Our Group
Who we are
We are a research group dedicated to studying new and emerging technologies that can enhance Building Information Modeling (BIM) efforts to improve building design, construction, and operation.
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Which technologies we study
We explore a variety of new technological tools that tie into Building Information Modeling processes, including: mobile computing systems, mixed (and augmented) reality, virtual reality, simulation games, wearable technologies, and other new and emerging technologies.
Why study emerging technologies
The building industry is rapidly evolving. Increasingly, companies are looking to leverage computer technology to improve design and construction processes. In a time when new computing technologies seem to be created every day, understanding how to use these tools appropriately to improve design and construction is critical. We aim to research these technologies to identify the types of tools and implementation approaches that offer the most benefit to the building industry.
Meet The Team
STEVEN K. AYER, PhD
Dr. Ayer oversees the Emerging Technologies BIM Research Group at the University of Colorado Boulder. He started working at the CU Boulder in August of 2023. Prior to joining CU, he worked at Arizona State University in the Del E. Webb School of Construction, and before joining ASU, he completed his education at The Pennsylvania State University in Architectural Engineering.
Ayer's research group explores new and emerging electronic technologies, including augmented reality, virtual reality, and other emerging tools. This research group has an array of different projects and technologies that it explores, but all studies revolve around the single motivation that technology should empower human users. Therefore, most of the studies conducted by Ayer’s team aim to focus on human performance rather than technological innovation. His team has explored the use of technology for: students gaining “cyberlearning” experiences related to construction management and engineering; architects aiming to improve the quality of their design concepts; construction managers interested in improving field communication of BIM content; and facility managers interested in better leveraging model information to deliver more maintainable built spaces. Ayer’s work has been funded by federal, state, and industrial sources, which has enabled his team to collect data that offers both scientific and practical contributions.
ANDREW KLINE, PhD
MEHRAN MAHMOUDI MOTAHAR, PhD
MEHRAN MAHMOUDI MOTAHAR, PhD
Andrew Kline is pursuing his PhD in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction. He has been teaching at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo since 2017 in the Construction Management department. He has a wide range of construction experience and had the opportunity to work on several innovative and complex projects in Southern
Andrew Kline is pursuing his PhD in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction. He has been teaching at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo since 2017 in the Construction Management department. He has a wide range of construction experience and had the opportunity to work on several innovative and complex projects in Southern California and was part of project teams that built over 1100 multi-family units. In research, his areas of focus include how building efficiency can be improved utilizing future technology as well as how utilizing AR/VR technology can improve project scheduling in the classroom and the jobsite.
MEHRAN MAHMOUDI MOTAHAR, PhD
MEHRAN MAHMOUDI MOTAHAR, PhD
MEHRAN MAHMOUDI MOTAHAR, PhD
Mehran Mahmoudi Motahar began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Bu-Ali Sina University. He then earned a Master’s degree in Construction and Project Management from the University of Tehran, where he focused on enhancing the implementation of circular economy in construction. Currently, he is
Mehran Mahmoudi Motahar began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Bu-Ali Sina University. He then earned a Master’s degree in Construction and Project Management from the University of Tehran, where he focused on enhancing the implementation of circular economy in construction. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Construction Engineering and Management at the University of Colorado Boulder, with research that explores how emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality—can improve safety by addressing unsafe behaviors in the construction industry.
RONALD DUREN, PhD
LUÍSA GUILHERME, MSc
LUÍSA GUILHERME, MSc
Ron Duren Jr. is a PhD student in Engineering Education at the University of Colorado Boulder and an Associate Professor in the Engineering Management Program. With a multifaceted background spanning engineering management, aviation, athletics, and leadership development, Ron brings a distinctive perspective to the intersection of human p
Ron Duren Jr. is a PhD student in Engineering Education at the University of Colorado Boulder and an Associate Professor in the Engineering Management Program. With a multifaceted background spanning engineering management, aviation, athletics, and leadership development, Ron brings a distinctive perspective to the intersection of human performance and technology. He is the founder of Forging Mettle, Inc., a leadership training company that integrates immersive learning, narrative-based coaching, and neuroadaptive tools to develop resilient, adaptable leaders. His current research explores how neurotechnology—such as EEG, HRV, and pupillometry—can be used to measure cognitive load and physiological arousal in immersive VR-based leadership simulations. Ron’s work aims to advance human-centered approaches to leadership development in an era increasingly shaped by AI and neurocapitalism.
