Welcome to SiRIUS Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln!
Smart Resilient Infrastructure and Urban Systems (SiRIUS) Lab's mission is to enhance the resilience, performance, and sustainability of civil infrastructure and urban systems. We aim to address challenges posed by natural hazards, climate change, and deterioration through innovative research, comprehensive education, and impactful outreach.
Research
At SiRIUS Lab, we investigate the interplay and connection between the multi-disciplinary data, algorithms, computational models, and emerging technologies to improve the performance, monitoring, and resilience of interconnected civil infrastructure and urban systems against deterioration, natural hazards, and climate change.
Our lab's research has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), and the Durham School Seed Grants.
Research Interests
Our research interests encompass the following interconnected areas:
- Multi-hazard risk, reliability and resilience of civil infrastructure and urban systems
- Structural sensing, data fusion, and health monitoring for cyberphysical systems
- Technological development, testing, design, and assessment of resilient structures
- Data science and machine learning applied to natural hazards research
- Bayesian filtering, identification, and control in structural and dynamical systems
- Structural dynamics and earthquake engineering
Research Opportunities
Seeking Motivated Students for Undergraduate and Graduate Research Opportunities
The SiRIUS lab is actively seeking motivated undergraduate and graduate students to join our team and explore exciting research opportunities. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, and we encourage students from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups to apply. If you are interested, please reach out to Dr. Milad Roohi (milad.roohi@unl.edu) with the subject line "Prospective Student – LAST NAME". In your email, briefly introduce yourself, highlighting your background and research interests. Please attach a single combined file containing your CV, unofficial transcripts, and a short statement describing your relevant research experience.
For graduate students, to learn more about the graduate program in Architectural Engineering (Structural), please visit the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction and our graduate programs websites.
We look forward to hearing from you and discussing the possibilities of working together.
Education
At SiRIUS Lab, we are committed to providing a high-quality educational experience that prepares students for the challenges of designing resilient and sustainable infrastructure. Our teaching philosophy is based on the following fundamental principles:
1. Engaging Students: Actively involving students in the learning process to enhance their understanding and retention of course material.
2. Critical and Analytical Thinking: Developing students’ abilities to think critically and analytically to solve complex engineering problems.
3. Inclusive Learning Environment: Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that supports diversity and fosters a sense of belonging for all students.
4. Constructive Assessments: Implementing assessments that provide valuable feedback and promote continuous learning and improvement.
Courses we offer include: Engineering Statics, Reliability of Structures and Infrastructure and Community Resilience.
Outreach and Community Engagement
The SiRIUS Lab is committed to engaging with the broader community to promote resilient and sustainable infrastructure practices. We actively participate in professional organizations and technical committees to influence standards and practices in the field.
Our director Dr. Milad Roohi serves as a voting member in the ASCE Structural Control and Health Monitoring, ASCE Objective Resilience and ASCE Dynamics technical committees and is a member of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering’s Task Group on Design Requirements for Infrastructure Resilience. Through these roles, we contribute to the development of guidelines and standards that enhance infrastructure resilience globally.
We also engage with local communities and stakeholders to translate our research findings into practical solutions that benefit society. Our outreach activities include:
• Hosting workshops and seminars to disseminate research findings and best practices.
• Collaborating with industry partners to implement innovative solutions in real-world projects.
• Participating in community resilience planning initiatives to support local and regional efforts to improve infrastructure resilience.
The SiRIUS Lab at UNL is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of resilient infrastructure engineering through research, education, and community engagement. We strive to make a lasting impact on the safety and sustainability of our built environment.
