“We are not thinking machines that feel;

rather, we are feeling machines that think”.

Antonio Damasio

Antonio Damasio claims that the famous quote once coined by Descartes: "I think, therefore I am" overlooks a person’s emotions and their true being. As a professor, I take Damasio’s thoughts very seriously, and I do not dissociate my students’ feelings from their performance in class.

I understand that no one can learn properly if they feel unwell. Therefore, one of the pillars of my teaching philosophy consists of providing a low-stress environment.

Here are some strategies I use:

  • My syllabi are comprehensive: we tend to fear the unknown! Detailed syllabi make students know, in advance, what is expected from them and what to expect from me. Just follow the rules and relax!

  • My assignments are low-stake: high-stake assignments tend to make students anxious and may encourage cheating (have you read Freakonomics?). Multiple low-stake tests, on the other hand, allow for motivation and for constant improvement!

  • I call each of my students by their preferred name: good professors tend to be those who care about us! Not even knowing a student’s name may make them feel unwelcome and worthless. Simply doing so may help them feel valued, included, and confident!

  • All questions and comments are welcome: Intimidating environments might discourage some students asking questions and participating in class. I do my best to make my students feel comfortable in the classroom, but I also provide them with several opportunities to come to my office, and to give me feedback by writing, on their assignments. You may see some of my students’ comments in this webpage!

  • I acknowledge my students’ work: Dan Ariely, a psychologist who does research on behavioral economics, has demonstrated through several fascinating experiments, that acknowledging is critical to motivation and productivity! Here is what I try to do in this regard: (1) I review my students work, so they know that I care; (2) I give them proper feedback; and I tell them “great job!”, when they at least try to do well in class!

My Teaching Experience:

Assistant Teaching Professor at University of Washington, Tacoma, WA [to start in Sep 2023]

LECTURER:

  • Construction Engineering (TCE 307): Fall 2023

  • Engineering Project Management (TCE 401): Fall 2023

Visiting Assistant Professor at Lafayette College, Easton, PA [Jan 2021 – Dec 2022]

LECTURER:

  • Statics (ES 226): Spring 2021

  • Project Management (CE 331): Spring 2021/Fall 2021/22

  • Green Buildings (ES 101): Fall 2021/22

  • Surveying Lab (CE 271): Fall 2021

  • Construction Management (CE 431): Spring 2022

  • Planning the Built Environment (EGRS 274): Spring 2022

GUEST SPEAKER:

  • Sustainable Finance – ECON 214 Economics Department, for Dr. Steven Swidler: Spring 2022

  • Envisioning a Sustainable World – CE 203 Civil Eng. Department, for Dr. Leena Shevade: Spring 2022

  • Sustainable Building Design – ME 374 Mechanical Eng. Department, for Dr. Amy Van Asselt: Spring 2022

  • Sustainable Building Design – ME 374 Mechanical Eng. Department, for Dr. Amy Van Asselt (Spring 2021)

  • Sustainability in Europe – For the International Students Association, International Education Week (Fall 2021)

  • Sustainable Buildings – Remote talk for Architecture students of Faculdade Damas, Brazil (Fall 2021)

  • ES 101 – For Dr. Leena Shevade / Dr. Dan Huang: Spring 2023

Graduate Research Assistant at Lamar University, Beaumont, TX [Jun 2017 – Aug 2020]

LECTURER:

  • Sustainability: Green Engineering – CVEN 5334 graduate level course, 100% remote (Summer 2020)

TEACHING ASSISTANT (TA):

  • Intro to Environmental Engineering - CVEN 3310/3311 (keeping track of grades records)

  • Reinforced Concrete Design - CVEN 4380 (lecturing one single class, grading, keeping track of grades records)

  • Structural Steel Design - CVEN 4390 (grading, keeping track of grades records)

  • Sustainability: Green Engineering - CVEN 5334 (lecturing one single class, grading, keeping track of grades records)

  • Life Cycle Assessment (keeping track of grades records)

GUEST SPEAKER:

  • Interdisciplinarity in the Architectural Field – Faculdade Damas, Brazil – Remote (September 2020)

  • Pervious Concrete and Sustainable Technologies – E!TA Week, ESUDA, Brazil – Remote (November 2017)

Graduate Research Assistant at University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil [Mar 2015 – Feb 2017]

GUEST SPEAKER:

  • Structural Systems – FAVIP, Brazil – In Person (February 2017)

  • Pervious Concrete and my Experience in Seattle – ESUDA, Brazil – In Person (April 2016)