Research Assistant Professor

Dr. KAI Mingfeng

Dr. Kai Mingfeng joined Prof Dai’s group from November 2020 as a Research fellow. Dr. Kai obtained his PhD in Civil Engineering from City University of Hong Kong, in August 2020. He later got appointed as Research Assistant Professor from July 2021. His research work is focused on molecular dynamics simulation of eco friendly and high performance materials comprising of cement and geopolymer composites. 

Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Riaz

Dr Ahmad obtained his Ph.D. from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), Shanghai, China in 2021. He completed his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Pakistan, in 2017 and 2013, respectively. From 2013 to 2017, Dr Ahmad served as a lecturer at MNS University of Engineering and Technology, Multan Pakistan. He joined PolyU as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in 2021 and worked in this capacity until 2023. During this period, he also served as a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo in 2022-2023. Dr Ahmad research interests are primarily focused on the development of geopolymer and cement binders-based artificial aggregates, bio-composites supplementary cementitious materials, and waste utilization. 

Dr. Yazan ALREFAEI

Dr. Yazan obtained hi PhD in Civil Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in 2021. He graduated with M.S. Degree (2016) and B.S. Degree (2013) from Kuwait University. Prior to joining PolyU as a Research Assistant Professor, he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at PolyU. Further, he worked as Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant in Kuwait University prior to joining PolyU. His research interests primarily revolve around chemically-activated binders, such as one-part alkali-activated materials and silico-aluminophosphate geopolymers. His target is to functionalize such binders in practical engineering applications. In addition, the utilization of recycled materials in construction is my target to promote sustainability and greener construction.

Dr. Hongyuan GUO

Dr Guo Hongyuan obtained his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Tongji University in 2015 and dual Ph.D. degrees from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2021 and Tongji University in 2022. Prior to joining PolyU as a Research Assistant Professor, Dr Guo worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at PolyU from 2022 to 2023. Dr Guo’s current research interests include the durability and time-dependent behavior behavior of engineering structures, experimental and numerical assessments of structural performance, AI-driven uncertainty estimation, and the development and application of Bayesian theories and algorithms in the field of engineering structures.

Post Doctoral Fellow

Dr. Peng ZHANG

Dr. Peng Zhang joined Prof. Dai’s group from September 2021 as a Research Associate. Later, he was appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow from December 2021.Dr. Zhang obtained his Ph.D. in Solid Mechanics from Dalian University of Technology, China, in December 2020. His PhD research focuses on developing accurate phase field models for progressive failure in composites at different length scales.

Dr. Wei-He LIU

Dr. Wei-He LIU joined Prof. Dai’s research group from September 2021 as a Research Associate. Dr. Liu obtained his PhD in Civil Engineering from City University of Hong Kong, in August 2021. His research is focused on the study of engineered cementitious composites, FRP-reinforced high-performance fiber reinforced cementitious composites and life cycle assessment of the FRP-reinforced sea water sea sand cementitious composites, using mechanical and mathematical models.

Dr. Qingdong XUAN

Dr. Qingdong XUAN joined Prof. Dai’s research group from January 2022 as a Post-Doctoral HK Scholar. Dr. Xuan obtained his Ph.D. from University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), China, in June 2020. His research interests include solar energy and advanced building envelopes. Currently, his research will particularly focus on radiative cooling and its practical applications.

Dr. IWAMA Keitai

Dr. Iwama Keitai joined Prof. Dai’s group from May 2022 as a postdoctoral fellow. Dr. Iwama obtained his PhD in Civil Engineering from Yokohama National University of Japan, in September 2020. He worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Yokohama National University for 1.5 years. His previous research focused on multi-scale structural concrete modelling at high temperatures. He has now developed the multi-scale platform for evaluating the long-term chemical and mechanical behavior of SCC-FRP structures.

Dr. LAN Jirong

Dr. Lan Jirong obtained his Doctor of engineering in resource and environment from Wuhan University, China in Dec 2022 (Outstanding graduate of the year). He joined Prof Dai’s group in Feb 2023 as Post-doctoral fellow. His PhD research work is based on biochemical and mechanochemical methods, low energy consumption, modification and preparation of tailings and biomass into high value-added environmental functional materials.

Dr. PENG Rongxin

Dr. Rongxin Peng joined Prof. Dai’s group from September 2023 as a Post-doctoral fellow. Dr. Peng obtained his Ph.D. in Bridge Engineering from Dalian University of Technology, China, in June 2023. His PhD research focuses on calculation method for performance degradation of cross-sea RC bridges in cold regions under freeze-thaw cycles.

Dr. ZHU Mingzheng

Dr. ZHU Mingzheng obtained his PhD in Civil Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, in June 2023. He joined Prof Dai’s group in July 2023 as Post-doctoral fellow. His PhD research work was on the development of multi-functional green engineered cementitious composites for reinforcement engineering.

