Who is Egemen Okte?

Hello everyone! My name is Egemen Okte, pronounced Egg-eh-men Oak-teh.

I am an assistant professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst. I earned my PhD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2022, following my undergraduate studies at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.

Our research focuses on improving the sustainability, performance, and management of transportation infrastructure, particularly pavements. We approach sustainability from a triple-bottom-line perspective, exploring how environmental, economic, and social impacts can be quantified and incorporated into engineering decisions.

We also explore applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to predict and manage infrastructure performance, by combining engineering knowledge with data-driven approaches. Another area of interest is the interaction between emerging technologies, such as connected/autonomous vehicles, and transportation infrastructure.

Beyond research, I enjoy teaching and mentoring students, helping them develop the technical skills, critical thinking, and independence to become successful engineers and researchers. As a sidenote, I also coach the UMass Club Water Polo team!

On this website, you will find highlights of our research, publications, projects, and other resources, along with links to my professional profiles. If you are interested in our research, potential collaborations, or graduate research opportunities, please feel free to reach out. I am always happy to discuss new ideas and opportunities!