People

Somayeh Asadi, Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering, Ph.D. LEED AP O+M, M. ASCE 

Dr. Asadi is an associate professor of the Department of Architectural Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. Her research interest focus on Building Design Optimization, Design of High-Performance Buildings, and Demand Response Management System. Dr. Asadi teaches courses in construction management, building energy efficiency,  and integrated building design.

 

 


Yuqing Hu, Ph.D.  –  Assistant Professor of Architectural Engineering
Director of the DIgital and Interdependent Built Environment (DII) lab

Image of Dr. Yuqing Hu

Dr. Hu is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Architecture Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Her research interests lie in using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and graph-based artificial intelligence to improve design and construction automation. Her work includes graph-based multi-disciplinary design coordination, data interoperability for construction, and technology and project organization interactions.

 

 


Robert M. Leicht, Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Architecture Engineering, Director of Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence

Dr. Leicht is an associate professor and graduate of the Department of Architectural Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He is the Director of the Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence (PACE) at Penn State.  Dr. Leicht studies the evolving role of integrated teams in the delivery of high-performance buildings.  He studies how project organization and procurement of projects, as well as the processes, tools, and methods used to engage interdisciplinary teams, influence team, and project performance.

 


John Messner, Ph.D. – Charles and Elinor Matts Professor of Architecture Engineering Director, Computer Integrated Construction and Research Program

Dr. Messner is a professor and graduate of the Penn State Architectural Engineering program.  He joined the faculty after spending seven years in the construction industry working as a project manager. His research interests focus on Building Information Modeling adoption and the development of visualization systems for use in engineering education and the AEC industry. He also performs research related to delivery methods and strategic management related to the adoption of integrating technologies

 


Esther Obonyo – Interim Director of Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship & Associate Professor

Dr. Obonyo is an associate professor of Engineering Design and Architectural Engineering at Penn State. Dr. Obonyo is also Director of the Global Building Network, an international initiative aimed at making buildings more sustainable, efficient, and healthier for people.