Dr. JIN Zhipeng

Dr. Zhiepeng JIN joined Prof. Dai’s research group from August 2023 as a Post-doctoral fellow. Dr. Jin obtained his Ph.D. from Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU) in June 2023. His research interests include multi-functional coating and 3D Printing Ceramics. Currently, his research will particularly focus on radiative cooling and its practical applications.

PhD Student

Mr. Zhihao HAO

Mr. Zhihao HAO joined the Prof. Dai J. G.’s research group from September 2019, and focus on the research about the durability of FRP-SSC structure. Mr. HAO graduated with his Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from Shandong University and got his MSc degree in the department of Civil and Environmental engineering from Imperial College London (Distinction degree)

Mr. Jing-Cheng TENG

Mr. Jing-Cheng TECNG joined Prof. Dai’s group from January 2020 and his PhD work focuses on study of impermeable FRP tubular pile wall for marine reclamation. He obtained Masters degree in Civil Engineeering from PolyU in September 2019. His MSc work focused on modelling of suction bucket foundation in clay: from finite element analysis to macro-element model.

Miss Ning YANG

Miss YANG Ning joined Prof. Dai’s group as a Research Assistant from June, 2019. YANG obtained her Master Degree of Science in Corrosion and Protection from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science, China, in September, 2019 and joined as a PhD student from September 2020. Her research work focus on intelligent or multi-functional coating for steel/concrete structures.

Mr. Ke-Fan WENG

Mr. Ke-Fan WENG has joined Prof Dai’s group as a Research Associate from Aug 2019 and focused on the research and development of FRP reinforced ultra-high-performance concrete formwork for semi-prefabricated construction of marine concrete structures. He is pursuing his PhD study under the joint supervision scheme of PolyU and SUS Tech from September 2020.

Mr. Ji-Xiang ZHU

Mr,Ji-Xiang ZHU joined Prof. Dai’s group as a Research Associate from Augest 2019. He obtained his MSc in Civil Engineering from PolyU in July 2019 and is now a PhD student from September 2020. His research work focues on the use of high performance cementitious composites ECC and UHPC as permanent formwork for marine and underground structures.

Mr. Chandra Sekhar DAS

Mr. Chandra Sekhar Das joined Prof. Dai’s research group as Research Assistant in September 2019. He completed his Bachelors from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Dhanbad) and has started his PhD from September 2020. His research work is focused on Engineered Geopolymer Composites (EGC) and corrosion study of reinforced structures.

Mr. Umar Hayat

Mr. Umar Hayat is a Presidential PhD Fellowship Scheme awardee who joined Prof. Dai’s research group from January 2022 as PhD student. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, Pakistan. He completed his master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), South Korea. His PhD work focuses on mechanical behavior of concrete confined with LRS-FRP.

Mr. Tao WANG

Mr. Tao WANG joined Prof. Dai’s research group as a PhD student in September 2022. He obtained his Bachelor from Sun Yat-sen University with First Honor in 2022. His research work focuses on multipfunctional coating and artificial intelligence for infrastructure.

Research Associate/ Assistant

Mr. Sushil KUMAR

Sushil KUMAR joined Prof. Dai’s research group from September 2017 as a PhD student in Structures. Currently he is a Research Associate in Prof Dai’s group. He obtained his PhD from PolyU in 2023 and M.Tech (Structures) degree from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, in 2014. He focuses on structural behavior of precast BFRP grid-reinforced geopolymer concrete sandwich panels subjected to in-plane loading and FRP-seawater sea sand concrete structures.

Mr. Jia-Hui LIU

Mr. Jia-Hui LIU joined Prof. Dai’s research group from January 2023 as a Research Assistant. He obtained his Master degree in Civil Engineering from Wuhan University of Technology in 2022. His research work focuses on the study of cement-based materials including traditional cement (OPC) and novel cement (geopolymer), using all-atom molecular dynamics and coarse-grained molecular dynamics. 

Ms. Sun YAN

Ms. Yan Sun joined Prof. Dai’s group in June 2023 as a Research Assistant. Currently, she is a PhD student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Her doctoral research centers around the catalytic activation of molecular oxygen by sulfurized metal catalysts to effectively degrade refractory organic pollutants . Specifically, she focuses on investigating interfacial electron transfer processes and optimizing catalyst morphology regulation.

Ms. Ziyang CHEN

Ms. Chen Ziyang graduated from Beijing University of Technology, specialising in software engineering. She is now working as a research assistant for Professor Dai, focusing on crack detection.

