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Tamim Adnan, PhD in Civil Engineering, 2026

Since childhood, I have viewed every challenge as an opportunity for growth. This mindset has guided me throughout my academic journey, bringing me to the final stage of my Ph.D. and shaping me into an independent researcher. I have always embraced obstacles with determination, perseverance, and a resilient attitude.

I am sincerely grateful to my advisor, Dr. Abdolmajid Erfani, for providing me the opportunity to be one of his first Ph.D. students. Under his dedicated mentorship, I have grown into an independent researcher, focusing on intelligent and autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) systems for infrastructure and transportation asset management as well as construction engineering. Together, we have conducted research that has resulted in several peer-reviewed publications and established a strong foundation for future contributions to the field. Overall, my doctoral studies at Michigan Tech have resulted in three published journal articles and three conference papers, with two additional journal manuscripts currently under review. These accomplishments are evidence of the effort, dedication, and perseverance that have shaped my research journey.

This journey officially began when I joined the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering at Michigan Technological University in Spring 2024. Moving from North Carolina after my Master’s, adapting to Michigan’s long winters, heavy snowfall, and limited daylight was initially daunting. There were countless late nights spent working in my office, often until two or three in the morning. I still fondly remember my roommate and his friends driving to campus late at night to ensure I got home safely. I also remain grateful to two of my closest friends; together, we drove countless miles, endured harsh winters, and even experienced the misfortune of breaking down two cars along the way. Yet, those shared challenges only strengthened our friendship and made my time at Michigan Tech even more meaningful. These experiences, alongside the incredible warmth of the Bangladeshi student community and many friends at Michigan Tech, made my journey unforgettable. Because of them, I rarely felt homesick and found a true home away from home.

Most importantly, I am deeply thankful to my family, whose unwavering encouragement, sacrifices, and unconditional belief in me have made this journey possible. Their support continually inspires me to pursue excellence, remain resilient, and maintain my passion for learning and discovery.

Finally, I am profoundly grateful to Michigan Technological University and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for awarding me the Fall 2026 Finishing Fellowship. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to my dissertation committee members and the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering for their continued guidance and support. This fellowship provides me with the invaluable opportunity to fully dedicate my efforts to completing my dissertation. Beyond its financial support, it represents a vote of confidence in my potential as a researcher and motivates me to continue pursuing impactful research that advances intelligent infrastructure systems to serve society. I am honored to receive this fellowship, and I look forward to building on this foundation as an independent researcher and future educator.