Yewande Abraham Headshot

Yewande Abraham

Associate Professor

Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety
College of Engineering Technology
ysaite@rit.edu
585-475-6214
Office Location
ENT-3157

Yewande Abraham

Associate Professor

Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety
College of Engineering Technology

Education

BS, MS, Cardiff University (United Kingdom); Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Bio

Dr. Yewande Abraham is an Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering and Construction Management at the Department of Civil Engineering Technology Environmental Management and Safety (CETEMS) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional in building operations and maintenance and an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). She joined RIT in 2018, prior to that, she received her Bachelor's and Master's in Civil Engineering from Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom and completed her Ph.D. in Architectural Engineering (Construction option) at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. She has industry and research experience in the construction industry in the US and internationally.

Dr. Abraham’s research interests are in sustainable built environments, occupant comfort, and indoor environmental quality. She also conducts research in civil engineering and construction education focusing on learning styles, curriculum development, and increasing interest of underrepresented groups in STEM fields. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in introduction to civil engineering, construction scheduling, planning and control, principles of construction leadership and management, and sustainable building construction and design.  

ysaite@rit.edu
585-475-6214

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Ogunseiju, Omobolanle Ruth, et al. "Automated detection of learning stages and interaction difficulty from eye-tracking data within a mixed reality learning environment." Smart and sustainable built environment 13. 6 (2024): 1473-1489. Web.
Celik, Bilge Gokhan, Yewande Sonayon Abraham, and Mohsen Attaran. "Unlocking Blockchain in Construction: A Systematic Review of Applications and Barriers." Buildings 14. 6 (2024): 1600. Web.
Greenwood, Lisa L, et al. "Capacity Building for Organizational Resilience: Integrating Standards on Risk, Disruption, and Continuity in the Curriculum." International Journal on Social and Education Sciences (IJonSES) 5. 2 (2023): 327-340. Web.
Belcher, Ethan J and Yewande S Abraham. "Lifecycle Applications of Building Information Modeling for Transportation Infrastructure Projects." Buildings 13. 9 (2023): 2300. Web.
Greenwood, Lisa L, et al. "Partnering for Climate Resilience: Exploring the Maturity of Private-Sector Efforts in the Great Lakes Region." Sustainability 15. (2023): 14105. Web.
Olayiwola, Johnson, et al. "Efficacy of Annotated Video-Based Learning Environment for Drawing Students’ Attention to Construction Practice Concepts." ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management 150. 1 (2023): 4023155. Web.
Ilatova, Esther, Yewande S Abraham, and Bilge Gokhan Celik. "Exploring the Early Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Construction Industry in New York State." Architecture 2. 3 (2022): 457-475. Web.
Abraham, Yewande, et al. "Sustainable Building without Certification: An Exploration of Implications and Trends." Journal of Sustainability Research 4. 2 (2022): 1-20. Web.
Abraham, Yewande S, et al. "Assessing the Effectiveness of Virtual Workshops with Active Learning Approaches in Construction Education." International Journal of Engineering Education 38. 5(B) (2022): 1562-1576. Print.
Afolabi, Adedeji Olushola, Yewande S Abraham, and Oluwafikunmi Awosika. "Web-based Material Requisition System in the Supply Chain of Construction Businesses." International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE) 11. 2 (2021): 1531-1538. Web.
Amaral, Rosaria EC, et al. "Waste Management and Operational Energy for Sustainable Buildings: A Review." Sustainability 12. 13 (2020): 5337. Web.
Amaral, Rosaria EC and Yewande S Abraham. "Feasibility of a Sustainable Infrastructure Rating System Framework in a Developing Country." Journal of Infrastructure Development 12. 2 (2020): 91-104. Web.
Published Conference Proceedings
Mogaji, Iseoluwa Joanna, et al. "Drivers Influencing the Adoption of Innovative Building Materials (IBM) for Sustainable Construction in Nigeria." Proceedings of the Human Factors in Design, Engineering, and Computing. Ed. Tareq Ahram and Waldemar Karwowski. Honolulu, Hawaii: AHFE International, 2024. Web.
Greenwood, Lisa L, et al. "Preparing the Engineers of Tomorrow: Standards Education for Infrastructure Improvement and Resilience." Proceedings of the 2024 ASEE St. Lawrence Section Annual Conference. Ed. Editor. Toronto, Canada: American Society for Engineering Education, 2024. Web.
Miller, Don and Yewande Sonayon Abraham. "COVID-19 Impacts on Construction Project Execution: Case Studies of Data Center Projects." Proceedings of the ASCE Construction Research Congress 2024. Ed. Jennifer S. Shane, et al. Des Moines, Iowa: American Society of Civil Engineers, 2024. Web.
Rice, Paige, Yewande S Abraham, and Sagata Bhawani. "Enhancing Sustainability in the Built Environment Through the Use of Digital Technologies: Case Study of a Construction Firm." Proceedings of the 2023 ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE). Ed. Yelda Turkan, et al. Corvallis, OR: ASCE, 2023. Web.
Gupta, Prajjwal, Yewande Abraham, and Bilge Gokhan Celik. "Investigating the Trends in the Adoption and Implementation of Sustainable Building Rating Systems: A Critical Analysis of the LEED Rating System." Proceedings of the 2023 ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE). Ed. Yelda Turkan, et al. Corvallis, OR: ASCE, 2023. Web.
Abraham, Yewande and Amanda Bao. "Implementing the Engineering for One Planet Framework in a Civil Engineering Technology Program." Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference. Ed. N/A. Baltimore, MD: ASEE, 2023. Web.
