MAINS LAB
Contact info: Farahnaz.Soleimani@oregonstate.edu
Office phone: 541-737-7168
Dr. Farahnaz Soleimani
(Director)
Farahnaz is an Assistant Professor in the School of Civil & Construction Engineering at Oregon State University (OSU) where she is the Director of the Multi-hazard Assessment of Infrastructure and Structures Lab. She specializes in probabilistic modeling and seismic performance-based analysis of structures with a focus on developing computationally efficient tools using emerging machine-learning techniques. Her current research focuses on two primary areas of I) multi-hazard evaluation of structures, and II) resilience assessment of infrastructure systems.
She holds a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from Georgia Tech, where she worked on improving the seismic fragility models of existing bridges in California. Before joining OSU, she was a Research Scientist and before that a Postdoctoral scholar at Georgia Tech where she gained interdisciplinary research interests and experience in the areas of learning analytics and neuroscience.
Waqas earned his master's degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structures from the University of Delaware in Spring 2024. He has worked on various infrastructure projects in Pakistan, including hydropower, highways, buildings, and bridges. During his master’s program, he conducted research on the vulnerability analysis of bridges and roads subjected to hurricanes and sea level rise inundation. His research interests focus on the resilience of coastal bridges in response to natural hazards like hurricanes and tsunamis. Waqas is continuing his research by developing fragility models for bridges facing extreme hazard events, leveraging his past experience while striving to achieve new milestones in his research career.
Outside of work, Waqas enjoys walking, biking, bowling, and playing badminton. He is also eager to learn new skills such as archery and tennis.
Waqas Iqbal
(Ph.D. Student)
Mahan Samiadel
(Ph.D. Student)
Mahan obtained a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. Currently, he is dedicated to pursuing his Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Structural Engineering. His research focus lies in the predictive modeling of concrete and soil properties using novel computational techniques. Mahan's primary research interests encompass probabilistic and numerical modeling, structural reliability, risk and resilience analysis, as well as the applications of machine learning in structural and earthquake engineering.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Mahan enjoys watching movies, reading books, spending time with friends, and hiking.
Justin David
(MS Student)
Justin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Oregon State University in Spring 2025 and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at OSU. His research focuses on applying machine learning techniques to assess the seismic vulnerability of bridges, with an emphasis on neural network frameworks for developing predictive models of RC bridge column capacity. His engineering interests include probabilistic and numerical modeling, structural reliability, and sustainability.
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Outside of academics, Justin is an avid rock climber and enjoys climbing outdoors across the country.
Alumni
Jacob Atkins
(MS)
Jacob successfully completed his MS.c. in Structural Engineering in Spring 2024 with a Minor in Wood Science. He is currently working at IMEG as a Structural Designer, mainly on ground support and operations for the space industry. He is involved in the mass timber and AI task forces at his company. He achieved his Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in Civil Engineering and Forest Engineering from OSU in 2022 and seamlessly transitioned into his graduate studies. His academic pursuits have led him to become a valuable member of the lab, where his research endeavors revolved around harnessing the potential of machine learning to address structural engineering challenges, particularly in the context of predicting seismic resilience.
Jacob's diverse interests include carpentry, product design, graphic design, creative writing, biking, hiking, and cherishing quality time with his family.
Taylor Megy
(Undergraduate Research Assistant)
Born and raised in Salem, Oregon, Taylor is pursuing a career as a Structural Engineer in Training with D.H. Charles Engineering Inc., focusing on designing temporary structures such as scaffolding, shoring, and tunneling systems. As a postbaccalaureate student at Oregon State University, he researched the seismic behavior of Oregon bridges for risk assessment. Early construction experience sparked his passion for structural engineering and his appreciation for the effort behind successful projects. Taylor is eager to apply his skills to impactful engineering challenges and advance in his field.
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On his off-time Taylor enjoys hiking around the Willamette valley, lifting weights and playing guitar.
Daniel O'Brien
(MS)
Danny completed his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Seattle University in the spring of 2023. The following fall, he enrolled in the Master of Science in Civil Engineering program at OSU. During his time with the lab, his research focused on the application of machine learning techniques to evaluate the vulnerability of bridges when subjected to seismic events. Specifically, he investigated the application of transfer learning techniques to predict highway bridge damage probabilities in data scarce environments. Danny’s engineering interests revolve around resilience and sustainability. After graduating from OSU in the spring of 2025, Danny is now an engineering associate for WJE in Seattle, WA, where he works on a wide variety of civil and structural engineering projects, largely focused on work with existing structure.
Beyond his academic and research commitments, Danny enjoys listening to music, cooking, and hiking around the Pacific Northwest.
Sonia Zehsaz
Sonia was a Graduate Assistant in the MAINS Lab, where her research advanced the seismic vulnerability assessment of bridges. She combined machine learning (ML) with probabilistic seismic demand analysis to develop demand models and generate valuable insights into the effects of aging and deterioration in seismic regions.
She is currently a Highway Bridge Designer with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she applies her expertise in structural analysis and bridge design to support safe and sustainable transportation systems.
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Outside of work, Sonia enjoys hiking through scenic landscapes, where she finds balance, inspiration, and tranquility in nature.