Curriculum Vitae

Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
Jan 2024 – Present
Specialization: Construction Management
GPA: 3.85

Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Nepal
Dec 2016 – Oct 2021

Research Experience

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Wyoming
2024 – Present

• Investigate safety and regulatory challenges in nuclear and hydrogen energy infrastructure with implications for international energy transition and sustainability.
• Design and conduct experimental studies on cognitive workload and safety decision-making in construction environments.
• Collect and analyze multimodal physiological data (EEG, eye tracking) to quantify human performance.
• Perform 3D terrestrial laser scanning and point cloud processing for heritage documentation projects.
• Contribute to funded research proposals and co-author peer-reviewed journal publications.

Industry Experience

Project Engineer Intern, DCR Consulting & Engineering, Laramie, WY, USA
May 2025 – Sep 2025/July 2026 - Present

• Processed monthly pay applications and updated cost-loaded schedules to track project performance.
• Baseline schedule preparation.
• Generated weekly status reports for 15 projects using Procore (RFIs and submittals).
• Reviewed and corrected as-built drawings in AutoCAD and Civil 3D.

Civil Engineer, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Kathmandu, Nepal
Nov 2022 – Dec 2023

• Managed planning, estimating, and scheduling for three municipal projects totaling $50M.
• Inspected construction projects for compliance with approved designs and specifications.

Site Engineer, Ambuja Construction Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, Nepal
Sept 2021 – Oct 2022

• Conducted field surveys and prepared Bills of Quantities (BOQs) for tendering.
• Oversaw site activities and maintained project documentation.
• Presented monthly progress reports to stakeholders.

Publications

Analyzing Cognitive Dimensions of Construction Fatalities Based on OSHA Investigations

Pal, U. K., Zhang, C., & Timalsina, S. (2026). Analyzing Cognitive Dimensions of Construction Fatalities Based on OSHA Investigations. Journal of Safety Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2026.10.013

Evaluating the Applicability of ASTM Footwear Standards in Cold and Slippery Construction Environments

Pal, U. K., & Zhang, C. (2026). Evaluating the Applicability of ASTM Footwear Standards in Cold and Slippery Construction Environments. Sixth European Structural Engineering and Construction Conference (EURO SEC 6), ISEC Press. https://doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.2026.13(2).CSA-07

Identifying and Reducing Legal Issues in Construction Submittals through Case Law Analysis

Giri, M., Zhang, C., Pal, U. K., & Neupane, S. (2026). Identifying and Reducing Legal Issues in Construction Submittals through Case Law Analysis. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1594

Legal Risk Mitigation in Hydrogen Pipeline Transport through Corrective Action Order Analysis

Timalsina, S., Zhang, C., Pal, U. K., Neupane, S., & Giri, M. (2026). Legal Risk Mitigation in Hydrogen Pipeline Transport through Corrective Action Order Analysis. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1586

Quantifying reliability and uncertainty in hydrogen infrastructure through integrated incident analysis

Timalsina, S., Zhang, C., & Pal, U. K. (2026). Quantifying reliability and uncertainty in hydrogen infrastructure through integrated incident analysis. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 100, 105921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2026.105921

Phase-based safety review of Micro and small modular reactors from design to decommissioning

Pal, U. K., & Zhang, C. (2025). Phase-based safety review of Micro and small modular reactors from design to decommissioning. Safety Science, 188, 106882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106882

Neurophysiological Evaluation of Ethics Training for Improved Decision-Making and Legal Compliance in the Construction Industry

Liu, P., Pal, U. K., & Zhang, C. (2025). Neurophysiological Evaluation of Ethics Training for Improved Decision-Making and Legal Compliance in the Construction Industry. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 17(3), 04525039. https://doi.org/10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1333

Comparative Analysis of Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues in Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Deployment

Pal, U. K., Zhang, C., Timalsina, S., Quapp, U., & Li, H. (2025). Comparative Analysis of Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues in Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Deployment. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 17(3), 04525031. https://doi.org/10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1270

Developing a Construction Delay Prediction Model as a Delay-Avoidance Strategy for Public Construction Projects

Giri, M., Zhang, C., Olorunnishola, A., Hada, S., & Pal, U. K. (2025). Developing a Construction Delay Prediction Model as a Delay-Avoidance Strategy for Public Construction Projects. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 17(3), 04525027. https://doi.org/10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1276

Reducing Liability in Urban Work Zones by Quantifying Risks and Enhancing Layout Design and Regulations

Liu, P., Zhang, C., Pal, U. K., & Giri, M. (2025). Reducing Liability in Urban Work Zones by Quantifying Risks and Enhancing Layout Design and Regulations. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 17(3), 04525013. https://doi.org/10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1289

Selecting the best dispute resolution method with choosing by advantages approach

Akyildiz, Y. E., Sadikoğlu, E., Demirkesen, S., Sevilay, C., Turkoglu, H., Atilla, D., Besiktepe, D., & Pal, U. K. (2025). Selecting the best dispute resolution method with choosing by advantages approach. Journal of Construction Engineering, Management & Innovation, 8(4), 501–520. https://doi.org/10.31462/jcemi.2025.04501520

A Multi-Output Regression Approach to Predicting Gender-Centric Workplace Fatal Accidents.

