University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Colorado Boulder
More

Emerging Technologies BIM Research Group

Emerging Technologies BIM Research GroupEmerging Technologies BIM Research GroupEmerging Technologies BIM Research Group

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.

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. 

Experiences and Opportunities

Virtual Research Meeting

    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. 

    Link to CV

    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.

    Link to Resume

    RONALD DUREN, PhD

    LUISA GUILHERME, MSc

    LUISA 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.

    LINK TO RESUME

    LUISA GUILHERME, MSc

    LUISA GUILHERME, MSc

    LUISA GUILHERME, MSc

    Luisa 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

    Luisa 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.

    LINK TO RESUME

    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. 


    Resume

    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. 


    RESUME

    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.  


    Resume

    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.

    Resume

    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.

    Resume 

    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.

    Resume

    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.  

    Resume

    JEFF WILSON, BS

    MICHAEL BEAUREGARD, PhD

    MICHAEL BEAUREGARD, PhD

    BS Construction Management  

    Research Focus:

    Development of new technologies to advance the field of construction. 

    Resume

    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.

    Current Opportunities For Students

    Research Opportunities

    Applications to work with the Emerging Technologies BIM Group at CU are received on a rolling basis. If you are interested in joining the group as a student, please email Dr. Steven Ayer (steven.ayer@colorado.edu) with: a resume; and a technical writing sample of your work. If you are interested in other forms of collaboration, please contact Dr. Ayer through the above email.

    SHAREABLE RESEARCH OUTPUTS

    AR Playhouse Simulator: Deploy Guide for HoloLens Application (pdf)

    Download

    AR Playhouse Simulator: Subject Testing Protocol for AR Design and Build Activity (pdf)

    Download

    AR Playhouse Simulator: Radar Plot Generator (AR Playhouse Eval) (xlsx)

    Download

    AR Playhouse Simulator: HRC Instrument (docx)

    Download

    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

    Apple Podcasts

    Spotify

    Google Podcasts

    Contact The Group

    steven.ayer@colorado.edu


     If you are interested in joining the group as a student, please email Dr. Steven Ayer (steven.ayer@colorado.edu) with: a resume; and a technical writing sample of your work. If you are interested in other forms of collaboration, please contact Dr. Ayer through the above email.  

    Emerging Technologies BIM Research Group

    Sponsoring organizations

    Participating organizations

    Emerging Technologies BIM Research Group

    Copyright © 2025 Emerging Technologies BIM Research Group - All Rights Reserved.