Dr. Shokouhian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Morgan State University. He obtained his Ph.D. in structural engineering from Tsinghua University in 2015. Dr. Shokouhian specializes in conducting comprehensive research that integrates experimental and analytical approaches, focusing on innovative structural designs and high-performance materials. His impressive track record includes serving as a principal and co-principal investigator on multiple research projects funded by federal and state agencies, with a total funding exceeding $1.8 million. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to the academic community through the publication of over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers. Dr. Shokouhian's commitment to scholarly work is further demonstrated by his active involvement as an editorial board member and reviewer for more than 17 esteemed international and national refereed journals.
Stephen is currently supporting the growth and expansion of Skanska USA Civil East’s Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions by identifying market opportunities through meetings, networking and leveraging strong business relationships. Stephen has been instrumental in opening Skanska’s Mid-Atlantic office in the Metropolitan Washington region and has supported Skanska’s position on several contract awards including the $293M 1.7-mile Howard Street Tunnel Double Stack Project in Baltimore, MD. Additional projects include winning preconstruction phase contracts for the future $700M Long Bridge North Progressive Design-Build Project in Washington, DC, the $105M City of Alexandria Waterfront Implementation Progressive Design-Build Project in Alexandria, Virginia and the $500M North Carolina Department of Transportation Alligator River Bridge Replacement CM/GC Project in Tyrell County, North Carolina.
Prior roles within Skanska include the role of Project Sponsor and Pursuit Lead on the $463M two-mile long Potomac River crossing bridge called the Governor Harry Nice Bridge Replacement Design-Build Project (followed by Commercial Manager on the Design and Construction Phase) and the Design-Build Project Manager on Skanska’s 11th Street Corridor Design-Build Project in SE, Washington, DC and Project Manager on the recent Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Recovery Project in Baltimore, MD.
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from London South Bank University in Southwark, London, England and is a member of the Design-Build Institute of America, Construction Management Association of America and the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, Executive Committee Representative and Board Member of the Maryland Transportation Builders Association as well as several Mid-Atlantic Contractor Associations.
Stephen is a native of Buckhurst Hill in Greater London, England and for the past 25 years, Stephen has resided in Crofton, Maryland with his wife Nicola of 23 years and two children: Lucy (age 18) and Luke (age 11). In his spare time, Stephen enjoys spending time with family and friends and any available weekend hiking, fishing and skiing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where he has been a part-time resident for over 20 years.
Moderator
With experience of 29 years of structural and forensic engineering expertise, Brian is the president of structural engineering firm Tarantino Engineering Consultants (TEC) operating in 30 states across the US. Brian founded TEC in 2013, which now hails as one of the largest building and site structure focused firms in the Baltimore/DC region as ranked by the Baltimore Business Journal and recently made the INC 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the United States for 2024.
Tarantino’s credentials include a Master’s from the University of Maryland and Bachelors from the University of Delaware, numerous publications, speaking engagements, podcast, television, and radio interviews as an expert in the field of forensic engineering. He and his firm have been honored with dozens of design awards for their work in recreational, institutional, commercial, retail, and residential sectors including local favorites like the Guinness Open Gate Brewery and Merriweather Post Pavilion.