Former Group Members

Dr. Liu Yongjie

Research Assistant (2008)

Professor, Sichuan University

Dr. GAO Wanyang

PhD Student (2008)

Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiaotong University

Dr. LONG Yulin

Research Associate (2009)

Associate Professor, Guangdong Institute of Technology, China

Dr. WANG Guolin

Research Associate (2009)

Associate Professor, Shanghai Institute of Technology

Dr. BAI Yulei

PhD Student (2009)

Professor, Beijing University of Technology
(Beijing Distinguished Young Scholar, 北京市杰青项目获得者)

Mr. SUN Dianyu

MPhil (2011)

The Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University Co., Ltd

Dr. WANG Wenwei

Research Fellow (2011)

Professor, Southeast University, China

Dr. WANG Xiaohui

Research Associate (2011)

Professor, Shanghai Maritime University

Dr. HOU Xiaomeng

Research Associate (2011)

Professor, Harbin Institute of Technology, China

Mr. MUNIR Sarfaraz

PhD Student (2011)

-

Dr. DING Zhu

Research Associate (2012)

Professor, Shenzhen University, China

Dr. SUN Xiaoyan

Research Assistant (2012)

Associate Professor, Zhejiang University, China

Dr. DUAN An

Research Assistant (2012)

Associate Professor, Zhejiang University, China

Dr. NI Jing

Research Assistant (2013)

-

Dr. ZHENG Jianjun

Research Fellow (2013)

Professor, Zhengjiang Institute of Technology, China

Mr. LI Tao

Research Assistant (2013)

-

Dr. DING Yao

PhD Student (2013)

Assistant Professor, Chongqing University (JSPS Fellow)

Dr. WANG Tiao

Research Assistant (2013)

Research Professor, Tongji University

Ms. ZHANG Yuan

Research Assistant (2014)

The Institute of Urban Planning Design & Research, Shenzhen University

Dr. YU Kequan

PhD Student (2014)

Associate Professor, Tongji University
(NSFC Distinguished Overseas Young Talent, 海外优青)

Mr. AN Xiaopeng

PhD Student (2014)

China Academy of Building Materials

Mr. YANG Xu

Research Assistant (2015)

Assistant Professor, Changsha University of Science & Technology

Dr. WANG Yan-Shuai

PhD Student (2015)

Professor, Shenzhen University
(NSFC Distinguished Overseas Young Talent, 海外优青)

Dr. Ji Jing

Visiting Scholar (2015)

Professor, Northeast Petroleum University, China

Dr. HUANG Junqi

PhD Student (2015)

Assistant Professor, Hefei University of Technology

Mr. WU Jiangchuan

Visiting Scholar (2015)

Associate Professor, Jiangsu Ocean University

Dr. Guo Siyao

Post Doctoral HK Scholar (2016)

Professor, Qingdao University of Technology

Dr. LI Xiaofeng

Research Assistant (2016)

Lecturer, Beijing Institute of Technology, China

Dr. XU Weiting

Research Associate (2016)

Assistant Professor, South China University of Technology

Dr. XUE Xiao

Research Fellow (2016)

Research Scientist, China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute Co. Ltd.

Dr. WANG Huaping

Research Associate (2016)

Associate Professor, Lanzhou University

Dr. GUO Dong

PhD Student (2017)

Post-doctoral Fellow, Guangzhou University

Dr. LIU Yunlin

Visiting Scholar (2017)

Professor, Anhui Institute of Architecture, China

Dr. WANG Hailong

Research Fellow (2017)

Professor, Zhejiang University, China

Dr. XU Yuye

Visiting Scholar (2017)

Professor, Huaqiao University, China

Dr. PENG Kaidi

PhD Student (2017)

Senior Engineer, CCCG Real Estate Group Ltd

Dr. TANG Ning

Post Doctoral HK Scholar (2017)

Professor, Shenyang Jianzhu University

Dr. QIU Qiwen

Post Doctoral Fellow (2018)

Assistant Professor, Huizhou University

Mr. LIANG Zilong

Research Assistant (2018)

China VANKE Co. Ltd

Dr. Bo-Tao HUANG

Research Associate (2018)

Research Professor, Zhejiang University
(NSFC Distinguished Overseas Young Talent, 海外优青)

Mr. YANG Zhuo

Research Assistant (2018)

Guangdong Architectural Design & Research Institute Co. Ltd.

Dr. LIU Yang

Research Assistant (2018)

Project Researcher, Hong Kong Productivity Council

Mr. DONG Peng

Research Assistant (2018)

PhD student, Southern University of Science and Technology

Ms. QIAN Lanping

PhD Student (2018)

Assistant Professor, Beijing University of Technology

Mr. MOHAMMADI Mohsen

Post-Doctoral Fellow (2018)

-

Mr. WANG Xiao - hua

Research Assistant (2019)

Assistant Professor, Tianjin University

Ms. WANG Li-Yi

Visiting Scholar (2019)

Associate Professor, Fujian University of Technology

Mr. XU Lingyu

PhD Student (2019)

Postdoctoral fellow, Zhejiang University

Dr. ZHANG Dong-Dong

Post Doctoral HK Scholar (2020)

Associate Professor, Army Engineering University of PLA.

Dr. JIN Yin-Fu

Research Associate (2020)

Professor, Shenzhen University
(NSFC Distinguished Overseas Young Talent, 海外优青)

Mr. Jian Cong Lao

Research Associate (2020)

PhD Student, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Dr. KHAN Mehran

Post Doctoral Fellow (2021)

Post Doctoral Fellow, University College Dublin, Ireland

Dr. Fang Yi

Research Assistant (2021)

Assistant Professor, Hohai University