We would like to congratulate Ahmad Abu Sharea for his recent patent disclosure! Ahmad is a 2021 Construction Science alumnus whose patent application is currently under review. The design is a new shape of steel section that will be embedded in concrete to form a concrete-steel composite column. The steel section is a lighter weight than the conventional steel I section that is generally used in the United States. According to Ahmad’s theoretical analysis, his proposed steel section has a similar or higher compressive strength compared to the steel I section.
“I’m excited to see where my patent will lead the research community and whether it’ll be sustainable and economical for designers and contractors in the construction industry,” said Ahmad Abu Sharea.
Currently, Ahmad is preparing for his PE exam to become a licensed engineer and is looking for PhD opportunities to continue his research. He hopes to conduct experiments in his PhD studies to find out if his theoretical results align with his experimental results.
Featured Image: Ahmad Abu Sharea (center) with his colleagues.
Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to recognize Petya Stefanoff, who is pursuing her doctorate in the Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) program, has been appointed the new role of Director of Community Development for the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma. She joined the city in 2024.
Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Design and director of the Institute for Quality Communities, has received national recognition for her book Model Schools in the Model City. The book has been named a finalist for the 2026 the PROSE Awards.
Gibbs College of Architecture Regional + City Planning Professor of Practice Vanessa Morrison and Associate Professor of Architecture Deborah Richards’ Open Design Collective received top honors at the inaugural BlackSpace Urbanist Collective Studio KIN Pitch Night Competition, held last month in Brooklyn, New York City.
