The IRC-Construction and Building Materials at KFUPM is pleased to welcome Dr. Prabu Thannasi as a Post-Doctoral Fellow. He received his Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli, India, in 2023.

Prior to joining KFUPM, Dr. Thannasi served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at New York University Abu Dhabi from April 2023 to April 2025, and as an Associate Professor at Kangeyam Institute of Technology, India. He also worked as a Senior Research Fellow and Junior Research Fellow at NIT Tiruchirappalli under projects funded by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), and previously served as an Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering.

Dr. Thannasi’s research expertise lies in planetary geotechnics, with a strong focus on lunar and Martian soil simulants, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), and extraterrestrial construction materials. His work involves the development and characterization of lunar regolith simulants, sulfur-based and geopolymer materials, and 3D-printable construction systems for space habitats, along with investigations on soil–structure interaction under extreme environmental conditions.

We warmly welcome Dr. Prabu Thannasi and look forward to his valuable contributions to advanced and interdisciplinary research at IRC-Construction and Building Materials, KFUPM.