Saurav Shrestha is a Ph.D. Candidate in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in Construction Management, at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. He holds a Bachelor's of Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering from Tribhuvan University, Nepal and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering specializing in Structural Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois, USA. Saurav has cultivated a solid foundation in the principles of structural design and academic research and is committed to further develop his expertise in this field and make significant contributions to the advancement of civil engineering. 

His dedication to academic and research excellence has been recognized through various awards, including the Dr. Garold D. Oberlender Endowed Graduate Fellowship/Construction Engineering & Project Management scholarship, Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (CIE)  Scholarship under National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Program, and Outstanding Civil and Environmental Engineering Poster Presentation Awards.

During his PhD journey, he has been making significant contributions to the field of Civil Engineering through his research endeavors. His works have been published in top journals and conferences. His research projects have addressed critical aspects of infrastructure development, including exploring the best practices for bundling transportation construction projects, and developing guidelines for quality assurance and control in equipment fleet management. His ongoing research project aims to explore the benefits of social presence-enabled Augmented Reality platforms for engineering students, underscoring his commitment to leveraging technology to enhance education and learning outcomes. His research has been accepted in leading conferences, including the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, ASCE Construction Research Congress, and ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering.

Saurav's extensive work experience in Structural Engineering has provided him with valuable insights and skills in structural design, construction management and project execution. He brings a wealth of experience from various roles in the civil engineering industry, each contributing to his expertise and vision for advancing infrastructure development:

• • Bridge Engineering Intern at the Colorado Department of Transportation (May 2023 – Jan 2024):
    Demonstrated a keen desire to advance as a Bridge Asset Management Engineer, contributing to load rating, routine inspections, and bridge asset management tasks.

  • Project Engineer (Structural) at B & T Engineering Inc., Tulsa, OK (Nov 2018 – Aug 2019):
    Conducted structural analysis of telecommunication infrastructures and buildings, along with geotechnical design.

  • Structural Engineer EI at Soils and Structures, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (Jul 2017 – Oct 2018):
    Engaged in structural design, detail of commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential buildings, and performed field visits for measurements and inspections.

  • Structural Engineer at G.L. Engineering Consultancy, Kathmandu, Nepal (Oct 2013 – Jul 2015):
    Conducted computer-aided structural analysis, prepared construction drawings, and supervised various construction works.

Saurav is an active member of professional organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). 

Saurav's overarching goal is to leverage his expertise in structural engineering, construction management, and emerging technologies to advance infrastructure development in the United States. Whether overseeing complex infrastructure projects, managing structural design and construction processes, or establishing his virtual reality-based endeavor, he is driven by a vision of fostering a thriving and connected society through innovative engineering solutions.