Biography: 

Zhongkun “Frankie” Ouyang currently serves as an assistant professor of Ocean Geotechnical Engineering at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School. Dr. Ouyang’s research is focused on developing robust and sustainable ocean geotechnics solutions to improve the safety of the offshore infrastructure and cope with the engineering challenges brought by climate change. This includes developing intelligent geotechnical testing tools and novel sensor-based solutions using in-situ testing techniques ranging from piezocone pentrometers (CPTu), flat dilatometers (DMT) to other tools to aid engineers in the characterization of offshore geomaterials and design of eco-friendly offshore foundations. Frankie received his B.Eng in Civil Engineering from the University of Hong Kong in 2013, Master of Science and Ph.D. in Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2019. Besides his acute analytical skill in STEM, he also enjoys music and art. He plays guitar, piano and composes in his spare time. 

Education

• Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA 

        Ph.D., Civil Engineering (1/2015 - 05/2019) 

        Advisor: Paul. Mayne, Ph.D. P.E.

        Master of Science, Civil Engineering (8/2013 - 12/2014) 

        Advisor: Paul. Mayne, Ph.D. P.E.

• The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China 

        Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Engineering (9/2011-6-2013)

        Advisor: Albert T Yeung, Ph.D. P.E.

Academic Appointments and Professional Experience

• Assistant Professor of Ocean Engineering Aug. 2022- Now

Institute for Ocean Engineering

Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School

• Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Sep. 2021- Aug. 2022

Tagliatela College of Engineering

University of New Haven

• Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Aug. 2020- Aug. 2021

School of Engineering

University of Mount Union

• Instructor of Geotechnical Engineering  Sep. 2019 - Jun. 2020

      School of Civil and Construction Engineering

      Oregon State University

• Graduate Research Assistant: Jan. 2014 - May. 2019

       School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

       Georgia Institute of Technology

• Instructor:May. 2017 - Aug. 2017

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology

CEE 4405 - Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering 

• Graduate Teaching Assistant: Jan 2015 - May 2019

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology

CEE 6443 - Geotechnical Foundation System

CEE 6423 -  In-situ Testing 

CEE 4406 - Applied Geotechnics

Research Interests

• In-situ testing by CPTu and DMT

• Site characterization

• Geotechnical parameter identification

• Foundation systems

• Soil properties determination

Selected Honors and Awards

• George F. Sowers Distinguished Graduate Student Award from School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (5/2019)

• Bill Schutz Graduate Teaching Assistant Award from School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (12/2017)

• First Place at the Technology Venture Competition, issued by The Scheller College of Business and The College of Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology (12/2016)