Dr. Hassan Homami Memorial Scholarship

I grew up in my hometown Sirjan in the south of Iran․ My parents did not have the opportunity to receive formal literacy education. However, they deeply believed in the power of knowledge. They always encouraged me and my siblings to study, to think beyond our circumstances, and to believe that every successful path passes through learning. Even without formal education, they gave us one of the most valuable lessons of my life: there should be no limitation on belief, effort, or imagination. In high school‚ I was particularly interested in math and engineering․ I loved the idea that engineers took an idea from the mind and turned it into something real that made a difference‚ that made people's lives better․To me, engineering was not only about formulas; it was about creativity, innovation, and responsibility. I also believe that true creativity comes from a deeper source. Rumi writes in the Mathnavi, “For those brickbats were made solid by the brick-maker, the rock was hardened by Divine art.” This verse reminds me that human creativity can shape the world, but it should also be used with purpose. In Iran‚ I saw how much life‚ time‚ money‚ and environmental quality could be lost every day because of transportation problems․ So my interest became focused more and more on transportation after my undergraduate degree in civil engineering․ The crashes‚ congestion‚ unsafe roads‚ delayed response‚ and inefficient systems not only affect drivers‚ but also families‚ workers‚ and entire communities․ At the same time, I was strongly interested in technology and computer science. The possibility of combining transportation engineering with modern technology motivated me to continue in this field. Today‚ I am a PhD student in Transportation Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)‚ and my dissertation is in the field of smart transportation systems․ My dissertation focuses on improving traffic incident response through a system called IRIS, the Incident Response Intelligence System. The goal of this work is simple but meaningful: to help transportation operators make faster and better decisions when crashes or incidents happen on freeways. If incident response can become faster and more informed, it can help reduce delays, prevent secondary crashes, support emergency response, save money, reduce fuel waste, and potentially save lives. Other projects that have been connected to this mission include crash safety analysis‚ truck parking prediction‚ bicycle travel demand modeling‚ speed camera safety analysis‚ and traffic operations research․ While grounded in data and technology‚ the goal is to improve safety‚ mobility‚ sustainability and reliability of transportation systems for the benefit of the traveling public․ While I write my dissertation‚ I continue to work half time as a research assistant․ I hope to defend my dissertation proposal this summer and submit a couple papers to the Transportation Research Board․ This scholarship would help support my graduate education, research progress, conference participation, and the cost of presenting my work to the transportation community. Attending and presenting at conferences such as TRB would allow me to learn from experts, receive feedback, and share research that can contribute to safer and smarter transportation systems. Dr․ Hassan Homami inspires me because he represents education‚ perseverance‚ engineering‚ mentorship‚ and the courage to build a meaningful life as an immigrant․ I believe higher education should not only be a platform for individual advancement but also an opportunity to create value in others' lives- like Dr․ Homami has in mine․ I aspire to improve the responsiveness‚ safety‚ and life-saving nature of transportation systems through engineering‚ technology‚ and research‚ and help others on their paths to education․

Growing up in Sri Lanka, I was always curious about how things worked. As a child, I enjoyed science and mathematics, but I was especially fascinated by materials, machines, and how engineering could improve people’s lives. I did not grow up surrounded by advanced technology or research opportunities, so I learned to observe, question, and solve problems creatively with the resources available to me. Over time, that curiosity developed into a passion for engineering and eventually led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at New Mexico Tech in the United States. My academic journey has not been straightforward. I initially entered graduate studies through Physics, but over time I realized that I wanted to apply scientific principles more directly to real-world engineering challenges. That realization motivated my transition into Materials and Metallurgical Engineering. I became deeply interested in understanding how materials behave under extreme conditions and how engineering research can improve safety, reliability, and sustainability in modern technologies. My research focuses on material behavior under high strain-rate conditions, particularly micro-particle impacts and microscopic failure mechanisms. I am especially interested in how materials respond in extreme environments and how this knowledge can improve systems used in aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, and protective technologies. Even a small material failure in these environments can lead to serious consequences. Understanding these behaviors can help engineers design safer and more reliable materials for future technologies. Before joining my current Ph.D. program, I worked on solar-energy-related research at the Open University of Sri Lanka, where I studied dye-sensitized semiconductor materials for solar-cell applications. That experience strengthened my interest in sustainable engineering and showed me how materials research can contribute to solving global challenges. Later, during my master’s degree in Applied Electronics at