Spaan, Max and Yewande Abraham. "Barriers to and Enablers of Affordable Housing Construction: Insights from Construction Industry Professionals." Proceedings of the 1st International Online Conference on Buildings. Ed. N/A. Online, Online: MDPI, 2023. Web.
Abraham, Yewande S, Paul Stanitz, and Rosaria E C Amaral. "Tracking Occupant Satisfaction for Improved Energy Efficiency in Campus Buildings." Proceedings of the American Society for Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers Indoor Air Quality (ASHRAE IAQ) Conference, 2021, Atlanta. Ed. ASHRAE. Atlanta, GA: n.p., 2021. Web.
Gomez, Jonathan, Bilge Gokhan Celik, and Yewande S Abraham. "Employers’ Perception of Student Employability in the Construction Management Industry using Resume Analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process." Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference, June 26-29, 2022, Minneapolis. Ed. ASEE. Minneapolis, MN: ASEE, Web.
Abraham, Yewande S, et al. "Sustainability in Affordable Housing: Trends and Opportunities for Connected Communities." Proceedings of the 2021 ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE). Ed. ASCE. Florida, US: ASCE, 2022. Web.
Abraham, Yewande S, et al. "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Extracurricular Online Workshops on Student Learning in Construction." Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Construction Research Congress, March 9-12, 2022, Virginia. Ed. ASCE. Virginia, US: ASCE, 2022. Web.
Greenwood, Lisa, et al. "Capacity Building for Organizational Resilience: Integrating Standards on Risk, Disruption and Business Continuity in the Curriculum." Proceedings of the International Conference on Social and Education Sciences (IConSES). Ed. Mack Shelley, Valarie Akerson, and Ismail Sahin. Austin, TX: ISTES Organization, 2022. Web.
Abraham, Yewande S, et al. "Assessing the Effectiveness of Active-learning Approaches in Advancing Student Understanding of Construction Scheduling in a Virtual Environment." Proceedings of the American Society For Engineering Education Annual Conference, July 26-29, Virtual Meeting. Ed. N/A. Virtual Online, US: ASEE PEER, Web.
Abraham, Yewande Sonayon and Chimay J Anumba. "Identifying Operational Considerations for Sustainable and Resilient Building Systems." Proceedings of the Construction Research Congress 2020: Infrastructure Systems and Sustainability. Ed. Mounir El Asmar, Pingbo Tang, and David Grau. Rochester, United States: ASCE, 2020. Web.
Abraham, Yewande Sonayon. "Importance of Active Learning in an Undergraduate Course in Construction Scheduling." Proceedings of the 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference. Ed. N/A. Virtual Online, US: ASEE PEER, 2020. Web.
Andoh, Nana-Yaw, et al. "Sustainable Building without Certification: An Exploration of Trends and Implications." Proceedings of the 26th International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS) Conference. Ed. N/A. Budapest, Hungary: n.p., 2020. Web.
Abraham, Yewande Sonayon, Chimay J Anumba, and Somayeh Asadi. "Case Study on Energy Use and Indoor Environmental Quality in an Office Building." Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Sustainable Development in Building and Environment, (SuDBE) July, 22-28 2019 in Reading, UK. Ed. Stuart Green and Andrew Baldwin. Reading, UK: n.p., Print.
National/International Competition Award Winner
Spaan, Max and Yewande S. Abraham. The 1st International Online Conference on Buildings. Best Paper Award - Barriers to and Enablers of Affordable Housing Construction: Insights from Construction Industry Professionals. Virtual, Virtual, 2024.
Gomez, Jonathan, Bilge Gokhan Celik, and Yewande S Abraham. American Society for Engineering Education. Best Paper Award in Construction Engineering. Minneapolis, US, 2022.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Abraham, Yewande S. "Tracking Occupant Satisfaction for Improved Energy Efficiency in Campus Buildings." Indoor Air Quality (ASHRAE IAQ) Conference. American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Athens, Greece. 4 May 2022. Conference Presentation.
Andoh, Nana-Yaw, et al. "Sustainable Buildings without LEED Certification: Why is this Becoming a Preferred Trend?" 18th Annual New York State Green Building Conference. SUNY ESF. Syracuse, US. 20 Nov. 2020. Conference Presentation.
Andoh, Nana-Yaw, et al. "Sustainable Building without Certification: An Exploration of Trends and Implications." 26th International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS) Conference. ISDRS. Budapest, Hungary. 16 Jul. 2020. Conference Presentation.
Abraham, Yewande Sonayon. "Case Study on Energy Use and Indoor Environmental Quality in an Office Building." 9th International Conference on Sustainable Development in Building and Environment, (SuDBE) July, 22-28 2019. Rochester Institute of Technology. Rochester, NY. 24 Jul. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Crawford, Kijana, et al. "Mentoring Women: Faculty of Color in Predominantly White Institutions—A Fireside Chat." National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates (NAAAS) Regional Conference. St John Fisher and Nazareth College. Rochester, New York. 4 Oct. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Peer Reviewed/Juried Poster Presentation or Conference Paper
Abraham, Yewande Sonayon, Chimay J Anumba, and Somayeh Asadi. "Leveraging the Interaction between Humans and Building Systems for Enhanced Operation and Maintenance of Office Buildings." Proceedings of the 2019 ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering. Ed. Yong K. Cho, et al. Atlanta, Georgia: ASCE.
Abraham, Yewande Sonayon, Chimay J Anumba, and Somayeh Asadi. "Tracking Energy Performance for Improved Occupant Satisfaction in Offices." Proceedings of the Engineering Sustainability: A Climate for Change. Ed. Gena M. Kovalcik. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: n.p..
Abraham, Yewande S, et al. "Evolving Building Sustainability: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Framework for Buildings." Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Oct 2-5, 2018, Pittsburgh, PA USA. Ed. Meghan Fay Zahniser. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: n.p..

