Research Fellows Corner
Becoming a Research Fellow at 快活林性息 represents a remarkable achievement, earned through rigorous research and exemplary dedication to improving the lives of students, fellow faculty, and the community at large. This page serves as a dedication to our exceptional engineers and computer scientists recognized as Research Fellows by the College and the Office of the Provost. Here, we spotlight their impactful research and creative endeavors, showcasing their contributions within our esteemed academic community.
About Research Fellows
The Research Fellows Program honors faculty members who have made remarkable contributions, going above and beyond to enhance the College, the university, and our wider community. Being a Research Fellow reflects their dedication to shaping a better future. It serves as a catalyst, uniting talented researchers from various fields to address specific challenges together.
The effects of the Research Fellows Program extend throughout 快活林性息, intensifying our research efforts, highlighting a diverse range of research pursuits, fostering innovation, and guiding aspiring scholars toward success.
Current Research Fellow Nominee

Dr. Shawn Sun
Department: Civil Engineering and Construction Management
Topic:听Ultra-high Performance Concrete
Dr. Shawn Sun has made significant strides in advancing infrastructure and educational standards. His research focuses on enhancing infrastructure performance and exploring novel materials and structural systems. Incorporating cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing and artificial intelligence, Dr. Sun drives progress in construction methodologies and elevates structural efficiency. Notably, his commitment extends to mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students, providing them with hands-on experience crucial for prosperous careers.
Dr. Sun's dedication to research has garnered acclaim through diverse awards and grants, particularly for his work in developing high-performance concrete and pioneering bridge systems. Noteworthy funding from esteemed organizations like the Houston Foundation has generated impactful research projects and overall societal advancements in partnership with fellow professors within and outside of the college.
- Sun, C., Babarinde, O., Kuruppuarachchi, D., Linzell, D., Puckett, J. and Rageh, A., 鈥淓xperimental and Analytical Studies of Continuous Steel Stringer Lateral Torsional Buckling Resistance,鈥 Journal of Bridge Engineering, 2023
- Sun, C., Babarinde, O., Kuruppuarachchi, D., Linzell, D., Puckett, J. and Akintunde, E., 鈥淣oncomposite Concrete Deck Bracing Effects on Continuous Steel Stringers Lateral Torsional Buckling Resistance,鈥 Engineering Structures, Vol. 283, 2023, 115886.
- Sun, C., Linzell, D., Puckett, J. and Rageh, A., 鈥淓xperimental Evaluation of Lateral Torsional Buckling Resistance for Continuous Stringers,鈥 Engineering Journal, American Institute of Steel Construction, Vol. 60, 2023, pp. 1-19.
- Sun, C., Linzell, D., Puckett, J., Akintunde, E. and Rageh, A. 鈥淓xperimental Study of Continuous Beam Lateral Torsional Buckling Resistance with a Noncomposite Concrete Deck,鈥 Journal of Structural Engineering, 148(4), 2022, p.04022026.
- Rageh, A., Sun, C., Linzell, D., and Puckett, J., 鈥淒ataset for Large-scale, Lateral-torsional Buckling Tests of Continuous Beams in a Grillage System,鈥 Data In Brief, 2022, p.108532.
- Alawneh, M., Tadros, M.K., and Sun, C. "Optimized Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Horizontally Curved Bridge Superstructure", PCI Journal, 2022, pp. 51-72
- Sun, C., Farzana, N., Kuruppuarachchi, D. and Babarinde, O. 鈥淒evelopment of a Precast Prestressed Concrete Through-girder System for Shallow Bridge Structures,鈥 Journal of Structural Concrete, 22(3), 2021, pp.1574-1585.
- Azimi, M., Campos, U.A., Matthews, J.C., Lu, H., Tehrani, F.M., Sun, C. and Alam, S., 鈥淓xperimental and Numerical Study of Cyclic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Exterior Connections with Rectangular-Spiral Reinforcement,鈥 Journal of Structural Engineering, 146(3), 2020, p. 04019219.