LUÍSA GUILHERME, MSc
LUÍSA GUILHERME, MSc
LUÍSA GUILHERME, MSc
Luísa Guilherme is pursuing her MS in Construction Management in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at CU Boulder. She is currently researching the effectiveness of AR and VR-based assessments in construction safety training programs. Throughout her academic career, she has gained expertise in utilizing B
Luísa Guilherme is pursuing her MS in Construction Management in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at CU Boulder. She is currently researching the effectiveness of AR and VR-based assessments in construction safety training programs. Throughout her academic career, she has gained expertise in utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) for stability analysis of a Hydro Power Plant, as well as exploring BIM-Building Energy Simulation (BES) technologies to enhance energy efficiency and thermal performance. Beyond academia, she has professional experience in MEP design team and geotechnical engineering.
Our Alumni
KARAN PATIL, PhD
KARAN PATIL, PhD
KARAN PATIL, PhD
Karan Patil worked on his PhD in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction. His work leverages research from the domains of Psychology and Learning sciences to develop ecologically accurate virtual environments for construction specific hazard recognition training. Karan has been at the Del. E. Webb School of cons
Karan Patil worked on his PhD in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction. His work leverages research from the domains of Psychology and Learning sciences to develop ecologically accurate virtual environments for construction specific hazard recognition training. Karan has been at the Del. E. Webb School of construction since 2014 where he also received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Construction management. When not in the virtual worlds built with the research team, he can be found on the beautiful Arizona hiking trails.
SARA ELGAMAL, MS
KARAN PATIL, PhD
KARAN PATIL, PhD
Sara Elgamal completed her Master’s in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction at ASU. Her work leverages years of experience in the Construction Management & Technology industry from the domains of AI, ML, VR, and GIS. Her research focuses on assessing the influence of virtual reality in construction training
Sara Elgamal completed her Master’s in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction at ASU. Her work leverages years of experience in the Construction Management & Technology industry from the domains of AI, ML, VR, and GIS. Her research focuses on assessing the influence of virtual reality in construction training and education along with evaluating the potential of virtual reality environments to accurately replicate the experience in the physical on-site environments. Sara received her bachelor of science and a minor in Business Administration with high honors from the American University in Cairo in 2020.
RITA KASSIS, PhD
KARAN PATIL, PhD
RITA KASSIS, PhD
Rita completed her PhD in construction management in the Del E. Webb school of Construction. Rita has 8 years of experience in the industry both with construction companies and designs offices, which gave her the opportunity to be a graduate research assistant. Her research focuses on the behavior and perception of augmented reality comm
Rita completed her PhD in construction management in the Del E. Webb school of Construction. Rita has 8 years of experience in the industry both with construction companies and designs offices, which gave her the opportunity to be a graduate research assistant. Her research focuses on the behavior and perception of augmented reality communication in the construction industry. She received her bachelor’s in architecture in 2013 from Notre Dame University – Lebanon.
Resume
KIEREN MCCORD, PhD
ABDULLATIF SAID ABDALLAH, MS
KIEREN MCCORD, PhD
Kieren McCord (fm. Kieren Smith) completed her PhD in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction at ASU in 2022. Her research focused on the impact of augmented reality in construction education. She received her Bachelor of Music with minors in Physics and Mathematics from Brigham Young University in 2017. She rece
Kieren McCord (fm. Kieren Smith) completed her PhD in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction at ASU in 2022. Her research focused on the impact of augmented reality in construction education. She received her Bachelor of Music with minors in Physics and Mathematics from Brigham Young University in 2017. She received her Master of Science in Architectural Engineering in 2019 from the University of Nebraska--Lincoln.
