My name is Saurav Shrestha, and I am a Ph.D. Candidate in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in Construction Management, at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. I hold 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.

Throughout my academic journey, I have been honored to receive several awards that recognize my dedication to academic and research excellence. These include the Dr. Garold D. Oberlender Endowed Graduate Fellowship/Construction Engineering & Project Management Scholarship, the Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Scholarship under the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Program, and Outstanding Civil and Environmental Engineering Poster Presentation Awards.

During my Ph.D. journey, I have made significant contributions to the field of Civil Engineering through my research endeavors. My work has been published in top journals and conferences, addressing critical aspects of infrastructure development. My research has explored best practices for bundling transportation construction projects and developed guidelines for quality assurance and control in equipment fleet management. Currently, I am working on a project that investigates the benefits of social presence-enabled Augmented Reality platforms for engineering students, aiming to leverage technology to enhance education and learning outcomes. My research has been accepted at leading conferences, including the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, ASCE Construction Research Congress, and ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering.

My extensive work experience in Structural Engineering has provided me with valuable insights and skills in structural design, construction management, and project execution. I bring a wealth of experience from various roles in the civil engineering industry, each contributing to my expertise and vision for advancing infrastructure development:

• Bridge Engineering Intern at the Colorado Department of Transportation (May 2023 – Jan 2024):
  I 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):
  I 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):
  I engaged in structural design and detailing for 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):
  I conducted computer-aided structural analysis, prepared construction drawings, and supervised various construction works.

I am also 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).

My overarching goal is to leverage my expertise in structural engineering, construction management, and emerging technologies to advance infrastructure development in the United States. Whether it involves overseeing complex infrastructure projects, managing structural design and construction processes, or establishing a virtual reality-based endeavor, I am driven by a vision to foster a thriving and connected society through innovative engineering solutions.