Kayla Sorenson
sorenson@pdx.edu
Curriculum Vitae
LinkedIn
Kayla is a PhD Candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Portland State University. Her research focuses on reducing the liquefaction susceptibility of fine-grained soils using the emerging method of microbially induced desaturation (MID).
Amir Barati Nia
amir9@pdx.edu
Curriculum Vitae
LinkedIn
My research focuses on unraveling the complexities of transitional silt behavior, particularly in the context of the Pacific Northwest where they are abundant. Through a combination of laboratory testing and numerical modeling, I aim to systematically investigate the influence of Plasticity Index on these challenging soils, ultimately refining CPT interpretation and developing more accurate soil models. This work will directly benefit geotechnical engineering practice in regions with transitional silts, and will also contribute to a better understanding of other non-standard soils like mine tailings.
Benyamin Jalilnavaznovin
benyamin@pdx.edu
Curriculum Vitae
My research centers on exploring the cyclic behavior of natural silt in pile-supported wharves during seismic events. I utilize a combination of conducting centrifuge tests at the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) facility at UC Davis and numerical simulations to gain insights into how these structures perform under cyclic loading. This work aims to enhance the resilience of waterfront infrastructure by improving our understanding of soil-structure interaction during earthquakes.
Fadzai Zivanai
fzivanai@pdx.edu
Curriculum Vitae
LinkedIn
Microbially Induced Desaturation, MID, is a bio-geotechnical method used to desaturate subsurface
liquefiable soils by using microbes, calcium nitrate, and calcium acetate to produce nitrogen gas. My
research will focus on determining the current extend of the MID gas since the MID treatment done in
2019 at Sunderland site and also assess the longevity of the gas in silty soils using the seepage tank.
Michelle “Chelle” Guckenheimer
mag7@pdx.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Chelle is currently working on creating lab manuals for PSU’s new high-stress triaxial device and testing Standard Sands at high Stresses. This research will be imperical data to show justification for current numerical and finite models. The triax has the ability to reach 20 MPa and 6 internal and external transducers.
Ana Tijerina Esquino
act4@pdx.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Ana is an Engineer-in-Training with experience in project management, estimating, change order management, contracting, stakeholder engagement, structural analysis and condition assessment, geotechnical and environmental site reconnaissance, geotechnical field investigation and laboratory testing, and construction observation. She is proficient in transportation data analysis, construction management, finance, and civil design. Ana brings an ability to convey and communicate complex technical concepts to stakeholders of varying technical backgrounds. She is an energetic consultant with strong interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills. Ana also fills a dedicated role leading early career professionals to help deliver Mott MacDonald’s inclusive social outcomes agenda embedding long lasting positive change in project design and delivery.
Sal Beltran
sbeltran@pdx.edu
Curriculum Vitae
LinkedIn
Sal is a Ph.D. student in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Portland State University. His research is focused on investigating the relationship between Critical State Line-based interpretation of CPTu data and Uncertainty Quantification for standard and non-standard soils. Sal’s experience as a geotechnical engineering consultant has given him insight into understanding our current limitations in industry and hopes his research will help fill in some of those voids.