About Us

We are a collaborative group that takes a team-science approach to our projects. We are passionate about taking on challenging, creative projects and conducting research with a positive impact on society and our natural environment.

 

December 2023

unsplash-image-UGYGm75B0So.jpg

The values that drive our work


01

Collaboration

We are a tight-knit group that values working hard and sharing experience and ideas to meet our shared goals.

02

Adaptation

Embracing change, creativity, and stretching ourselves is a crucial element to our research.

03

Rigor

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of scientific and engineering work, and promote respect for everyone.


 
 
 

MEET THE PI

Dr. Sarah Billington

UPS Foundation Professor and Chair,
Civil and Environmental Engineering

I am interested in how the design of our built environment can improve wellbeing outcomes for people. This work crosses boundaries between engineering, architecture, and social science research and builds on my expertise in structural engineering design and composite, building materials. Across my research career, I have always been driven to use engineering for social and environmental good.

 

The History of our Lab


1997-2019

How can innovative materials create more durable infrastructure?

Cement-based Materials

In our early days at Cornell University, we focused on numerical modeling and experimental testing of ductile, fiber-reinforced, cement-based composites for seismically-resistant bridge design and building retrofits.

2004-2018

Can we develop building materials that are better for the environment?

Bio-based Polymeric Composites

With the move to Stanford, our lab also began investigating alternative, environmentally-friendly composite materials for the construction industry in partnership with environmental and chemical engineers.

2018 - present

How are our materials and designs impacting our wellbeing?

Human-Building Interaction

More recently, our lab has shifted its focus toward understanding how our material and design choices in the built environment are impacting human wellbeing in collaboration with experts in computer science, psychology, and privacy.

 

Join our Team


We welcome students and external partners who are passionate about engineering, sustainability, and human wellbeing.

Do you want to understand how people interact with and are impacted by the built environment?

Ideally you are happy to collaborate with a diverse set of experts to explore new fields and research methods.

 
 
unsplash-image-gFG_lN_rOoA.jpg