the University of Colombo, I designed and developed a 2-D ultrasonic anemometer and wind vane weather-parameter measuring system. Through these experiences, I realized that engineering is about creating solutions that improve safety and quality of life. Coming to the United States as a first-generation immigrant student was one of the biggest transitions of my life. I had to adapt to a completely new educational system, research culture, and environment while balancing financial pressure and the challenges of graduate school. Although the journey was difficult, those experiences strengthened my resilience and determination. They also taught me the importance of mentorship and supportive academic communities. Dr. Hassan Homami’s story deeply resonates with me because he believed in education, lifelong learning, and helping others while pursuing his own goals. Like him, I understand the challenges of balancing responsibilities and higher education while continuing to move forward with purpose. His dedication to mentorship is especially meaningful to me because I know how important guidance and encouragement can be for students who sometimes feel isolated in engineering environments. Throughout my journey, I have tried to support and encourage other students whenever possible, especially women and international students in STEM. Through organizations such as AAUW and SWE, I have connected with communities that promote educational access and support women in engineering. Recently, I was honored to receive both the Robbie Jones Memorial Scholarship and the NMT-AAUW Scholarship, which encouraged me to continue pursuing my goals despite financial and personal challenges. My long-term goal is to continue expanding my knowledge in materials engineering while contributing to research that improves the safety and reliability of advanced technologies. At the same time, I hope to mentor and encourage future students from underrepresented and immigrant backgrounds. I want my work to combine technical innovation, resilience, and mentorship in the same spirit that Dr. Hassan demonstrated throughout his life.

Standing four stories underground at the HANA Financial Group construction site, I was supposed to be focused on the concrete pouring plan for the next day. But I kept thinking about the voids we'd found in our mockup test—air pockets below the EPS inserts that could compromise the entire Double Beam System. My supervisor wanted a quick fix, but I knew this wasn't just about passing inspection. Somewhere above this foundation, people would work for decades, trusting that we'd done this right. That's when it hit me: engineering isn't about having all the answers. It's about taking responsibility when you don't. I didn't always think this way. When I researched concrete at Nagoya University, I loved that everything had a clear answer. My work on moisture transport earned top presenter at a national conference, and I felt like I'd found my path—stay in research, keep things controlled and measurable. Then I started working at Hyundai E&C. The $343 million project didn't care about my lab protocols. We had weather delays, worker shortages, and schedules that didn't pause for problems. When workers couldn't get proper concrete consolidation around those EPS inserts, I had to get on site and demonstrate the technique myself, working with people who'd been doing this for twenty years. It was frustrating and messy. It was also when I actually started understanding construction engineering. I think about Dr. Hassan working full-time while doing his PhD, and I get it now. It's not just about being busy or determined. It's about seeing problems from both sides—the theoretical side that knows what should work, and the practical side that knows what actually can work. That tension is where real solutions happen. Being a first-generation immigrant adds another layer. I moved to Japan at eighteen, spent my first year translating every lecture in my head, always feeling one step behind. When I finally got comfortable, I started tutoring other international students because I remembered how isolating it felt. Later, working as a technical translator, I saw how communication breakdowns become engineering risks—a mistranslated specification can compromise an entire project. Now I'm at UT Austin starting my M.S./Ph.D., and I'm that international student again. But I'm also bringing something valuable: I've seen how different countries approach construction, and they each have insights the others need. My research focuses on construction productivity and quality management—finding better ways to bridge the gap between planning and execution on site. What really gets me about Dr. Hassan's story is that while battling cancer and managing everything else, he still mentored interns. That's understanding that the work doesn't end with your own achievements. As someone who's been the lost international student, the junior engineer making mistakes, I know how much it matters when someone takes time to help you. I'm not going to pretend I have Dr. Hassan's level of resilience—working through cancer while pursuing a PhD is extraordinary. But I understand the core of it: believing education matters enough to pursue it despite obstacles, staying committed to practical work while deepening your knowledge, and helping others navigate the path you've walked. Those aren't just nice values. They're what move our field forward. This scholarship would connect me to Dr. Hassan's legacy. Being a first-generation immigrant isn't just a challenge to overcome—it's a perspective that enriches engineering. We bring different approaches, different solutions, different ways of seeing problems. That's what Dr. Hassan brought to transportation systems, and that's what I hope to bring to construction engineering. Not despite the challenges of being an immigrant pursuing advanced education, but because of them.

