Dr. Antonio Nanni

Research Professor at University of Miami

Dr. Antonio Nanni is a leading international authority on Fiber-Reinforced Polymer
(FRP) reinforcement and strengthening systems for concrete structures. His
pioneering research has advanced the understanding and practical
implementation of FRP bars, sheets, and laminates as sustainable alternatives to
steel reinforcement. Over the past three decades, he has led numerous field
applications, chaired key ACI and ASTM committees, and contributed to the
development of FRP design guidelines and codes adopted worldwide. 

Dr. Tarek Alkhrdaji
Vice President of Engineering at Structural Technologies

Dr. Tarek Alkhrdaji, PhD., P.E. specializes in structural repair and rehabilitation of
concrete structures. His expertise includes evaluation, design, planning, and
execution of full-scale load testing to assess existing conditions and evaluate
repair performance. Dr. Alkhrdaji is proficient in a wide range of strengthening
techniques, such as bonded FRP plates, rods and fabric, external post-tensioning,
enlargement, span shortening and bonded steel shapes. His contributions help
advance the durability and safety of infrastructure. 

Dr. Tao Yu
Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Dr. Tao Yu is a Professor of Structural Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic
University, renowned for his contributions to fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)
composites in civil infrastructure. His research focuses on using FRP for
strengthening and rehabilitating concrete and steel structures and developing
seawater sea-sand concrete–FRP systems for sustainable construction. A key
drafter of the Chinese national standard GB 50608-2020 on FRP, he serves as
Co-Editor-in-Chief of Advances in Structural Engineering and Senior Vice
President of the IIFC.

Mr. Hussam Nasreddin
Senior Design Innovations Manager at NEOM

Mr. Hussam Nasreddin leads the design Innovations at NEOM Design and
Construction sector, with over 15 years of structural engineering experience
across the UK and the Middle East. He leads R&D collaborations focused on
sustainable construction and advanced composite materials. His recent projects
include hybrid fiber composite rebar, graphene-enhanced concrete, and precast
hollow piling systems. 

Mr. Eid Bader
Deputy General Manager at IKK Mateenbar

Eid Bader is the Deputy General Manager of IKK Mateenbar, leading the joint
venture’s expansion across Saudi Arabia and the GCC. Prior to this role, he
worked as an Associate Design Engineering Specialist at Fluor Canada Ltd.,
supporting gas production projects for Encana in Alberta, and at Ontario Power
Generation’s nuclear facility in Toronto. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil
engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Canada, with a
specialization in Structural Engineering, and an MBA from the University of
Warwick, UK. He is also a member of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
(CSCE). 

Mr. Valery Hurynovich
CEO of ABFC-Basalt Powered

Mr. Valery Hurynovich is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of expertise in
advanced manufacturing, composite materials, and large-scale industrial
operations. He previously served as COO of Binevir LLC and held senior roles at
Galen LLC, where he contributed to innovation in fiber-reinforced technologies.
Today, he is the CEO of ABFC — Basalt Powered, leading the company’s
expansion in sustainable, high-performance basalt fiber materials.

Dr. Julien Saade
Business Development Director at IKK Mateenbar

Dr. Julien Saade is the Business Development Director at Mateenbar, where he
has worked since 2017. Previously, he was BDM at VSL International in Dubai and
a Technical Sales Engineer at Eiffage-Aevia in Paris. He holds a Civil Engineering
degree from École Polytechnique Universitaire de Clermont and a PhD (2012)
from LGCGE, focusing on developing FRP composite repair methods for
structures. Dr. Saade is fluent in French, Arabic, and English and has extensive
global experience in structural engineering materials. 

Mr. Mustafa Al-Mimar
Structural Engineer at SIMCO Technologies

Mr. Mustafa is a structural engineer with over 12 years of experience in variety of
projects in UAE, KSA and US. He has an extensive knowledge in analyzing and
designing structures using international codes and standards. Mustafa specializes
in structural repair and rehabilitation of concrete structures as well as
strengthening techniques, including bonded FRP systems and section
enlargements. He is competent in condition assessment and investigating and
analyzing fire damaged concrete structures. 

Mr. Parthasarathy Devarajan
General Manager Marketing at UCC

Mr. Devarajan has obtained Bachelors in Civil Engineering with an MBA. He has
over 35 years of experience in the cement industry across technical, retail,
exports and trading. He has worked with leading cement companies, including
L&T and UltraTech. He spent 15+ years in the Middle East driving sales and
marketing.

Dr. Farid Abed
Professor at American University of Sharjah

Dr. Farid H. Abed is an internationally recognized expert in structural engineering
and mechanics with over 20 years of academic and research excellence. Ranked
among the world’s top 2% scientists by Stanford–Elsevier, he is a leading
research faculty member at the American University of Sharjah. His work covers
reinforced concrete, FRP/FRCM composites, fire performance, nonlinear
modeling, impact loading, and computational mechanics. He has published over
200 papers with 6,000+ citations, led 15+ funded projects, and serves as ACI-UAE
president and ASCE Fellow. 

For further information, please contact Dr. Farid Abed: fabed@aus.edu