Syracuse Sun

Syracuse University has launched the Infrastructure Institute to tackle challenges in infrastructure maintenance, led by Director Min Liu, the Abdallah H. Yabroudi Endowed Professor in Sustainable Civil Infrastructure. The institute aims to develop talent, conduct research, and educate the public for a sustainable future.

“The biggest issues we see right now are public safety, the environmental impact of infrastructure and a long-term shortage of skilled laborers,” says Liu. “My vision for this institute is to build a platform to facilitate different people from different sections to work together.”

Liu holds a Ph.D. in engineering project management from the University of California, Berkeley (2007). She previously served as an assistant and later associate professor at North Carolina State University until 2022. Her research focused on construction engineering and management, utilizing empirical data and modeling programming to enhance productivity.

She collaborated with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Construction Industry Institute and chaired the ASCE Construction Research Council from 2020-21 before joining Syracuse University in 2022.

The Infrastructure Institute offers academic programs, research opportunities, internships for students, and educational programs for public officials and professionals. It collaborates with various professionals including IT experts, data analysts, architects, environmental design professionals, journalists, and business professionals.

Liu emphasizes creating a platform integrating three main pillars: public authorities providing direction and funding; universities educating students; and students becoming new entrants into public authorities and the construction industry. “These three sectors are crucial and it’s important they work together,” Liu says.

Liu has organized events such as a reception attended by nine departments at Syracuse University featuring lightning talks on future visions and ongoing research. This event also facilitated networking among attendees.

“With the support of the Office of Research and collaborating with the School of Architecture, the institute developed a request for proposal to encourage collaboration across SU campus to improve infrastructure policy based on the I-81 project,” says Liu.

Additionally, Liu taught a capstone course aimed at preparing students for roles in infrastructure project management.