Education

Academic Degrees

• Doctor of Philosophy – PhD, Civil Engineering (Geotechnical and Materials), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), United States, 2022-Ongoing
• Master of Science - MS, Road and Transportation Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Iran, 2016-2019
• Bachelor of Science - BS, Civil Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM), Iran, 2011-2016

Employment History

• Graduate Research Assistant, University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL), Nebraska, USA, Jan 2022, Present
• Full time Intern, Pavement Design Engineer, Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), Nebraska, USA,  May 2025, August 2025
• Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL), Nebraska, USA, Jan 2024, May 2024
• R&D researcher, Transportation Research Institute (TRI), Tehran, Iran, Oct 2018 – Oct 2019

Area of Research and Professional Interest

• Aging-informed design optimization of recycled asphalt mixtures
• Numerical and experimental investigation of cracking in asphalt mixtures
• Local development and calibration of balanced mix design (BMD) methodology
• WMA technology in rubberized asphalt mixtures and binders
• Sustainable geopolymer-based coating layers for concrete

Research Experience 

• Development of a mechanistic approach to optimize the use of RAP in asphalt mixtures. University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL),  Feb 2024 – present
• Nebraska Balanced Mix Design – Phase 1 and 2:Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), Jan 2022 – May 2025
• Asphalt Binder Laboratory Short-term Aging – Phase 2:Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), Jan 2022 – Dec 2024
• Geotechnical project: Slope stability design, along with determining subsurface conditions for unsaturated soils. Advanced soil mechanics course,  Jan 2024 – May 2024
• Combined Usage of WMA Technology and Rubber Modifier in Asphalt Mix Design, Asphalt Mixtures and Bitumen Research Center (ABRC), Tehran, Iran.  Oct 2017- Jul 2020
• Evaluation of the strength and durability of alkali-activated and
  Cement-based mortars for concrete protection in a marine environment, Asphalt Mixtures and Bitumen Research Center (ABRC),Tehran, Iran, Jul 2018 - Dec 2018

Teaching Experience 

• Graduate Teaching Assistant, CIVE 378 (Materials of Construction) University of Nebraska Lincoln,  Jan 2024 - May 2024

Selected Publications

• Yazdipanah F., Khedmati M., Rea R., Teixeira J., Haghshenas H.F., “Development of a Balanced Mix Performance Framework for Assessing High-Recycled Asphalt Mixtures’ resistance: A study Integrating Laboratory and Field Findings”. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 1-20, (2025).(https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2025.2465577)
• Yazdipanah F., Ahmad M., Teixeira J., Khedmati M., Haghshenas H.F., “Developing a Short-Term Aging Protocol for Warm Mix Asphalt Binders: A Study Integrating Laboratory and Field Findings”. Transportation Research Record (2025).
• Bastola N., Khedmati M., Yazdipanah F., Haghshenas H.F., “Investigating the Field Performance of High-Recycled Asphalt Pavement Mixtures with Bio-Based Recycling Agent”. Transportation Research Record (2024). (https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981241236189)
• Yazdipanah F., Ameri M., Shahri M., Hasheminejad N., Haghshenas H.F., “Laboratory investigation and statistical analysis of the rutting and fatigue resistance of asphalt mixtures containing crumb-rubber and wax-based warm mix asphalt additive”. Construction and Building Materials 309, 125165 (2021).(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125165)
• Lashkari S., Yazdipanah F., Shahri M., Sarker PK. “Mechanical and durability assessment of cement-based and alkali-activated coating mortars in an aggressive marine environment”. SN Applied Sciences 3, 618 (2021).(https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04602-8).
• Ameri M., Yazdipanah F., Rahimi A., Afshin A. “Production temperatures and mechanical performance of rubberized asphalt mixtures modified with two warm mix asphalt (WMA) additives”. Materials and Structures (2020). (https:/doi.org/10.1617/s11527-020-01542-4)
• Ameri M., Afshin A, Ebrahimzade M, Yazdipanah F. “Effect of wax-based warm mix additives on fatigue and rutting performance of crumb rubber modified binders”. Construction and Building Materials 262, 120882 (2020).(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120882).

Selected Presentations

• Presentation at ASCE T&DI 2025, international airfield & highway pavements conference, Glendale, Arizona,  Jun 2025
• Presentation at Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) 2025 conference, Irvine, California, United States, May 2025
• Presentation and sub-committee speech at 104^th transportation research board (TRB) annual meeting. Washington DC, United States,  Jan 2025
• Presentation at 102^nd and 103^rd transportation research board (TRB) annual meeting, Washington DC, United States,  Jan 2023 and Jan 2024                                                                               
• Moderator at the Nebraska Asphalt Paving Conference/Technical Workshop, Kearney, Nebraska, United States,  Feb 2022 and Feb 2024
• Poster presenter at Geo-Omaha 41^st geotechnical conference, ASCE Nebraska section annual meeting, Omaha, Nebraska, United States, Feb 2024

Service

· Reviewer: Journal of Advances in Civil Engineering, Journal of Transportation Research Board, AM3P 2025 conference, Aug 2023- Present

· Graduate student member, CEE diversity committee, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, Aug 2024-Present

· Student member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Sep 2023-Present

· Mentorship of undergraduate students for Symposium of Sustainable Materials for Construction, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, United States, Apr 2024 and Apr 2025

· COE recruitment/outreach events for Fall 2023 (ENGR 10 open house – Lincoln), Oct 2024

· Bright Lights outreach Activity, Jul 2024

· MATC Sovereign Native Youth STEM Leadership Academy Summer 2023, Jul 2023

· Program Manager, Iranian Student Organization, University of Nebraska LincolnLincoln, Nebraska, May 2022- May 2023

Honors and Awards

· 2025 Bill and Shireen Kirk Scholarship National Award, Asphalt Institute Foundation, Inc.

· Dean’s Fellowship Award for the 2025-2026 academic year, University of Nebraska Lincoln.

· James O. Jirsa Graduate Award.

· College of Engineering 2025 Professional Development Fellowship Award.