Congratulations to the EMI 2025 Student Competition Winners. Students received their certificates at the Student Awards Ceremony, held at EMI 2025 on Thursday May 29th in Anaheim, CA.

EMI Computational Mechanics Student Paper Competition

First Place
 “Machine Learning-Assisted Multi-Time-Step Coupling Methods in Structural Dynamics”
 Sunbeom Kwon, Purdue University

Second Place
 “Multi-stage calibration framework for continuum damage mechanics models”
 Roshan Philip Saji, New York University

Third Place
 “Coupled Lattice Discrete Particle Model for simulating chloride transport in cracked concrete members"”
 Yingbo Zhu, University of Pittsburgh

Finalist
 “Multimaterial topology optimization of elastoplastic composite structures”
Yingqi Jia, University of Illinois

Finalist
 "Efficient Analysis of Cracked Beams using a global-local XFEM approach”"
Gopal Agrawal, Columbia University

EMI Dynamics Student Paper Competition

First Place
 “Accelerated Dynamic Response Computation in Metamaterials via Parametric Reduced Order Models”
 Jesus Pereira, University of Michigan

Second Place
 “Survival probability determination of multi-degree-of-freedom oscillators with fractional derivatives and subject to non-stationary excitation”
 Joao Gabriel C. S. Duarte, University of Minnesota

Third Place
 “Unmasking noise bias in finite element model updating: Bayesian inference for joint parameter-input-noise estimation”
 Abdelrahman Taha, University of Nevada

EMI Fluid Dynamics Student Paper Competition

Winner
 "Machine Learning-Based Optimization for Enhancing Aerodynamic Performance of Multi-Row Ground-Mounted Solar Trackers"
Pejman Fatehi, Colorado State University

EMI Granular Materials Technical Committee Student Paper Competition

First Place (Experimental)
 “Rapid Compaction in Granular Materials - In-situ Experiments and Mesoscale Modeling”
 Sohanjit Ghosh, Johns Hopkins University

First Place (Theoretical)
 “Generalized Granular Micromechanics Approach to Predict Performance of Particulate Products”
 Abhinav Ramkumar, Purdue University

EMI Machine Learning in Mechanics Student Paper Competition

Winner
 “Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models for Predicting Pixel-Wise Uncertainty in Full-Field Material Response”
 Purna Vindhya Kota, John Hopkins University

Winner
 “Conditional Generative Models for Data Assimilation of Dynamical Systems”
 Brianna Binder, University of Southern California

EMI Modeling Inelasticity and Multiscale Behavior Student Paper Competition

First Place
 “Modeling the Swelling-Shrinkage-Swelling Response of Mesoporous Materials from Vacuum Dry to Full Liquid Saturation”
 Mohammadali Behboodi, University of Colorado Boulder

Runner-Up
 “Homogenization of Viscoelastic Composite with Spherical Inclusions under Harmonic Excitation”
 Jinming Zhang, Columbia University

Runner-Up
 “A General Acceleration Scheme for Localizing Gradient Damage Modeling”
 Shqipron Shala, Columbia University

EMI Objective Resilience Student Paper Competition

First Place
 “A Novel Framework for Detecting Disaster-Induced Power Outages Globally via Satellite Observations and Physics-Guided AI”
 Prateek Arora, New York University

Second Place
 “Collective Emotional Response to Hazards: A Statistical Physics Perspective for Human-Centric Community Resilience”
 Xiaolei Chu, University of California, Berkeley

Third Place
 “Uncertainty-Aware Fragility Modeling of Urban Building Exteriors Subjected to Hurricane-induced Windborne Debris with Conditional Generative Adversarial Nets”
 Ziluo Xiong, Colorado State University

EMI Poromechanics Student Paper Competition

Winner
 “Impact Cratering in Sandstones: Effect of Porosity and Atmospheric Pressure”
 Shachi Singh, Johns Hopkins University

Winner
 “Multiscale 3D characterization of the hierarchical porous structure in SBA-15”
 SeoYoung Ahn, The University of Utah

EMI Probabilistic Methods Student Paper Competition

Winner
 “Multi-resolution Score-Based Variational Graphical Diffusion for Causal Disaster System Modeling and Inference”
 Xuechun Li, Johns Hopkins University

Winner
 “Multi-fidelity Stratified Sampling with Adaptive Backpropagation Transfer Learning for Small Probability Estimation under Rare Events”
 Liuyun Xu, University of Michigan

EMI Properties of Materials Student Paper Competition

First Place
 “Particle Packing Factor (PPF) - A Novel Parameter for Systematic Refinement of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Microstructure and Properties”
 Bayezid Baten, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Second Place
 “Strain Localization and Damage Mechanics in Copper: A Combined Experimental and Numerical Study”
 Amin Tabaei, Louisiana State University

Third Place
 “Thermoelectric Properties of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymers: Exploring Ionic and Electronic-based thermoelectricity”
 Jeon Sangbum, Nanyang Technological University

EMI Structural Health Monitoring and Control Student Paper Competition

First Place
 “Vibration-based Damage Assessment Enhanced by Integrating Deep Support Vector Description with Convolutional Autoencoder”
 Soyeon Park, Seoul National University

Second Place
 “Damage Classification of Deployable Origami Structure Using Supervised Machine Learning”
 Angshuman C Baruah, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Third Place
 “Automated Text and Defect Detection in Radiographic Images of Pipeline Welds: A Noise-Robust Approach for Enhanced Inspection”
 Abhishek Subedi, Purdue University

EMI Structural Stability Committee Student Paper Competition

First Place
 “The Effect of Lateral Restraining Plate Width on the Experimental Lateral Torsional Buckling Loads of Simple Beams with Arbitrary Layups”
 Mohammad S. Bani Hani, Kansas State University

Second Place
 “FORCE STABLE RECONFIGURABLE TRUSS STRUCTURES USING QUADRILATERAL LINKAGE PRINCIPLES”
 Hardik Y. Patil, University of Michigan