School of Built Environment staff
On this page, find contact and expertise details for all staff at the School of Built Environment. Find out about Visiting Professors here.
Head of School
Head of School of Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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Professor of Construction and Project Management and Head of School School of Built Environment. A senior academic leader, an active researcher and an award winning educator who has been actively championing close collaborations between Industry and Academia. His academic career spans for almost 20 years in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
All staff
Research Officer - School of Built Environment
Research Officer - School of Built Environment
Research Officer - School of Built Environment
Tutor in Information Technology - School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences
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Associate Professor Naseem Ameer Ali
Associate Professor - School of Built Environment
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Associate Professor and Director for Internationalisation, School of Built Env, Massey University; Adjunct Professor University of Science Malaysia; Visiting Professor Taylors University Malaysia
Multidisciplinary construction professional with over 30 years of industry and academic experience. Past President of the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia. Currently on the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors Auckland branch board and New Zealand Society of Construction Law council.
Author of the world's first construction contract (STCC-RSP 2015) to attain the Plain Language Commission UK’s Clear English Standard accreditation.
Advocate of plain language, which is heavily emphasised in the Master of Construction (Construction Law) programme.
Lecturer - School of Built Environment
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Dr. Harold Aquino blends technical expertise in resilience engineering, infrastructure planning, and construction management with advanced skills in data analytics, machine learning, and AI. His research applies data-driven methods such as computer vision, forecasting, modelling, and simulation to strengthen resilience and sustainability in the built environment.
Alongside this technical work, he has a strong background in disaster resilience and recovery, supported by both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Actively engaged with academic, industry, and community partners across New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific, he works to develop innovative and practical solutions that enhance construction sector capacity and community resilience.
Lecturer in Quantity Surveying & Construction Law - School of Built Environment
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Chinthaka Atapattu is a Lecturer in Quantity Surveying & Construction Law at the School of Built Environment, Massey University, New Zealand. He has completed his PhD in the same school in December 2023. He has 10 years of industry experience as a Quantity Surveyor in Oman, Qatar, and Sri Lanka. Chinthaka is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (MNZIQS) and Society of Construction Law - New Zealand. Also, he is an Associate Member of American Society of Civil Engineers (A.M.ASCE).
Associate Professor Mostafa Babaeianjelodar
Associate Professor/Academic Lead - School of Built Environment
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Mostafa is a Civil Engineer and researcher with multidisciplinary interests in construction engineering and management. His main research focus crosses over construction innovation, new technologies, productivity, off-site construction, Decision Support Systems (DSS), integrated design and procurement. He is an expert in data analysis, operations research; mathematical and statistical modelling in combination with qualitative research methods. His publications appear in many well respected world class journals. Mostafa is also member of PMI, PrefabNZ, CIB and Engineering NZ. He has been on editorial and review duties for different international journals and served on the scientific committee of various international and local conferences.
Senior Lecturer - School of Built Environment
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My area of expertise is focused on the interface of the Building Technology and Public Health. I have led a few intervention studies where we have investigated the relationship between domestic heaters, ventilation and the level of pollutants (mould, bacteria, chemicals and moisture) in homes and in classrooms. These studies had a strong sympathy for vulnerable communities with low income, Māori
and Pasifika communities being particularly at risk through a higher burden of disease.Research Laboratory Technical Manager - School of Built Environment
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Chris is highly regarded as an innovator, and has excellent relationships with end-users.
His reputation as a technology-focussed innovator with an unusual approach to solutions means he is often approached by individuals and companies seeking advice on products or technologies.
Through his work with the “Let’s Get Inventing” TV show he was further able to inspire, advise and assist young inventers to create and patent their dreams.
Chris has vast professional experience in the robotics and patient simulation, and is presently researching the unintended effects of modern lighting on humans and other biological lifeforms.
Associate Professor Niluka Domingo
Associate Professor - School of Built Environment
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Dr Niluka Domingo is an academic in the School of Built Environment, with extensive experience across both industry and academia. Her teaching and research focus on sustainable construction, quantity surveying, construction management, low-carbon built environments, and net-zero carbon building practices. She holds a PhD in Construction Management from Loughborough University, United Kingdom, and a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying. She is also a member of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (MNZIQS). Niluka is actively engaged in international research leadership and serves as the lead coordinator of the CIB working commission on Near Zero and circular Built Environment.
