Dr Harold Aquino PhD

Dr. Harold Aquino blends technical expertise in resilience engineering, infrastructure planning, and construction management with advanced skills in data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. His research applies data-driven methods such as computer vision, forecasting, modelling, and simulation to strengthen resilience and sustainability in the built environment. At the same time, he recognizes that technology is only part of the solution, and his work often combines quantitative modelling with qualitative approaches to capture the lived realities that shape resilience on the ground.

A significant strand of his work focuses on disaster resilience and recovery. Harold has contributed to projects that examine how communities, institutions, and the construction sector respond to and recover from large-scale shocks. His involvement in initiatives supported by the World Bank helped promote safer and more sustainable infrastructure, particularly in contexts highly exposed to natural hazards. These experiences highlighted the importance of bridging engineering solutions with community engagement, ensuring that resilience strategies are both technically sound and socially meaningful.

Harold’s research increasingly leverages artificial intelligence to anticipate and respond to the challenges facing the built environment. He explores the potential of computer vision for building damage assessment, time series modelling for forecasting construction activity, and simulation tools for testing capacity within the construction sector. By applying these techniques, he seeks to uncover new ways of understanding vulnerabilities and opportunities in infrastructure systems. His work is particularly relevant to New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific, regions where the construction sector must respond to both rapid growth and high exposure to natural disasters.

Alongside his technical and research contributions, Harold has extensive experience in teaching and mentoring. He began his academic career at the University of the Philippines, where he progressed from Instructor to Associate Professor over fourteen years of service. During this time, he developed and taught courses on construction management, resilience, and engineering practice, while supervising graduate and undergraduate students. His move to Massey University reflects a continued commitment to education, as he works to prepare the next generation of professionals who can navigate complex challenges in the built environment.

Collaboration is central to Harold’s approach. He works closely with academic colleagues, industry partners, and community stakeholders, believing that resilient infrastructure requires perspectives from across disciplines and sectors. His active engagement in professional networks across the Asia-Pacific provides opportunities to connect research with practice, linking local insights to global conversations.

Through this combination of technical engineering expertise, advanced data-driven methods, and a strong commitment to community resilience, Harold’s work aims to shape a built environment that is safer, more sustainable, and better prepared for the future.