish the Revised Sediment Delivery Distributed (RSEDD) Model.

• Utilizing machine learning techniques to predict soil erosion depth.

• Collaborating with over 60 internationally recognized experts in soil erosion to develop the Global Applications of Soil Erosion Modeling Tracker (GASEMT) database.

• Applying the slope unit method to soil erosion analysis for the first time.

• Conducting the first comprehensive computation and analysis of island-wide soil erosion rates in Taiwan.

• Employing the Unit Stream Power-based Erosion Deposition (USPED) model to study soil erosion and deposition in Taiwanese watersheds.

• Evaluating the impacts of climate change on global vegetation growth.

• Enhancing the assessment of the cover management factor through the application of the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE).

• Innovating the use of internet news-based data to assess rockfall hazards across Taiwan’s road systems.

Prof. Chen has also contributed to academic publishing as a guest co-editor for special issues of Ecological Engineering (2010), Remote Sensing (2020, 2022), Sustainability (2021), ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (2022), and Materials (2022). His dedication to teaching and mentorship has earned him numerous accolades, including the University’s Best Mentor Award (2012), the Outstanding Teacher Award (2016), and another Best Mentor Award (2016).

In addition to his academic career, Prof. Chen served as a visiting scholar at the University of Memphis and the University of Maine during the summers of 2001 and 2002, respectively.