Faculty
“Dr. Arvin” Ebrahimkhanlou, PhD, PE
Dr. Arvin Ebrahimkhanlou is an Assistant Professor in the Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering (CAEE) Department at Drexel University with a courtesy appointment in the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics (MEM) Department. He has received his Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin, where also completed his postdoc. Dr. Arvin’s research is in the area of robotic-based and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based assessment of civil infrastructures as well as mechanical and aerospace structures. Dr. Arvin is specialized in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analysis, signal processing, robotics, uncertainty quantification, computer vision, and wave propagation. Dr. Arvin also has a keen passion for teaching and supervising student activity.
PhD Students/Candidates
Mr. Mitesh Arora, Ph.D. Student in the Civil Engineering Department at Drexel University, with over four years of experience in artificial intelligence. His research focuses on generative AI, particularly diffusion-based models (DDPM), to generate high-fidelity architectural and structural data and build scalable AI systems for data-driven engineering applications such as life cycle assessment, material quantification, and infrastructure analytics. He is broadly interested in generative AI, deep learning, and large-scale data-driven systems, with an emphasis on developing intelligent models for simulation, prediction, and automated interpretation of complex engineering data. His goal is to advance scalable and robust AI solutions for next-generation infrastructure systems and smart built environments.
Mr. Pranav Chougule, Ph.D. student at Drexel University in the Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering Department, where his research focuses on AI-enabled robotic multimodal nondestructive evaluation (NDE) for additive construction process control and deconstructed material reuse. Prior to this, he received his Master’s degree in Robotics and Autonomous Systems from Arizona State University and his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Mumbai. Currently, Pranav is working on robotic CO₂ sequestration in cementitious materials using automated robotic systems together with multimodal analysis methods such as laser profiling, acoustic emission, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. He is also developing robotic inspection systems for deconstructed construction materials using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) testing, vision-language models (VLMs), and vision-language-action (VLA) frameworks. In addition, his work includes hyperspectral imaging for earthen material 3D printing and ROS-based rover control with SLAM for bridge inspection. His broader goal is to develop intelligent robotic systems for sustainable construction, infrastructure monitoring, and material reuse.
Mr. Derrick Appiah Osei is a Ph.D. Student in the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics Department at Drexel University, where his research focuses on developing artificial intelligence and computer vision methods for nondestructive evaluation. His work centers on ultrasonic imaging, including the development of diffusion-based generative models for synthetic data generation and convolutional neural networks for distinguishing between real and AI-generated signals. He is particularly interested in building intelligent perception systems that improve the reliability, efficiency, and trustworthiness of inspection technologies, with broader applications in autonomous systems and robotics.
Master Students
Mr. Dang Hoang “Nam” Nguyen, Master’s student in Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University,
focusing on Robotics and Automation with a minor in Industrial & Systems Engineering. He has over five
years of industry experience in engineering and technical solutions, including roles at Mitsubishi Elevator Vietnam, Ajinomoto Vietnam, and GS E&C. His background includes structural mechanics, sensor-based monitoring systems, vibration
analysis, predictive maintenance, and vertical
transportation systems. At Drexel, he is developing
expertise in NDE methods, data analysis and
machine learning for science and manufacturing, as
well as computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
analysis.
Mr. Roshan Persaud, Master’s Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University. International student from Toronto with a strong interest in understanding the mechanical behavior of materials under different loading conditions, as well as the small-scale and microscopic mechanisms that influence material performance. Currently working with Dr. Arvin on developing conditional DDPM frameworks to generate synthetic representative images of material microstructures, helping expand experimental datasets and accelerate the development of Process–Structure–Property (PSP) relationships. Also supported research efforts to establish Python-based computer vision methods for material characterization. Currently on co-op at Kulicke and Soffa, where involved with the process team for ball bonders wire bonding machines used in semiconductor chip manufacturing.
Mr. Achyut Lnu, Master’s student in Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University, focusing on Design and Manufacturing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and has two years of industry experience as an Associate Sourcing Leader at GE Healthcare.
His current research focuses on integrating Digital Image Correlation (DIC) with 3D printing systems to improve structural accuracy and enable real-time monitoring and control during fabrication, particularly under varying environmental conditions.
Mr. Martin Simbarashe Chiworeke,
Master’s student in Civil Engineering (Structural) at Drexel University, actively involved in a research lab and co-advised by Dr. Ivan Bartoli and Dr. Arvin Ebrahimkhanlou, working on bridge weigh-in-motion systems.
