UT Tyler Engineering Chair Appointed to National Transportation Committee

September 5, 2025 | Hannah Buchanan

Dr. Mena Souliman, the Ronald D. Brazzel Endowed Professor of Civil Engineering and chair of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering and Management at The University of Texas at Tyler, has been selected to serve a three-year term on the Transportation Research Board’s Standing Committee on Asphalt Pavement Design and Construction.

This committee, which includes only about 20 experts from across the United States, focuses on advancing research and innovation in asphalt pavement design and construction to ensure durability, efficiency and long-term functionality.

“We congratulate Dr. Souliman on his recent appointment to this prestigious committee with the TRB,” said Dr. Javier Kypuros, dean of the UT Tyler College of Engineering. “This honor recognizes not only his dedication to advancing civil engineering, but also his caliber of research and outstanding contributions to his discipline.”

Souliman joined the engineering faculty in 2014. During his time at UT Tyler, he has played a pivotal role in advancing research initiatives at both state and national levels, contributing to significant projects across various sectors and addressing challenges in pavement performance, materials engineering and infrastructure sustainability. His research, which emphasizes resilient infrastructure and innovative construction techniques in civil engineering, has garnered grants for UT Tyler totaling more than $3.6 million.

Additionally, he has authored more than 120 technical publications, conference papers and reports in the field of pavement and aggregate testing and characterization.

Souliman holds master’s and doctoral degrees in civil, environmental and sustainable engineering with a focus on pavement engineering from Arizona State University. Memberships include the American Society of Engineering Education, International Road Federation and Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.