Bio

Dr. Najafi is a UF professor in the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering. He has published and presented more than 300 refereed publications nationally and internationally. He has received numerous awards: a Senior Fulbright Scholar, teaching, and best paper awards. He specializes in transportation planning, construction management, legal aspects, and renewable energy.

Education

• Ph.D., Civil Engineering (Transportation Engineering and Planning), Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (1977) 
• MS, Civil Engineering (Transportation Planning), Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (1972)  
• BS, Architectural Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (1970) 
• BS, Civil Engineering, American College of Engineering, University of Kabul, Afghanistan (1963)  

Research Areas and Interests:

• Diversified Civil Engineering research, Engineering Education research, Materials & Pavements, New Infrastructure Planning and Management, Sustainable Construction Engineering, Waste Water Management Systems research.
• Renewable Energy (e.g., Solar, Wind, Geothermal Energy, etc.), Transportation Planning and Engineering, and Public Works.

Significant Contributions to Science and Engineering

• Control of Radon in Florida houses
• Oil Spill Contingency Plan
• Renewable Energy Research: Extensive research has been conducted in renewable energy sectors, including Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Biomass, Dam, and Ocean Tidal Waves.
• Solar Feed-In-Tariff Study: Najafi’s published work on Feed-In Tariff implementation in Gainesville, Florida, is widely referenced in renewable energy research.
• Urban Traffic Management: A computerized technique developed for improving signalized urban intersections.
• High-Speed Rail vs. Maglev: Comparative studies have been done between High-Speed Rail and Maglev transportation systems.
• Work Zone Safety: Significant strides in researching work zone safety.
• Stormwater Infrastructure Guidelines: New environmental best practices for stormwater management and design.
• Pole Relocation Procedures: Step-by-step procedures and guidelines for pole relocation.
• Utility Tort Cases: Completed research on indemnification and uses of public right-of-way.
• STEP UP Retention Success Model:  The STEP UP program for student retention success model at the University of Florida.
• STEP UP Research Publications: Guided step-up freshman engineering students to publish their papers in journals.
• Cost-effectiveness for urban intersection improvement.
• In-situ Pipe Repair
• Flowable fill research
• Bridge Management Systems research
• Hazardous pole relocation
• Stormwater Management design systems
• Signalized Intersection Improvement research
• Oil spill Mitigation research
• Feeder Bus Service for downtown people mover
• Placement of the fiberoptic telecommunication system research

Awards & Distinctions

• Solar Roadways Award, ASCE Annual, 2015
• First annual E4 Lecturer of the Year award, 2012
• Best Paper Award, 2011 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), 2011
• Paper Award, University of Athens, Athens, Greece, July 2009
• Teacher of great influence recognition, 2005, Fall Academic Convocation faculty honoree, UF
• Awarded “Work of Heart Award” in appreciation for Outstanding Volunteer Service benefiting the local community, Gainesville, FL, May 2004.

Professional Society Memberships

• American Public Works Association (APWA)
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
• American Society for Engineering Education-Southeastern Section (ASEE-SE)
• Member, International Road Federation (IRF)
• Transportation Research Board (TRB)
• Member, Tau Beta Pi, Florida Alpha Chapter
• Chief Marshall for the New Student Convocation, College of Engineering, UF
• Member, College of Engineering Faculty Recognition & Awards Committee

Refereed Journal Publications in

• Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), Transportation Research Record, National Academies, National Research Council (NRC)
• Journal of STEM Education
• International Journal of Pavement Management
• Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering
• Journal of Health Physics
• The Radiation Protection Journal
• Journal of Environmental Systems
• Journal of the STAR Research
• The Logistics and Transportation Review
• Journal of the Transportation Research Forum
• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
• Regional Studies, London, England
• International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
• American Society for Engineering Education and Exposition (ASEE), ASEE, Annual Conference
• The Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council
• ASEE-SE Annual Conference
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Florida Section Annual Conference
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Journal of Energy Engineering