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POST - DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
Cesar Mayorga, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Post-Doc | Civil Engineering - Auburn University
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Cesar Mayorga is a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in the Department of Civil Engineering at Auburn University. He received his Ph.D. from Auburn University in 2020, and his M.B.A. and Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Industrial University of Santander, Colombia in 2017 and 2014, respectively. Cesar’s research experience falls within the areas of risk management, data mining, alternative contracting methods, preconstruction and construction cost estimating, asset management and decision-making procedures. Prior to joining Auburn University, Cesar worked in Colombia as a Project Manager responsible for leading construction crews in several significant projects for the country.
GRADUATE RESEARCHERS
Jaime Schussler
Ph.D. | Civil Engineering - Auburn University
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Jaime is a graduate research assistant pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering focusing on evaluating construction stormwater management practices. Jaime received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from West Virginia University (2018) and MS from Iowa State University (2019). During her undergraduate degree, she participated in the Water and Environmental Management Program at UniLaSalle in Beauvais, France. This interdisciplinary program involved an intensive study of the EU Water Framework Directive and fieldwork throughout Northern France to analyze its implementation. Jaime’s experience abroad exposed her to the collaborative research process and inspired her to pursue a graduate degree. At WVU, Jaime was heavily involved in Alpha Omega Epsilon, a sorority for women in STEM fields. Jaime enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and running.
Jessica Taylor
Ph.D. | Construction Engineering - Iowa State University
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Jessica joined the team after graduating from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo with her B.S. in Environmental Engineering and minor in Science, Technology, and Society. Her academic interests are in water, sanitation, anthropology, and sociology. She is focused on examining the different forms and impacts of community participation within a project process, specifically within the context of indigenous communities. Her passion for understanding the intersectionality of engineering and society was fostered through her involvement in Cal Poly's Engineers Without Borders Student Chapter and work for the California State Water Quality Control Board. Her interests have also been shaped by her involvement with the UN Major Group for Children and Youth and her participation in the 2017 and 2018 UN Science, Technology, and Innovation Multistakeholder Forums. In her downtime, she can either be found traveling or curled up on the couch with her border collie.
Lan Liu
Ph.D. | Construction Engineering - Auburn University
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Lan is a graduate research assistant pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and is developing and assessing passive treatment methods for construction site sediment basins. She is originally from Beijing, China and received a joint bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering in 2016 from Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture and Auburn University. She also earned a master’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2018 from Auburn University. Her previous research conducted sample preparation, experimental design, and quantitative analysis with liquid chromatography techniques to analyze behavior and fate of endocrine disrupting chemicals in Alabama estuaries. Lan is interested in studying. In her free time, Lan enjoys singing in the church choir, volunteering, drawing, photography, yoga, and traveling.
Loulou Dickey
Ph.D. | Civil Engineering - Iowa State University
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Loulou is a graduate research assistant pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering. Her research is focused on characterizing the impact of groundwater flow and streambank geometry on slope stability within saturated buffers. Loulou holds an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University. During her undergrad experience she focused on studying the fate and transport of nutrients in agricultural landscapes. Additionally, her interest in spatial relationships inspired her to add a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She is passionate about improving Iowa’s waters and has worked on local campaigns to increase awareness about water quality. Her favorite pastimes are yoga, biking, cooking, and reading.
Andrea McEachran
M.S. | Civil Engineering - Iowa State University
Andrea is a graduate research assistant pursuing a Masters degree in Civil Engineering. Andrea graduated with an undergraduate degree in Biological Systems Engineering with an option in Bioenvironmental Engineering from Iowa State University. Her research is focused on developing a model of groundwater flow and nutrient transport through saturated buffers. She is primarily interested in water quality, flood control, water/wastewater treatment, and sustainability. She is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and plans to stay in the Midwest after graduating, with a goal of contributing to improving the water quality in her community and surrounding areas. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, hiking, camping, and watching football.