YIZHOU XIAO
ABDULLATIF SAID ABDALLAH, MS
KIEREN MCCORD, PhD
Yizhou Xiao completed his bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering in the Del E. Webb School of Construction at ASU. His research focuses on the trend of the virtual reality technology used in assisting construction education and training. Yizhou was selected as the Spring 2022 Outstanding Graduate in his major.
ARCHANA HARIKRISHNAN, MS
ABDULLATIF SAID ABDALLAH, MS
ABDULLATIF SAID ABDALLAH, MS
MS Construction Management
Research focus: augmented reality for communication in the construction industry.
ABDULLATIF SAID ABDALLAH, MS
ABDULLATIF SAID ABDALLAH, MS
ABDULLATIF SAID ABDALLAH, MS
Research Focus:
The use of augmented reality to facilitate effective and efficient communication in the construction industry.
AYAZ PALEKAR, MS
RAHIMI A. RAHMAN, PhD
JAD CHALHOUB, PhD
B. Eng Civil Engineering Mumbai University
M.S. Construction Managment ASU
Research Focus:
Alternative information handover methods in construction to enable better facility management and innovative technologies in the electrical industry.
JAD CHALHOUB, PhD
RAHIMI A. RAHMAN, PhD
JAD CHALHOUB, PhD
BS Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering
PhD Construction Management
Research Focus:
Improving design communication and comprehension through marker-less based Mixed and Augmented Reality technologies.
RAHIMI A. RAHMAN, PhD
RAHIMI A. RAHMAN, PhD
RAHIMI A. RAHMAN, PhD
B.Eng Civil and Environmental Eng.
M.Eng Civil and Environmental Eng.
PhD Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
Research Focus:
The importance of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a skill for project managers to better understand how emerging technologies influence project managers in the construction industry.
APARNA PERIKAMANA, MS
RAHIMI A. RAHMAN, PhD
RAHIMI A. RAHMAN, PhD
BS Civil Engineering
MS Construction Management
Research Focus:
Assessed the impact of various process mapping activities in Building Information Modeling (BIM) education by developing a standalone document to evaluate BIM process maps which can be restructured to assess any business process map.
SULEIMAN ALSAFOURI, PhD
SULEIMAN ALSAFOURI, PhD
SULEIMAN ALSAFOURI, PhD
BS Civil Engineering
MS Construction Management
PhD Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
Research Focus:
Mobile Mixed Reality visualization interface and human behaviors factors in design and constructability review sessions.
NISHANTH KATHULA, MS
SULEIMAN ALSAFOURI, PhD
SULEIMAN ALSAFOURI, PhD
MS Construction Management
Research Interests:
Architecture, Construction, DesignBuild and Project Management.
IMAD A. KHALEK, MS
SULEIMAN ALSAFOURI, PhD
IMAD A. KHALEK, MS
BS Civil and Environmental Engineering MS Construction Management
Research Focus:
Impact of Mixed Reality technologies on designing for constructability.
JUSTIN HARTLESS, BS
SULEIMAN ALSAFOURI, PhD
IMAD A. KHALEK, MS
BS Construction Management (Sustainability Minor)
Research Focus:
Mixed Reality (MR) and its application within the construction industry.
JEFF WILSON, BS
MICHAEL BEAUREGARD, PhD
MICHAEL BEAUREGARD, PhD
BS Construction Management
Research Focus:
Development of new technologies to advance the field of construction.
MICHAEL BEAUREGARD, PhD
MICHAEL BEAUREGARD, PhD
MICHAEL BEAUREGARD, PhD
BA Architecture
ME Construction Management
MBA Supply Chain
PhD Construction Management
Research Interests:
Strategic sourcing, facility management, operations, and business development on regional, national and global initiatives.
Podcast (ProfeSserror)
Description
Professors Steven K. Ayer and Bryan Franz co-host this podcast aimed at providing honest experiences about challenges, failures, and possibly a few success stories related to life in academia.
Where to Listen
Sponsoring organizations
Participating organizations