- Sun, C., Tadros, M., Kopper, K. and Belill, T., 鈥淚nnovative Precast Concrete Adjacent-Box-Beam System Implemented in St. Clair Road Bridge,鈥 PCI Journal, 63(3), 2018, pp. 5-14
- Sun, C., Wang, N., Tadros, M., Girgis, A. and Jaber, F., 鈥淭hreaded Rod Continuity for Bridge Deck Weight,鈥 PCI Journal, 61(3), 2016, pp. 47-67
- Sun, C., Hennessey, S., Ahlman, M. and Tadros, M., 鈥淰alue Engineering Arbor Road Bridge Using Curved Precast Concrete Girders,鈥 PCI Journal, 52(2), 2007, pp. 1-13
- Jaber, F., Fallaha, S., Girgis, A., Tadros, M. and Sun, C., 鈥淣ebraska Precast Record: Sky-line Single Span Bridge Overpasses Single Point Interchange,鈥 PCI Journal, Vol. 51, No. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2006, pp. 48-55
- Sun, C. and Tadros, M., 鈥淒iscussion on Limits of Reinforcement in 2002 ACI Code: Transition, Flaws, and Solution,鈥 ACI Structural Journal, 102(1), 2005, pp. 170-172
- Hennessey, S., Butler, T., Lafferty, M. and Sun, C., "Value Engineering in Practice: A Look at the Clarks Viaduct in Nebraska,鈥 PCI Journal, Vol. 50, No. 5, Sept.-Oct. 2005, pp. 40-49
- Fallaha, S., Sun, C., Lafferty, M. and Tadros, M., 鈥淗igh Performance Precast Concrete NUDECK Panel System for Nebraska鈥檚 Skyline Bridge,鈥 PCI Journal, 49(5), 2004, pp. 2-12
- Ma, J., Tadros, M. and Sun, C., 鈥淧restressed Concrete Box Girders Made from Precast Unsymmetrical Sections,鈥 PCI Journal, Vol. 49, No. 1, Jan.-Feb. 2004, pp. 80-90
- Nopp., P., Tadros, M. and Sun, C., 鈥淎pplication of the Strength Design Method for Flexural Members at Prestress Transfer,鈥 PCI Journal, Vol. 48, No. 5, Sept.-Oct. 2003, pp. 62-74
- Girgis, A., Sun, C. and Tadros, M., 鈥淔lexural Strength of Continuous Bridge Girders鈥 Avoiding the Penalty in the AASHTO LRFD Specifications,鈥 PCI Journal, Vol. 47, No. 4, July-Aug. 2002, pp. 138-141.
听
- The Engineers鈥 Council Outstanding Engineering Achievement Merit Award听- 2023
- 快活林性息 Research Fellow Award - 2022
- Easton Faculty Fellowship in Engineering - 2022
- 快活林性息 2022 Summer Grant - 2022
- 快活林性息 2022 - 2023 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (RSCA) Award - 2022
- Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Best Retail Building Design Award for Retail Store at Aventura, Florida - 2022
- Louisiana Engineering Foundation Engineering Faculty Professionalism Award - 2021
- PCI Daniel P. Jenny Fellowship - 2020
- Louisiana Tech University College of Engineering and Science Best Show Award -听 2018
- Nebraska Society of Professional Engineers Engineer of the Year Award听- 2017
Previous Year Fellows
Dr. Jamie Booth
Department:听Mechanical Engineering
Topic:听Design of tough multi-scale lattice materials
Dr. Booth serves as the Principal Investigator at the Bioinspired Mechanics Lab, dedicated to unraveling the exceptional mechanical properties found in nature. His research focuses on identifying fundamental principles guiding the creation of innovative engineering materials. He specializes in modeling fracture within intricate systems to enhance toughness and adhesion. Dr. Booth's expertise has been recognized through esteemed roles such as Invited Visiting Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for New Materials in Saarbrucken, Germany, and Imperial College London in the UK.
Dr. Booth has chaired the Gordon Research Seminar on Science of Adhesion and played an integral role in organizing the Humboldt Foundation-sponsored Virtual Cluster on the Mechanics and Physics of Adhesion and Grip. Beyond research, he is passionate about developing engaging teaching strategies for the classroom, and seamlessly integrating research-oriented projects into his curriculum.