RIDER Center

Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response (RIDER) Center is a multi-disciplinary research center

09/02/2026

Meet Dr. Michael Elwardany, Ph.D., P.E., whose research is helping advance more durable and resilient transportation infrastructure.

At the PRISM Lab, Dr. Elwardany studies how pavement materials perform and change over time, including how roads respond to flooding, hurricanes, moisture, aging, and other demanding conditions. His work connects materials science and laboratory research with practical solutions for transportation agencies and industry.

In our latest RIDER interview, Dr. Elwardany shares more about his path into pavement engineering, current research, student mentorship, and commitment to connecting research with the transportation industry.

Read the full interview: https://rider.eng.famu.fsu.edu/article/interview-dr-michael-elwardany

FAMU FSU College of Engineering

08/28/2026

Up and coming leaders in the asphalt industry, as well as established leaders seeking to expand their knowledge: the Future Leaders in Asphalt (FLA) program was designed for you. There’s still time to apply for the program. The application deadline has been extended through September 30, 2026.

FLA is a 12-month hybrid program designed for emerging and established asphalt professionals looking to strengthen their technical knowledge, develop leadership skills, and gain real-world industry experience. Participants will take part in Advanced Asphalt Technology coursework, industry site visits, leadership webinars, and a capstone project.

The program is open to professionals across the asphalt industry, with 2+ years of asphalt experience recommended.

Apply by September 30: https://fsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3WMGmBEI9Qgy6bA?Q_CHL=qr

Learn more about the program, curriculum, and requirements: https://rider.eng.famu.fsu.edu/article/future-leaders-asphalt-fla-program

08/26/2026

Coordinating incoming and outgoing trucks at cross-docking facilities is a complex scheduling challenge. New research explores how adaptive optimization can help create more effective truck schedules while accounting for the many moving parts involved in freight operations.

The researchers developed an algorithm that learns which scheduling strategies perform best as it searches for solutions. In computational testing, the proposed method produced improvements of up to approximately 24% in solution quality compared with other optimization approaches tested.

The study was authored by Bokang Li, Marta Borowska-Stefańska, Szymon Wiśniewski, Qianwen Guo, Yui-yip Lau, and Maxim A. Dulebenets

Read the publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2210650226002221

08/19/2026

What happens when turbulent winds meet a building’s roof?

New research examines how the size of turbulent wind patterns can influence the pressures experienced by low-rise buildings. Using wind tunnel testing, researchers found that under some cornering wind conditions, larger-scale turbulence increased peak roof pressures by up to 33%.

The study by Pedro L. Fernández-Cabán, Ph.D., Nasreldin Mokhtar , P.E, Sifat R. Khan and Ryan A. Catarelli, Ph.D. provides insight into how extreme wind forces interact with roofs and building components—knowledge that can support the evaluation and design of more wind-resilient infrastructure.

Read the full publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016761052600245X?via%3Dihub

08/17/2026

Virtual reality is opening new possibilities for engineering research and education by creating immersive, interactive experiences that bring complex concepts to life.

At the RIDER Center, researchers are exploring how virtual environments can support hands-on learning, technical skill development, and new approaches to engineering education.

One example is Virtual Reality for Immersive and Interactive Surveying Education (VRISE), a research project that allows students to practice ground-based and aerial surveying tasks in an immersive virtual environment. The platform provides opportunities for repeatable practice and real-time feedback while helping students develop technical skills in a controlled setting.

VRISE was developed by Daniel Udekwe, Eren Erman Ozguven, Ren Moses, Qianwen (Vivian) Guo and Dimitrios Bolkas as an immersive approach to surveying education.

Research like VRISE demonstrates how immersive technologies can enhance engineering education and prepare students with practical, real-world skills.

08/15/2026

Stay connected with the RIDER Center!

Want to keep up with the latest research, events, and innovations in resilient infrastructure and disaster response?

Subscribe to the RIDER Center Newsletter by scanning the QR code or signing up here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/7mg4NNUNSY

08/13/2026

AI is transforming how we understand and protect our water resources.

A new study led by Dr. Nasrin Alamdari explores how artificial intelligence is improving the prediction of harmful algal blooms through a comprehensive review of 168 studies.

By identifying trends in AI methods and their applications, this research provides valuable insights that can support earlier detection, better monitoring, and more informed water resource management.

Read the publication: https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/JOEEDU.EEENG-8732

08/05/2026

What influences water quality in Florida's bays?

It's more than just the amount of freshwater flowing into them.

New research from RIDER Center researchers examined nearly two decades of data from Apalachicola Bay to better understand the factors that influence water quality. The study found that nutrient loads, salinity, and natural processes all play important roles alongside freshwater flow.

These findings can help improve how we monitor and manage Florida's coastal waters, supporting healthier ecosystems and more informed environmental decision-making.

This research was led by Dr. Ebrahim Ahmadisharaf in collaboration with Sumon Hossain Rabby, Megan Lamb, Mark Rains, and Jason Garwood.

📖 Read the publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169772226002160

07/14/2026

How can healthcare systems become more sustainable while ensuring patients continue to receive the medications they need?

A team of researchers at the RIDER Center (Fatemeh Shekoohi, Payam Afkhami, and Bokang Li under the guidance of Dr. Maxim A. Dulebenets) are exploring closed-loop pharmaceutical supply chains—an approach that extends the lifecycle of medications through responsible collection, recovery, recycling, and disposal. By integrating these practices into existing supply chains, healthcare systems can reduce pharmaceutical waste, improve resource efficiency, and become more resilient during disruptions.

This research also examines lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies opportunities to strengthen pharmaceutical supply chains through sustainability, circular economy principles, and reverse logistics. The study presents a conceptual framework to support future research and help guide more resilient healthcare logistics systems.

Read the publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0038012126001333?dgcid=coauthor

06/30/2026

Thank you to those who previously showed interest to participate in this study. We are seeking for more volunteers now. Scan the QR code on the flyer to fill the form, if you are willing to participate.

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