Undergraduate students
Mr. Timothy Mooney,
tm3479@drexel.edu
Majoring in Engineering Technology at Drexel University with co-op experience in the Arvin Lab, focusing on interactive robotics for damage detection in civil infrastructure.
Mr. Mohd Apurbo,
msa354@drexel.edu
Majoring in Mechanical Engineering working on Laser-based monitoring of robotic carbon dioxide injection in fresh additively manufactured concrete in Arvin lab.
Mr. Guillermo Martinez-Rodero,
gm848@drexel.edu
Majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Finance at Drexel University and actively involved in the Arvin Lab, conducting research on guided ultrasonic waves for corrosion damage detection in prestressed concrete.
Mr. David Abraham,
dma336@drexel.edu
Majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics at Drexel University, with a research focus in the Arvin Lab on robotic CO₂ injection in 3D-printed concrete to advance sustainable construction materials and automated manufacturing processes.
Mr. Zarar Haroon Khokhar,
zhk26@drexel.edu
Majoring in Electrical Engineering at Drexel University and actively involved in the Arvin Lab, conducting research on robotic eddy current sensing for damage detection in metallic panels.
Mr. Rainon Feroze,
zhk26@drexel.edu
Majoring in Architectural Engineering at Drexel University and actively involved in the Arvin Lab, conducting research on non-destructive evaluation of reclaimed construction materials.
Mr. Austin Chan,
akc88@drexel.edu
Majoring in Civil Engineering at Drexel University, conducting research on non-destructive evaluation of early-stage concrete in the Arvin Lab.
Ms. Ashrafi Amin,
aa4874@drexel.edu
Majoring in Architectural Engineering at Drexel University and actively involved working on Generative AI for circular building design in Arvin lab
Mr. Taksh Patel,
tp858@drexel.edu
Majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics at Drexel University, working on the design of a concrete 3D printer in the Arvin Lab.
Mr. Riad Mehmud,
rm3698@drexel.edu
Majoring in Architectural Engineering at Drexel University, working on the design of a concrete 3D printer in the Arvin Lab.
Mr. Asa Bordley,
agb96@drexel.edu
Majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics at Drexel University and actively involved in the Arvin Lab, conducting research on acoustic emission for mass timber structures.
Mr. Lena Szeto,
ls3722@drexel.edu
Majoring in Computer Science at Drexel University and actively involved in the Arvin Lab, conducting research on computer vision, interactive systems, and damage detection.
Mr. Amir Yelubay
aay29@drexel.edu
Majoring in Electrical Engineering at Drexel University and actively involved in the Arvin Lab, conducting research on wireless nodes for bridge health monitoring and bridge weigh-in-motion systems.
Alumni and Former Members
Dr. Pedram Bazrafshan, PhD
Pedram completed his Ph.D. at Drexel University, Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering Department. He started his studies in Jan 2023. Prior to that, Pedram received his bachelor’s degree from K. N. Toosi University of Technology in 2016 and his Master’s degree from Amirkabir University of Technology in 2019. Currently, Pedram is working on a concrete crack quantification project. The over-arching goal of Pedram’s dissertation is to automate the visual inspection process from data acquisition to a decision support system. He aims to employ graph theory to present brand-new features for Structural Health Monitoring and Nondestructive Evaluation of concrete structures, specifically, reinforced concrete shear walls.
Dr. Ali Ghadimzadeh Alamdari, PhD
Ali completed his Ph.D. in the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics Department at Drexel University, where his research focused on integrating robotics into infrastructure monitoring. He has a keen interest in developing innovative solutions to address challenges in the field of civil engineering, particularly in the area of structural health monitoring using robotic techniques for detailed defect reconstruction with structure geometry. His research aims to leverage advances in robotics and automation to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and safety of infrastructure monitoring and maintenance, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and resilience of our built environment.
Ms. Rhythm Osan, Former Master’s student in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering Concentration) at Drexel University, where she utilized machine learning to develop models for evaluating crack patterns in concrete and predicting the structural integrity of structures after seismic activity.
Ms. Emily Walls, a former Architectural Engineering student at Drexel University, worked on UPV for life cycle assessment of reclaimed bricks with Dr. Fernanda and Dr. Arvin Ebrahimkhanlou.
Mr. Kris Melag was a former student at Drexel University and was actively involved in the Arvin Lab.