Dr. Sharmin Ara Sarna joined UAP in July 2023, contributing through her academic background, substantial research and professional expertise.

Her exposure to advanced geotechnical testing and investigations commenced right after completing her undergraduate studies at BUET. Following three years of professional experience, she pursued higher education and completed her M.Sc. from Kansas State University (KSU), in 2019. Subsequently, she finished her Ph.D. in May 2023 at Colorado School of Mines (CSM).

Her research endeavors were centered on the characterization of tunneling ground and the prediction of challenging geological conditions to enhance the efficiency of tunneling operations, both in soft soil and hard rock formations. She also used tunnel health monitoring data to forecast the long-term settlement conditions. During her master's program at KSU, she was involved in developing analytical and numerical models for heat exchanger piles. Additionally, she performed statistical analysis to detect pavement rutting conditions using subgrade CBR values.).

Before embarking on her higher education journey, Dr. Sharmin gained field experience as a Geotechnical Engineer at Prosoil Foundation Consultants. Over the course of three years, she actively contributed to subsoil investigations for several nationally important projects, including the MRT Line-1 and Line 6, the Dhaka-Chittagong Expressway, and the Western Bangladesh Bridge Improvement Project, funded by JICA, SMEC, and BRRL. 

Presently at UAP, Dr. Sarna's ongoing research endeavors center on investigating the impact of metro tunnels (MRTs) on the underground conditions of Dhaka subsoil. 

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS (Q1, Web of Science Indexed)

1. Sarna, S., & Gutierrez, M. (2025). Detecting soil mixing, grain size distribution, and clogging potential of tunnel excavation face by classification-regression algorithms using EPBM operational data. Underground Space, 20, 311-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.undsp.2024.06.007

2.  Sarna, S., Gutierrez, M., Mooney, M., & Zhu, M. (2022). Predicting Upcoming Collapse Incidents During Tunneling in Rocks with Continuation Length Based on Influence Zone. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 55(10), 5905-5931. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-02971-z

3. Zhu, M., Gutierrez, M., Zhu, H., Ju, J. W., & Sarna, S. (2021). Performance Evaluation Indicator (PEI): A new paradigm to evaluate the competence of machine learning classifiers in predicting rockmass conditions. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 47, 101232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2020.101232

4. Perić, D., Cossel, A. E., & Sarna, S. A. (2020). Analytical Solutions for Thermomechanical Soil Structure Interaction in End-Bearing Energy Piles. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 146(7), 04020047. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002269

BOOK CHAPTERS

1. Sarna¹, S., & Gutierrez, M. (2024). Their Behavior while Identifying Soil Types by SSL During EPBM Excavation. In Information Technology in Geo-Engineering: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Information Technology in Geo-Engineering ICITG 2024 (p. 359). Springer Nature.   https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-76528-5_36

2. Sarna, S., Gutierrez, M., & Zhu, M. (2023). Forecasting long term tunnel longitudinal settlement and horizontal convergence using machine learning techniques. In Expanding Underground Knowledge and Passion to Make a Positive Impact on the World (pp. 2885-2892). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003348030-348

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

1. Sarna, S., Sohel, M. H., Saikat, M. N., & Cruz, E. C. (2024). Analysis of potential differential settlement location for Metro Line 1, Dhaka. 7th International Conference on Advances in Civil Engineering (2024). https://icace2024.cuet.ac.bd/download/PROGRAMSCHEDULEFORICACE2024f.pdf

2. Sarna, S. A., Goh, G., & Perić, D. (2022). Identifying Acceptable California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Value for Kansas Subgrades Using Pavement Rutting Data. In Geo-Congress 2022 (pp. 333-342). https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/9780784484067.034

3. Perić, D., Sarna, S. A., & Cossel, A. E. (2020). Cross Validation of Computational Model Predictions against the Analytical Solutions for the Response of a Heat Exchanger Pile Subjected to Thermal Loading. In Geo-Congress 2020: Foundations, Soil Improvement, and Erosion (pp. 271-279). Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/9780784482780.026

4. Perić, D., Cossel, A., & Sarna, S. (2018). Analytical solution for thermally induced axial stress in an end bearing heat exchanger pile embedded in a homogeneous soil. In Proceedings of The 11th International Conference on Structural Integrity and Failure (p. 176). https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/files/49990692/SIF2018_Proceedings.pdf

5. Sarkar, K. H., Islam, M. S., Yasmin, T., & Sarna, S. A. (2015). Determination of unknown bridge foundation depths with parallel seismic (PS) systems. https://www.iabse-bd.org/session/8.pdf

6. Islam, M. S., Sarna, S. A., & Hasan, M (2015). Engineering properties of subsoil under 2nd Bhaiarb railway bridge & static pile load test by Osterberg cell at location P3. https://www.iabse-bd.org/session/7.pdf

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

1. Sarna, S. A., Gutierrez, M., Mooney, M. A., & Zhu, M. (2022). Early Prediction of Ground Collapses During Tunneling Operation Using Machine Learning Techniques (No. TRBAM-22-00163).

2. Sarna, S. A., Goh, G., & Perić, D. (2021). Determining an Acceptable California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Value for Kansas Subgrades Based on Pavement Rutting Data (No. TRBAM-21-02090).