Patrick Bollinger
M.S. | Geotechnical Engineering - Michigan State University
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Patrick is a graduate research assistant pursuing an M.S. in Civil Engineering focused on soil stabilization and recycled materials. Pat and his wife are originally from the Mid-Atlantic but just moved from North Central Florida, where Pat obtained his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida in 2018. Prior to returning to school, Pat had a successful 20 year career as a contractor and project manager in the fields of roofing and photovoltaic installations. He is energized by cross-discipline research that combines his interests in geotechnical engineering, sustainable materials, and applications for use in construction. His ultimate goal is to teach civil engineering and construction coursework. In his spare time, Pat is fond of World Cup soccer, and enjoying the outdoors.
Billur Kazaz
Ph.D.| Construction Engineering - Auburn University
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Billur is a graduate research assistant pursuing a Ph.D. in Construction Engineering and Management. She earned her B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Istanbul Technical University, Turkey (2018) and her M.S. in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University (2019). Her academic interests consist of Erosion and Sediment Control, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Her career goal in the long term is becoming a professional by developing her knowledge at maximum level in the light of new technologies. She aims to contribute international construction industry by combining her research interest in a way that provides efficient and sustainable design. Outside of school and research, Billur is passionate about playing electric guitar, dancing tango & salsa, traveling, learning new cultures, swimming, and playing volleyball.
Christy Manning
M.S. | Civil Engineering - Auburn University
Christy Manning is a Graduate Research Assistant with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Auburn University and a B.A. in Music and Economics from Agnes Scott College. Her interest in Civil Engineering stemmed from her time as a Construction Site Supervisor with Habitat for Humanity. At Auburn she interned in marine construction, conducted catalysis research with the Chemical Engineering department, and assisted Auburn's C-Analysis class. She is both a North Carolina transplant and a second-generation Auburn Tiger. She enjoys powerlifting and spending time in the Alabama sunshine.
Collin Sharpe
M.S. | Civil Engineering - Auburn University
Collin is a graduate research assistant pursuing a M.S. in Civil Engineering. Collin received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Auburn University in 2020. At Auburn he interned in both the construction and transportation industries, and was a member of the Chi Epsilon Honor Society. His research is partnered with the Air Force Civil Engineering Center and focused on the possible detrimental effects of cool roofing. Collin is from Alexander City, Alabama and is a third-generation Auburn Tiger. In his free time, he enjoys spending time on Lake Martin, exercising, and pulling for the Tigers in any sport.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHERS
Elizabeth Turochy
B.S. | Civil Engineering
Elizabeth Turochy is an undergraduate research assistant at Auburn University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
ALUMNI
J. Blake Whitman, Ph.D., CPESC
Assistant Professor | Middle Tennessee State University
School of Concrete and Construction Management
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Post-doctoral fellow, 2019
Iowa State University
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Project: Hydraulic Performance Evaluation of Wattles used for Erosion and Sediment Control
Former Undergraduate Researchers
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Bella Guyll, BSME ISU 21' | 2017-19, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Civil Engineering | "Filtration of Neonicotinoids from Agricultural Runoff"
Hannah Schaffer, BSCE ISU 21' | 2017-19, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Civil Engineering | "Maintenance Needs of Permeable "
Tom Schebler, BSCE ISU 21' | 2018-19, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Civil Engineering | "Cost Analysis of Erosion and Sediment Controls"
Logan Angstead, BSConE ISU 19' | 2017-19, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Civil Engineering | "3D Printing Curriculum for Construction Engineers"
Annaka Ruther, BSCE ISU 19' | 2017-19, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Civil Engineering | "Settling Efficiency of Soil in Varying Water Temperature"
Joel Boulter, BSConE ISU 19' | 2018-19, Honors Research Program, Construction Engineering | "3D Printing Curriculum for Construction Engineers"
Abby Kigin, BSCE ISU 21' | 2018, Honors Research Program, Civil Engineering | "Performance of Pervious Pavement Systems"
Carter Bohle, BSCE 20' | 2017-18, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Civil Engineering | "Strength Performance of Silt Fence Reinforcement"
Chaitanya Dokala, M.S.
M.S. Construction Engineering, 2019
Iowa State University
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Thesis: Assessment of State Highway Agency Approval Requirements for Erosion and Sediment Control Products
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