Shuai Li

Associate Professor

Biography

Shuai Li is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, a joint faculty of mechanical, aerospace, and biomedical engineering, and an affiliated faculty at the Institute for a Secure & Sustainable Environment, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He graduated from Purdue University with a PhD degree in civil engineering, and three master's degrees in construction engineering and management, industrial engineering, and economics. He also holds two bachelor’s degrees in hydroelectric engineering and project management from Tianjin University.

Li conducts convergence use-inspired research to advance AI-enabled, human-centric, and digital twin-based cyber-physical systems to transform the paradigms in construction, manufacturing, infrastructure system operation, community and city management, and healthcare. Li’s research has been supported by National Science Foundation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, United States Geological Survey, and leading information technology companies.

Li has received multiple professional awards including Chancellor's Award for Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement Award, David Goodpasture Endowed Faculty Award, Tickle College of Engineering Professional Promise in Research Award, and Success in Multidisciplinary Research Award from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Collingwood Prize from American Society of Civil Engineers, Best Paper Award from the Journal of Building and Environment, and Outstanding Reviewer Recognition for the Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering.

Research

• AI-enabled, human-centric, and digital twin-based cyber-physical systems
• Human and environmental health
• Robotic construction and 3D printing
• Energy and decarbonization
• Future mobility in future communities

Education

PhD Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 2017

MS Economics, Purdue University, 2016

MS Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, 2015

MS Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 2014

BS Hydraulics and Hydroelectric Engineering, Tianjin University, 2012

BS Project Management, Tianjin University, 2012

Awards and Recognitions

• Chancellor's Award for Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement Award, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2023
• David Goodpasture Award, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2022
• Professional Promise in Research Award, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2021
• Success in Multidisciplinary Research, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2021
• Best Paper Award, Building and Environment, 2020
• Collingwood Prize, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2018
• Outstanding Reviewer, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 2017
• Marry Ann Zimmerman Innovation Award, Purdue University, 2017
• Pai Tao Yeh Fellowship, Purdue University, 2017
• Pai Tao Yeh Fellowship, Purdue University, 2015

Publications

Visit Li's Google Scholar profile for a complete list.