Currently Teaching

CONM-650
Transportation and Construction Leadership and Management
3 Credits
Introduction to leadership and management principles applicable to the construction industry including those associated with strategic planning, construction processes, communications, ethical behavior, human resources development, financial management, and risk management. There will be an emphasis on safety and loss prevention management, insurance and risk management, marketing construction services, and bonding requirements for construction companies.
CONM-690
Sustainable Building Design and Construction
3 Credits
Course material will focus on the design, engineering, and construction of sustainable buildings and how the construction manager guides the project team to meet the owner’s objectives of a sustainable facility. Students will explore the primary differences and similarities between the different green building rating systems. Students will critically assess and prepare written communications regarding the current and evolving practices, and potentials of sustainable building construction and design and prepare them with the skills to determine value-to-cost differences between “green” and conventional designs. Students may receive credit for this course or CVET-505, not both.
CONM-795
Comprehensive Examination
0 Credits
A written comprehensive exam is one of the non-thesis methodologies for completion of the MS degree. This course will provide a forum for independent review of the main concepts of the program core subject areas. The student will take a written examination at the conclusion of the course and must receive a passing grade of at least 80% to be successful. Students will have one additional opportunity to pass this examination if their initial attempt is unsuccessful.
CONM-797
Graduate Project
3 Credits
This course provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their capabilities developed through their course of study to design, develop and/or evaluate a Smart Cities, Transportation, and Construction Management related project culminating in a written report or manuscript and presentation.
CVET-180
Introduction to Civil Engineering
2 Credits
The objective of this course is to develop in the student an understanding of plans and drawings in civil engineering projects such as site development, structures, hydraulic structures, water and wastewater transport and treatment facilities, and transportation facilities. Students will also understand how related disciplines—architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering, and landscape architecture—are incorporated into construction drawings. Students develop an understanding of the technical and legal purpose of plans and how to assemble them.
CVET-464
Construction Planning, Scheduling and Control
3 Credits
This course covers planning, organization, scheduling, and control of construction projects. The components of construction project planning are examined. Students are exposed to and gain practice in using the Critical Path Method (CPM) in scheduling, Monte Carlo risk analysis and monitoring the progress of construction projects. Cost control and resource allocation/resource management are explored.

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