Position
Postdoctoral Researcher (Sep 2026-Present)
Education
- Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2026
- M.Eng., Built Environment, Korea University, 2020
- B.S., Civil Engineering, Paragon International University, 2017
Biography
Sopharith Chou graduated with high honors in Civil Engineering from Paragon International University, Cambodia, in July 2017. He was subsequently awarded the Global Korea Scholarship and joined the School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at Korea University in September 2018. In August 2020, he earned his Master of Engineering in Built Environment, specializing in Geotechnical Engineering, under the supervision of Professor Woojin Lee. Following graduation, Sopharith worked as an engineer in the Infrastructure Department at SAMOOCM Architects & Engineers. In August 2022, he joined the Zachary Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University as a Ph.D. student in Geotechnical Engineering. Under the supervision of Dr. Anand J. Puppala, he earned his Ph.D. in 2026 with a dissertation titled “Multi-Scale Investigation of Chemically Stabilized Problematic Expansive Clay: Laboratory Characterization, Durability, and Machine Learning-Based Prediction Models.” His research interests include ground improvement, soil stabilization, durability, laboratory testing, and machine-learning applications in geotechnical engineering
Previous Experience
- Graduate Assistant – Research at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
- Engineer at SAMOOCM Architects and Engineers Company
- Research and Teaching Assistant at Korea University
- Student Assistant at Paragon International University
Professional Affiliations
- Student Member (ASCE)
- Student Member (Geo-Institute)
Publications
- Chou, S., Huang, J., Lakkimsetti, B, Parr, K., Puppala, A.J., Cetin, B. (2026). “Experimental study on engineering and microstructural behavior of lime sludge stabilized expansive soils under cyclic environmental stressors” Engineering Geology, Elsevier Publishers, March 2026, 1016/j.enggeo.2026.108690.
- Chou, S., Huang, J., Lakkimsetti, B, Puppala, A.J., Velasquez, R. (2026). “Insights into the Influence of Environmental Stressors on Expansive Subgrades Stabilized with Different Calcium-Based Stabilizers for Resilient Transportation Infrastructure.” Transportation Research Record, March 2026, org/0.1177/03611981261423467.
- Chou, S., Puppala, A.J., Biswas, B., Huang, O., Radovic, M. (2025). “Role of Calcined-Clay-Based Geopolymers for Effective Stabilization of Expansive Soils,” Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol, 62, March, 2025, org/10.1139/cgj-2024-0577.
- Chou, S., Yoon, B., Lee, W., Choo, H., Park, J., Lee, C., (2024). “Stabilization of sand with combined use of lignosulfonate and polyethyleneimine: Water resistance and mechanical properties of treated sand.” Geomechanics and Engineering, 39(6), 579-591. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2024.39.6.579
- Chou, S., Biswas, N., Puppala, A.J., Huang, O., Radovic, M. (2024). “Evaluation of Locally Available Calcined Clay-Based Geopolymer for Stabilization of Expansive Soils.” National Research Council, Transportation Research Record, 2024, doi:10.1177/03611981241235189
Awards & Honors
- Graduate Student Research and Presentation (RAP) Travel Award, 2024 & 2025
- Terracon Endowed Fellowship, 2024 & 2025
- Don Murff ‘70 Endowed Fellowship, 2023
- Zachry Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Excellence Fellowship, 2022
- Excellent Research Paper Award, 2019
- Global Korean Scholarship, 2017
- Paragon International University Scholarship, 2013
- Silver Medalist in National Physics Olympiad, 2013