NCAT expands research capabilities with AI-focused faculty hire

The National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University welcomes Tianhao Yan as an assistant research professor, bringing a blend of expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), data science and pavement engineering to NCAT’s faculty and research team.  

Yan joins NCAT from the Federal Highway Administration’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Virginia, where he served as a National Research Council research fellow. In that role, his work focused on applying artificial intelligence and data science techniques to pavement engineering challenges. 
 
“Yan’s expertise in artificial intelligence and probabilistic modeling strengthens NCAT’s ability to explore the next generation of pavement research,” said Randy West, NCAT director. “As AI becomes more integrated into engineering practice, his work will help us continue delivering innovative and practical solutions for the transportation community and our partners.” 

Yan earned his doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where his research focused on mechanistic and probabilistic modeling of asphalt material performance, particularly cracking and compaction. He continued this work as a postdoctoral research associate, further advancing asphalt material characterization, mixture design, and performance modeling, before transitioning to his role at Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. 

“I am excited to collaborate with colleagues at NCAT and across Auburn University to explore interdisciplinary research opportunities to develop practical and innovative solutions for the pavement engineering community,” Yan said. 

Through this work, Yan will support the adoption of AI-driven technologies to improve efficiency and decision-making for transportation agencies and the asphalt industry. 

Established in 1986 through a partnership between Auburn University and the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s Research and Education Foundation, NCAT addresses the nation’s pavement infrastructure needs through practical research, technology development and education. The center’s work supports state departments of transportation, industry partners and agencies nationwide in advancing safe, durable and sustainable asphalt pavements. 

For more information about NCAT and its research programs, visit ncat.us.