Lecturer in Built Environment - School of Built Environment
Lecturer in Built Environment - School of Built Environment
Lecturer in Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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Elrasheid is a civil engineer with over 12 years of professional experience across various construction sectors, including site engineering and construction project management.
Elrasheid holds a Master of Construction Management from Auckland University of Technology and a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Auckland. He is currently a Lecturer at the School of Built Environment, bringing postdoctoral research experience as a member of the CanConstructNZ research programme, an NZD 10 million MBIE-funded initiative investigating the capacity and capability of New Zealand's construction industry.
His research interests include:
- Construction Management
- Disaster Management
- Urban Resilience
- Climate Change Adaptation
Senior Lecturer in Digital Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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Zhenan is a Senior Lecturer (Above the Bar) in Digital Built Environment in the School of Built Environment at Massey University.
Zhenan's research focuses on integrating digital technologies, particularly extended reality (VR, AR, MR), serious games, and Building Information Modelling, to enhance safety, training, and decision-making in the built environment. Zhenan specialises in experimental design to investigate human behaviour and immersive solution development for education and risk mitigation. Zhenan's work bridges academia and industry, with a strong emphasis on digital construction innovation, human-centred design, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Senior Lecturer in Building Technology - School of Built Environment
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Claire is a Senior Lecturer in the Building Technology courses at Massey University’s School of Built Environment. She has a PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and 20 years of experience in industrial robotics and automation. Her research interests include the performance of manual wheelchairs, access to the Built Environment for the mobility impaired, sustainability, building energy, fire safety, acoustics and indoor air quality.
Lecturer - Building and Facilities Management - School of Built Environment
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Dr Vishal Kumar is a lecturer in the School of Built Environment at Massey University. His research interests are Integrated Digital Delivery using BIM, Digital Twin in construction and Smart Facilities Management. His research focuses on how a more efficient information transfer system for BIM-FM can be developed, addressing the current challenges of the fragmented information-capturing process during the design and construction stages.
Senior Lecturer in Quantity Surveying - School of Built Environment
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Dr. An serves as Quantity Surveying Subject Lead. She teaches courses in both Quantity Surveying and Project Management programmes. Additionally, she is recognised as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK (FHEA), and contributes to the International Council of Research and Innovation in Building and Construction CIB TG124 (Net Zero Carbon Building) and Construction in Developing Countries (W107) working group. Her research focuses on construction project management, cost management, sustainable construction, well-being in construction, construction innovation, stakeholder engagement, climate change adaptation and zero-carbon buildings.
Lecturer in Built Environment - School of Built Environment
Lecturer in Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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I have a strong multidisciplinary background in architecture, construction management, sustainable building design, and digital technologies. My research focuses on sustainable construction, building performance optimisation, and digital and computational approaches to the built environment, with particular interests in BIM, parametric and generative design, building performance simulation, modular and prefabricated construction, and renewable energy integration. I am also interested in exploring the emerging potential of artificial intelligence to support more sustainable and efficient design and construction. My work draws on academic research and industry experience in both New Zealand and China.
Professor in Digital Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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I am a Professor at Massey University and a Rutherford Discovery Fellow for the Royal Society Te Apārangi. I am a Visiting Professor at Tsinghua University and an Associate Editor for Safey Science (Elsevier) and Fire Technology (Springer). I am the Co-Chair of the International Association for Disaster Reduction and Emergency Management founded by Tsinghua University.
Research: My work focus on Human Behavior in Disasters, Pedstrian Evacuation Dynamics and Safett Training. My research make use of new digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and BIM.Senior Lecturer - School of Built Environment
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Susan has over 20 years’ experience in illumination engineering and presently leads the IESANZ-accredited lighting programme. She also manages the university’s photometric laboratory, which is used for teaching and research as well as commercial product development. Susan has a strong industry focus, having worked previously as a senior electrical engineer for an international consultancy group. Susan is the current Education Chair for the New Zealand Chapter Committee of the IESANZ.
Senior Lecturer in Digital Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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Dr. Daniel Paes holds a Ph.D. in Building Construction, with a concentration in Cognitive Psychology, from the Georgia Institute of Technology, United States. He also earned a B.Sc. (Honours) degree in Architecture and Urbanism and an M.Sc. in Construction Management (Thesis track) from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Daniel’s research bridges basic and applied science, focusing on cognition, perception and learning within virtual environments for design, construction, and training applications. His work explores opportunities to improve assessment methods and enhance virtual experiences in the field.
Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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My research is focused on the interface between sustainability and building performance. I investigate the relationship(s) between building users' interaction, comfort, and productivity and building performance (energy use/efficiency, facilities, systems, and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)) in residential and commercial buildings.
Senior Lecturer in Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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My work spans the study of people in the built environment, workforce development, and the health and safety of the construction workforce. I focus on including Māori in New Zealand's construction industry, advocating for greater representation. Additionally, I explore upskilling in innovative technologies, stakeholder management in construction supply chains, and construction education. My research also includes leadership in construction projects, 3D printing as a sustainable construction technology, and the use of earth buildings for a zero-carbon future. I aim to drive forward-thinking practices and educational advancements through these diverse areas to build a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable construction industry.
Senior Lecturer in Construction Management - School of Built Environment
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Wajiha is a senior lecturer in construction management and postgraduate lead for the School of Built Environment. She brings over 20 years of academic and industry expertise, specializing in modern methods of construction. Her research is acclaimed for its impact on New Zealand's construction industry. With numerous publications, including journal papers and industry reports, Wajiha shapes discourse in modern construction methodologies. Wajiha’s commitment to advancing construction practices underscores her dedication to driving positive change in the field.
Senior Lecturer in Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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Dr. Chandana Siriwardana, a Senior Lecturer at the School of Built Environment, specializes in construction management, health and safety, disaster resilience, climate change adaptation, and sustainability. He is actively involved in designing and delivering courses, supervising postgraduate research, and contributing to curriculum development. Through collaborations with local and international partners, he leads interdisciplinary projects that promote innovation and practical solutions. His research, featured in high-impact journals, focuses on resilience, disaster risk management, and climate-resilient construction. As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Siriwardana fosters critical thinking and creativity in his students, preparing them to tackle global challenges in construction and sustainability.
Head of School of Built Environment - School of Built Environment
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Professor of Construction and Project Management and Head of School School of Built Environment. A senior academic leader, an active researcher and an award winning educator who has been actively championing close collaborations between Industry and Academia. His academic career spans for almost 20 years in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Senior Lecturer in Building Technology - School of Built Environment
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Dr Andries (Hennie) van Heerden is a Senior Lecturer in Building Technology at Massey University and a PhD supervisor. He holds qualifications in Construction Management and Technology Management from the University of Pretoria, where he completed his PhD in Construction Management in 2018.
Before joining Massey University in 2019, Hennie worked in construction and industry roles including Site Agent, Construction Manager, Project Manager, Health and Safety, and Fleet Supervision, and later lectured in Construction Management at the University of Pretoria. He is a Fellow of Advance HE, United Kingdom, and has completed MATES in Construction Connector Training.
Senior Lecturer in Quantity Surveying - School of Built Environment
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Fei is a senior lecturer in Quantity Surveying at Massey University's School of Built Environment. Prior to joining academia, she advised and acted for public and private sector clients in the transportation, water, and construction sectors, with a track record in delivering successful outcomes for clients in New Zealand, China and Germany. Fei's research covers procurement management, supply chain management and decision-making in construction management. Her current research pivots to the interdisciplinary area of construction informatics focused on digitalising the construction process through the lens of social science in human behaviour change.
Lecturer in Quantity Surveying - School of Built Environment
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Dr. Yijun Zhou is a Lecturer in Quantity Surveying in the School of Built Environment at Massey University, New Zealand. She holds a PhD in Construction Management and specialises in sustainable construction, life cycle assessment (LCA), and digital technologies for the built environment.
Senior Lecturer in Quantity Surveying & Construction Law - School of Built Environment
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Kelvin is a part-time (0.5FTE) Senior Lecturer in quantity surveying and construction law. His PhD in Construction Management was obtained at The University of Auckland (UoA), which looked at different procurement and contractual arrangements for post-disaster reconstruction. Kelvin also has a Master of Legal Studies from UoA Law School and a Master (Hons) of Engineering Studies. Before joining Massey, Kelvin worked extensively in the NZ construction industry and held management roles in various international and local construction and development companies. Kelvin is also one of the founding partners of the development consultancy firm United Portfolio.
