We are excited to welcome four new PhD students to Dr. Puppala’s Geomechanics and Geotechnical Research Group at Texas A&M University in Fall 2025.
- Fonjo Desmond Ngwayu joins us from the University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon with Bachelor’s (B. Eng) and Master’s (M. Eng) degrees in Civil Engineering.
- Hyunjong Cha pursued Bachelor of Science and Master of Science at Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea.
- Sadguru Sharan Agrahari completed his Dual Degree (B. Tech + M. Tech) in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India.
- Youngsang Kim earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering from Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
These students will be working on cutting-edge research topics, including remote sensing and UAV studies, the integration of AI/ML tools for modeling asset conditions, large-scale box studies on geosynthetic-reinforced infrastructure under flooding simulations, and the development of innovative, uniform durability protocols for calcium-based chemical additives for geomaterials. Each brings unique expertise and strong research background that will enrich our team’s geotechnical and transportation research works. Looking forward to their contributions and the impact they’ll make within our group and the broader geotechnical field.