Growing up in Kasoa, a small town in Ghana, I learned engineering before I knew what engineering was. With limited resources, my childhood was filled with creativity born of necessity. I crafted toys from discarded cans, transforming waste into wonder. Those early experiences taught me that engineering is fundamentally about problem-solving, resourcefulness, and seeing potential where others see limitations. This foundation, combined with exposure to science fiction and medieval technology in films during middle school, ignited my fascination with how humans have continuously innovated to overcome challenges, from ancient metalworking to futuristic transportation systems. My specific passion lies in Computational Materials Science, focusing on understanding how manufacturing processes affect material properties and performance. During my undergraduate studies, courses in Materials Science and Manufacturing revealed the intricate relationship between how we make things and what those things can accomplish. I became captivated by metal casting, one of humanity's oldest manufacturing techniques, which remains fundamental to modern transportation systems. From lightweight alloys that improve vehicle fuel efficiency to high-performance materials for aerospace applications, the materials we develop directly impact how people and goods move across our world. Currently pursuing my PhD in Mechanical Engineering, I am investigating the effect of post-processing treatments on the fatigue behavior of additively manufactured titanium alloys. This research directly connects to transportation applications, where lightweight, high-strength materials are critical for sustainable vehicle design. As a Teaching Assistant for Design of Machine Elements, I work daily with students analyzing cast components used in automotive and aerospace systems, helping them understand how material selection and manufacturing processes determine performance, safety, and efficiency. My plan for expanding knowledge and making an impact follows a dual path. Academically, I am deepening my expertise in computational modeling to predict material behavior, reducing the costly trial-and-error approach that makes advanced materials inaccessible to smaller manufacturers. I aim to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical implementation, ensuring innovations reach the industries and communities that need them most. Professionally, I envision a career in research and development followed by education, where I can mentor the next generation of engineers while contributing to our understanding of materials for transportation and other critical applications. Dr. Hassan's story resonates deeply with me as a first-generation immigrant pursuing graduate education. Like him, I believe education is the most powerful tool for creating positive change. My commitment extends beyond technical excellence to making engineering more accessible and sustainable. Growing up in Ghana, I witnessed firsthand how transportation infrastructure shapes economic opportunities and the quality of life. I have seen how resource constraints drive innovation, and how sustainable engineering practices are not luxuries but necessities for communities like the one where I was raised. My vision is to contribute to transportation systems through innovative materials that prioritize both performance and sustainability. Whether developing lighter alloys that reduce fuel consumption, improving manufacturing efficiency to lower costs, or mentoring students who will tackle tomorrow's challenges, I am committed to making engineering more accessible, sustainable, and impactful. Dr. Hassan dedicated his life to education and mentorship while advancing intelligent transportation systems. I aspire to honor that legacy by pursuing the same dual commitment: pushing the boundaries of Materials Science while empowering others through education, ensuring that the next generation has the knowledge and resources to build a more sustainable connected world.