Research Group

Thomas Robbins, BSCE EIT, 

Thomas graduated from Boise State University in May of 2017 with a BS in Civil Engineering and a minor in applied mathematics.  Based on his undergraduate senior design project on the slope stability of a tailings dam after a seismic event, Thomas published an article in a conference organized by Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) in Sep. 2017, which won the best student paper award. His current research focusses on developing a framework that unifies sustainability, resiliency, and risk assessments for civil infrastructure, with an emphasis in geotechnical engineering.

Currently holding the position of Vice President for the Tau Beta Pi Alumni chapter in the Boise area, as well the treasurer for the ASCE student club at Boise State. Prior to pursuing his degree in civil engineering, Thomas served in the United States Marine Corps, from 2003 to 2010, obtaining the rank of Sergeant. Thomas deployed three times with the Marine Corps, two combat and one humanitarian. Thomas is an active individual who enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, riding motorcycles, swimming, biking, and camping.

Amit Gajurel, BSCE

Amit Gajurel received his bachelor’s degree from Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 2014. After his undergraduate work, he worked at Shah Consult International- consulting design firm specialized in geotechnical and structures. He also worked as a teaching assistant at Dept. of Civil and Geomatic Engineering, Kathmandu University. His research interests are chemical stabilization, soil structure interaction and constitutive modeling.

He is currently working on developing Guidelines for Stabilizing Problematic Soils using Calcium-Based Stabilizer for Montana Department of Transportation. The research project aims to establish protocols for conducting efficient chemical stabilization of problematic soil with/without soluble sulfates, which are native to the State of Montana. The focus of this research is to propose methods for moisture curing and conditioning of treated soils and evaluate their short-term and long-term stability.

Md. Touhidul Islam, BSCE EIT,

Md Touhidul Islam is from Bangladesh and joined Boise State University in Spring 2016. He obtained his BS in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 2013. After his graduation, Touhid worked in a multi-regional project titled “Development and Application of Potentially Important Jute Geotextiles” funded by Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), Government of India, and Government of Bangladesh. The purpose of this project was to implement the jute geotextiles, a sustainable and eco-friendly product for stabilizing soils. He assisted in preparing the standard document entitled as “Bangladesh Standard: Specification for Jute Geotextiles” which included the design and construction of jute geotextiles in rural road construction, riverbank protection, and hillslope management.

After joining at Boise State University, he worked on a project which focuses on Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) technique on expansive soils using biostimulation. Touhid was honored to receive “Civil Engineering” award for his poster presentation from Graduate Student Showcase Ceremony held at Boise State University. In Summer 2018, he successfully defended his Master’s thesis “Studying the Applicability of Biostimulated Calcite Precipitation in Stabilizing Clayey Soils”. He was also involved in the WIDER PERSIST partner project that focuses on changing educational practices in civil engineering department by adopting Evidence-Based Instructional Practice. His hobbies include: traveling, reading books, watching movies and hanging out with friends.

Tasria Rahman, BSCE

Tasria Rahman joined Boise State University in Spring 2016. She is from Bangladesh. She obtained her BS in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). After her graduation, she worked as a research assistant on a project titled “Research Study on Storage and Recharge Potential of Rainwater in Dhaka City to Promote Ideal Practice of Rainwater Harvesting System in Urban Areas” at International Training Network-ITN-BUET before coming to the US for her graduate degree. Her research primarily focuses in the area of stabilization of expansive soils with Microbial Induced Calcite precipitation technique.

Mir Md. Tamim, BSCE

Mir Md. Tamim joined Boise State University in Fall 2015. He received his bachelor’s degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2012. After his graduation, he worked as a Lecturer in Southern University Bangladesh from 2012 to 2014. In 2014, he joined as Assistant Engineer in Public works Department (PWD) under The People’s Republic of Bangladesh and worked more than one year before coming to the USA for his graduate degree.

His research primarily focused on Rehabilitation Approaches of Flexible Pavements over Expansive Subgrades using Geosynthetic Systems. He is expected to finish his MS degree in Fall 2017. He successfully completed “Key 19112, US-95, Elephant Butte Swelling Clay: Phase 2: Numerical Modeling of Alternate Sections” project for Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) under the kind supervision of Dr. Chittoori. He is a member of ASCE and The Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh. He passed his FE exam on August 2016. He also worked with Cartwright Engineers as an Intern in Summer 2017 and Fall 2017.

Sikha Neupane, MSCE, E.I.T.

Sikha joined the research group in Spring of 2014. Her research focused on the application of a novel stabilization method to expansive soil treatment. This method is known as Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) and uses the bacteria present in the soil to precipitate calcite and bind soil particles together.

Hanna Irving

My name is Hanna Irving. I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. I’m majoring with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and an emphasis in Secondary Education. I also volunteer with Lions Club International. Lions are best known for their efforts to eradicate preventable blindness, but also participate in many other kinds of projects to improve the community around them. In my spare time, I love spending time with my friends and family. Anything outdoors, I love to be involved in, and I’m a total sports fanatic. I love traveling to new places. I am working on a project that focusses on improving computational thinking in middle-school children through 8-week project-based learning modules on aspects of civil engineering.

Austin Berry

I am a junior at Boise State University. I was born and raised in a small, rural town in northeastern Idaho called Salmon.  I will be completing my first full year in the Civil Engineering program this coming fall semester. I am currently working under Dr. Chittoori as an undergraduate researcher, working on a project for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). The purpose of this project is to create protocols for chemically stabilizing problematic soils with or without soluble sulfates. Another aspect of this project is proposing methods for evaluation of the durability of selected stabilizers.

Paris Colton

Macie Larranaga

Adam Raibley

Melissa Hancock

Connor Asmus

Trenton Buster

Daniel Richardson

Ben Rowett

Haider Malik

Eva Pantha

Richie Chikonde

Andrew White