Mahajan, D., Sadikoglu, E., Pal, U. K., Timalsina, S., Zhang, C., & Demirkesen, S. (2025). A Multi-Output Regression Approach to Predicting Gender-Centric Workplace Fatal Accidents. Journal of Engineering, Project, and Production Management, 15(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.32738/JEPPM-2025-0002

The Evolution of Construction 5.0: Challenges and Opportunities for the Construction Industry

Pal, U. K., Zhang, C., Haupt, T. C., Li, H., & Su, L. (2024). The Evolution of Construction 5.0: Challenges and Opportunities for the Construction Industry. Buildings, 14(12), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14124010

Talks

Why Promising Nuclear Technology Still Struggles to Break Ground

March 27, 2025

Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition at Three-Minute Thesis Competition, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA

Comparative Analysis of Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues in Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Deployment

February 28, 2025

Oral Presentation at Construction Institute Summit, Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Sustainable Nuclear Solutions: Safety Insights into SMRs and Microreactors

September 27, 2024

Poster Presentation (Honorable Mention) at Graduate Poster Symposium, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA

Sustainable Nuclear Solutions: Safety Insights into Micro and Small Modular Reactors

September 12, 2024

Poster Presentation at Wyoming’s Energy Future Symposium, Laramie, WY, USA

A Multi-Output Regression Approach to Predicting Gender-Centric Workplace Fatal Accidents

July 25, 2024

Oral Presentation at Construction Safety Conference, Lawrence, KS, USA

Professional Service

Peer Reviewer
2025 – Present

• Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction (ASCE): 12 manuscripts
• Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology (Emerald Publishing): 9 manuscripts
• Frontiers in Built Environment: 3 manuscripts
• Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence: 1 manuscripts
• Sixth European Structural Engineering and Construction Conference: 2 manuscripts

Grants and Scholarships

Awarded Grants (Co-PI)

• FY 2025 Engineering Initiative One-Time Funding, College of Engineering and Physical Science, University of Wyoming – $63,400 (2024)
  LiDAR-based transmission tower stability and anchor bolt integrity assessment for rural grid resilience

• Re-Storying the West Project, Department of English, University of Wyoming – $4,000 (2025)
  Digitally Preserving the Architectural Legacy of Fort Laramie National Historic Site

• 2025 Teaching and Research Grant, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming – $1,000 (2025)
  Preserving Fort Laramie’s Past Through Advanced 3D Documentation

Submitted Grant Proposals

• Conceptual Design of a Modular, Phased Mined Salt Repository for Long-Term Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel, DOE – Under Review (2026)
• Architectural Concepts for Consolidated Interim Storage Facility, DOE – Under Review (2025)
• Comprehensive Feasibility Study for Advanced Nuclear Energy Deployment in North Dakota, ND Legislative Management – Advanced to Presentation Round (2025)

Awards and Travel Scholarships

• ASTM International Project Grant (2024)
• CEPS Graduate Student Travel Support, University of Wyoming – $1,200 (2025)
• Graduate Student Travel Award, School of Graduate Education, University of Wyoming – $500 (2025)
• Graduate Student Travel Award, School of Graduate Education, University of Wyoming – $500 (2024)
• NASA EPSCoR Travel Grant, Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium – $250 (2024)

Undergraduate Scholarship

• Full Merit-Based Scholarship, Ministry of Education, Government of Nepal (2016)
  Institute of Engineering Entrance Exam – Rank 170 out of 13,000+ candidates

Leadership Experience

President, Friends of Nepal, University of Wyoming
Apr 2025 – Apr 2026

• Led executive board of 13 members and coordinated cultural and social programs for 70+ members.
• Organized “Celebrate Nepal,” an annual event with 400+ participants, managing a $12,000 budget.

Vice President, Friends of Nepal, University of Wyoming
Apr 2024 – Apr 2025

• Supported executive operations, event logistics, budgeting, and inter-organization coordination.

President, Civil Engineering Students’ Society-Nepal, 14th Committee
Dec 2019 – May 2021

• Led academic and research initiatives for undergraduate civil engineering students across Nepal.
• Organized the 11th National Civil Engineering Exhibition with 2000+ participants.
• Secured sponsorships and coordinated collaboration between industry professionals, faculty, and students.

Certifications and Licenses

• Registered Civil Engineer – Nepal Engineering Council (#28369, Civil “A” Category) (2021)
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety and Health (2024)
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate – Federal Aviation Administration (2025)
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License (Wyoming)

Professional Memberships (Student Member)

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• American Concrete Institute (ACI), National and Rocky Mountain Chapter
• Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), National and Colorado Chapter
• ASTM International