Dr. Pradeep K. Behera is an accomplished academic and professional in the field of civil engineering, specializing in water resources and urban water systems. He serves as the Associate Dean of Research and Professor & Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of the District of Columbia. His expertise spans stormwater management, climate change, and water resources engineering. Dr. Behera has also secured several research grants and has contributed extensively to the field through peer-reviewed publications and presentations. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and has held leadership roles in professional engineering societies.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, University of Toronto Master of Science in Irrigation & Hydraulics, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla, India Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla, India
Roles
Associate Dean of Research, School of Engineering and Applied Science, UDC, Professor & Chair, Civil Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, UDC, 2014-Present Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, UDC, 2005-13 Sr. Water Resources Engineer, BPC Group, Orlando, Florida, 2005 Sr. Water Resources Engineer, Clarifica Inc., Richmond Hill, Canada, 2002-04 Graduate Student, Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada, 1997-2001 Sr. Lecturer, NIT Rourkela, India, 1990-96
Courses Taught
Engineering Mechanics I Engineering Mechanics II Fluid Mechanics Hydrology and Hydraulics Water Resources Engineering Sr. Project in Civil Engineering Engineering Ethics and Professional Practice
Expertise
Professional Engineer, District of Columbia Professional Engineer, State of Maryland Board-Certified Professional, American Academy of Water Resources Engineering
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Water resources engineering; urban water systems; storm water management; climate change
Leadership
Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineering Treasurer, District of Columbia Society of Professional Engineers Past President, District of Columbia Society of Professional Engineers Past President, Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, Potomac Chapter
Impact
Selected Publications
Zhang, N., Behera P. K., & Williams, C. Solar radiation prediction based on particle swarm optimization and evolutionary algorithm using recurrent neural networks. Proceedings of the IEEE International Systems Conference.
Selected Presentations
Behera P. K. (2018). Can a senior capstone project course provide real-worold work experience?Third North American International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Washington, D.C.
Selected Grants
National Science Foundation. (2011). Game theory-based climate change impact analysis for the protection of critical infrastructure systems.
National Science Foundation. (2018). Integrating “risk and resilience” into undergraduate engineering education for workforce towards a hazard-resilient built environment.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2019). Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Space Technology & Applied Research at UDC.
National Science Foundation. (2019). STEM-business focused logistics and international trade (LIT) analytics.
National Science Foundation. (2021). STEM-business focused sustainable financial technology – Clean technology (Sustainable FinTech-CleanTech) at the University of the District of Columbia.
Recognitions
Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2023 Recipient, Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship for doctoral degree at the University of Toronto Canada, 1997-2001 Recipient, Canadian NSERC Industrial Research Fellowship for post-doctoral study at Clarifica, Inc, Richmond Hill, and Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada, 2002-03 Service Award, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, UDC, for Dedication to the Civil Engineering Program and as Advisor, 2008 Service Award, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, UDC, for Outstanding Contribution to the 2008 ABET Accreditation Visit for Civil Engineering, 2008
Invited Participations
Behera, P.K. (2012). Risk, uncertainty, and probabilistic approaches for watershed processes.World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Behera, P.K. (2011). Renewable energy and green communication.25th BEYA STEM Global Competitive Conference, Washington, D.C.
Behera, P.K. (2011). Flooding—A growing national and regional threat.American Water resources Association National Capital Region Section Seminar, Washington, D.C.
