Team Members
Since 2017, two postdoc scholars, three PhDs, fifteen master’s, and one undergraduate PMCE lab students have graduated from UNLV under Dr. Choi’s supervision. In Fall 2026, three Ph.D. students and one postdoc scholar are under Dr. Choi’s supervision.
Postdoctoral Scholar:
1. WooBin Kwon, Ph.D. from Korea University (2025 Spring – 2026 Fall)
Graduate Students:
1. Kiran Moktan, PhD student in Civil Engineering (Joined in 2025 Spring; Expected Graduation: 2027 Spring)
2. Fredrick Ogundeyi, PhD student in Civil Engineering (Joined in 2026 Spring; Expected Graduation: N/A)
3. Mahya Nazari-Sharabian, PhD student in Civil Engineering (Joined in 2026 Fall; Expected Graduation: N/A)
High School Students:
1. Emily Thirinthong
Alumni:
Postdoctoral Scholar:
1. Dr. Seungtaek Lee (2020 Spring – 2022 Fall)
2. Dr. Hwi-Kyung Chun (2023 Fall – 2024 Spring), Samsung Electronics
PhDs:
1. Saba NIKKHAH MANESH, Ph.D. in CE (Joined August 2017; Graduated: August 2020), Principal Transportation Engineer at Parspms Cpr[pratopm
Ph.D. dissertation title: “TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF THE WAGE GAP FOR WOMEN AND UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES IN THE ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, AND CONSTRUCTION (AEC) WORKFORCE.”
Available at <https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/4016/>
2. Binit SHRESTHA, Ph.D. in CE (Joined 2016 Fall; Received MSCM at UNLV 2017 Dec.; Graduated: August 2021), Civil Designer at Taney Engineering
Ph.D. dissertation title: “Relationship between Standardization Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and Project Performance.”
Available at <https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/4265/>
3. Amrit Shahi, Ph.D. in CE (Joined in 2022 Fall; Graduated: 2025 Spring), Modularization and Standardization Program Manager at The Nuclear Company
Ph.D. dissertation title: “Investigating Decision Factors for Modularization and Standardization Decision on Early Project Phase: Qualitative Comparative Analysis.”
Available at <https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/5331/>
Masters:
1. Binit SHRESTHA, MSCM, Dec. 2017., Civil Designer at Taney Engineering Civil Engineering & Land Surveying
Master’s thesis: Shrestha, Binit Kumar, “An Investigation of Employment and Wage Distribution in the Construction Industry by Race/Ethnicity and Gender” (2017). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 3169.
Available at <https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/3169/>
2. Julian PRESTIA, MSCM, May 2018 (advisor: Neil Opfer), Electrical Estimator at Faithful + Gould
3. Sameeksha SAPKOTA, MSCE, Dec. 2018, Project Engineer at the WLB Group, Inc.
Master’s Thesis: Sapkota, Sameeksha, “Calculation of Access Charge for High Speed Rail XpressWest of Nevada” (2018). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 3452.
Available at <https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/3452/>
4. Shreyansh PALIWAL, MSCE, May 2019, CMT/CSD Department Manager at Universal Engineering Sciences
Master’s Thesis: Paliwal, Shreyansh, “Opportunities and Challenges of Modular Construction in a Hospitality Centric Environment” (2019). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 3658.
Available at <https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/3658/>
5. Rajarshi GHIMIRE, MSCE, Dec 2019, Civil Engineer at WSP
Master’s Thesis:
Ghimire, Rajarshi, “Examining the Effectiveness of a 4D Schedule and a Virtual Reality Model on a Modular Project: UNLV Solar Decathlon Case” (2019). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 3805.
Available at <https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/3805/>
6. Preetam KAPSIKAR, MSCE, May 2021, Project Manager at Universal Engineering Sciences
Master’s Thesis: Kapsikar, Preetam, “Geometric Quality Assessment of a Modular House using BIM and Photogrammetric Point Clouds” (2021). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 4157.
Available at <https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/4157/>
7. John BIVANS, MSCM, May 2021, Project Scheduler at W. A. Richardson Builders, LLC
Master’s Project Title: “Critical Quality Metrics Assessment in Successful Baseline Construction Scheduling”
8. Seung Ho SONG, MSCE, Dec. 2022, Ph.D. candidate at Korea University
Master’s Thesis:
Song, Seung Ho, “Measuring Impacts and Vibrations on a Volumetric Modular House During Transportation” (2022). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 4621.
https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/4621
9. Kyle KITHAS, MSCM, Dec. 2022, Digital Fabrication Lab Principal at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Master’s Thesis:
Kithas, Kyle A., “Developing a Hands-On Class Exercise for Modular Construction, 3D Design, and 4D Schedule” (2022). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 4596.
https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/4596
10. Bishal Poudel, MSCE, May 2023, Ph.D. student at Rutgers University
11. Sibgat Mehedi Hasan, MSCE, August 2024, Managing Director at CiviCon Ltd
Master’s Thesis:
Hasan, Sibgat Mehedi, “Investigating Productivity of Modular Buildings” (2024). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 5120.
https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/5120
12. Prachi Ahlawat, MSCM, December 2024, Project Engineering at CORE Construction
13. Carlos Reynoso, MSCM, 2025 Spring, Senior Project Engineer at Penta Building Group
14. Rutuja Karale, MSCIM, 2025 Spring, Assistant Project Manager at Harris
15. Vivek Shrestha, MSCE, 2026 Spring
Undergraduate Students:
1. Seung Ho SONG, BSE in Civil Engineering, May 2021, UNLV MSE student
Senior Design Project Title: “Developing an Integrated Monitoring System for a Volumetric Building Module Transportation.”
Available at <https://engineering930.wixsite.com/my-site?pgid=khvv8cmm-374c3544-d57e-41c8-8f21-f5685ea7adca>
Visiting Faculty:
1. Prof. Hyunsu LIM, Associate Professor, Soonchunhyang University (2025-2026)
International Interns:
1. Hakseung LEE, Pukyong National University, 2018 Summer
2. Rayane CAMARA, SNCF RESEAU, 2018 Summer/Fall
3. Olivia GASPARINI, CESI in Angoulême, 2019 Summer/Fall
4. Chaeyeong Bang, Soongsil University, 2024 Fall
Other Funded Students:
1. William HARRIS, Ph.D. student in CE (Advisor: Dr. Shrestha) – Supported Dr. Choi’s funded research project on “A Pilot Investigation of Enhanced Infrastructure Resilience Against Flooding Through a Modular Construction Method.”
