About
I am a doctoral student in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Florida International University, which I joined in August 2025. I study materials like sand and soil, which may look simple, but are actually made of millions of tiny particles working together. My goal is to understand how the shape and size of each grain affects the strength and behavior of the whole material.A helpful way to think about my work is this: I study how a single grain of sand acts like a small puzzle piece, and how billions of these pieces fit together to form something strong like a sandcastle or soil foundation.
I founded and direct the Nepalese in Research campaign: a nationwide initiative encouraging undergraduate research in Nepal. I write in Nepali and English for publications such as Setopati, The Annapurna Express, Online Khabar and other newspapers and literary outlets in Nepal.I write about engineering education, poetry, and satire. I enjoy sports like football, volleyball, and chess, and I feel most connected to nature.
Education
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2025 – present
Doctor of Philosophy, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Florida International University · Miami, FL
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2018 – 2023
Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Engineering
Pokhara University · Cosmos College of Management and Technology, Kathmandu (Merit-based full scholarship)
Final-year thesis: Comparative Analysis of Earthquake-Resistant Design in Multi-Storey Buildings — NBC 105:2020 vs. IS 1893:2023.
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2015 – 2017
+2 Science (Higher Secondary)
St. Lawrence College, Kathmandu (Merit-based full scholarship)
Honors & Awards
- Outstanding College Ambassador, Pustak Pariyojana, 2023
- Chess Champion, Cosmos College, 2019
- First Place, College Poetry Competition, Cosmos College, 2019
- Former Student Award, St. Lawrence College, 2019
- Merit-Based Full Undergraduate Scholarship (Top 0.1%), Pokhara University, 2018
- Merit-Based Full Higher-Secondary Scholarship, St. Lawrence College, 2015
- Student of the Year, Shree Baruneshwar Secondary School, Rampur, 2015
- Top-16 Semifinalist (of 237), National Open Debate Competition, Green Commando Earth
Research
05 peer-reviewed articles-
2025
Analyzing the behavior of geopolymer concrete (GPC) with different novel machine-learning algorithms
Journal of Structural Design and Construction Practice (Q1) · ASCE Library
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2025
A paradigm shift in corrosion inhibition using botanical extracts: from conventional methods to advanced methods for reinforcing steel
Innovative Infrastructure Solutions · Springer
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2025
Optimizing high-strength concrete compressive strength with explainable machine learning
Multiscale and Multidisciplinary Modeling, Experiments and Design · Springer
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2024
Explainable hybridized ensemble machine learning for the prognosis of the compressive strength of recycled-plastic-based sustainable concrete with experimental validation
Multiscale and Multidisciplinary Modeling, Experiments and Design · Springer
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2024
Experimental study on the mechanical properties of sustainable concrete using recycled plastic and glass waste
International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
Teaching & mentoring
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2024
Research Training Mentor
Nepal Research and Collaboration Center
Mentored a six-member team through a three-month training programme on research-paper development — methodology, writing technique, and critical analysis.
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2023 – 2024
Lab Instructor, Department of Civil Engineering
Cosmos College of Management and Technology · Kathmandu
Soil Mechanics laboratory; concrete mix design; materials and structural testing for undergraduate civil engineering students.
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2018 – 2024
Mathematics & Physics Lecturer
PEA Association Pvt. Ltd. · Kathmandu
500+ lectures to 1,500+ students preparing for the IOE and university engineering entrance exams.
Books
02 titles2024
A Textbook of Hydropower Engineering
2022
Success Entrance
Literature
essays · poems · op-edsPieces written between 2019 and 2024: mostly in Nepali, occasionally in English for Nepalese newspapers and literary outlets. Subjects range from engineering education and electoral politics to short verse and satire.
English
नेपाली · Nepali
Press
interviews · coverage · videosReporting and interviews about my work, books, and the campaigns I lead and my own video conversations.
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The Annapurna Express 29 Jun 2024
NRCC launches undergraduate research campaign
Coverage of the launch of the Nepalese in Research campaign — its shift away from textbook-only undergraduate study toward hands-on research training.
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Globe Nepal असार २०, २०७९
इन्जिनियरिङका विद्यार्थी दिपक बने लेखक
Feature on becoming an author at 21 — the release of Success Entrance and its place in entrance-exam preparation across Nepal's engineering universities.
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ICT Samachar माघ ८, २०७८
हल्ट प्राइज सुनौलो अवसर हो — दिपक दाहाल
Interview as Founding Campus Director of the Hult Prize at Cosmos College — on the opportunity the global challenge creates for student social entrepreneurship.
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YouTube · Video interview
Er. Dipak Dahal — in conversation
A long-form video interview on engineering education, research, and the my engineering journey.
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YouTube · Video interview
Er. Dipak Dahal — engineering, research & education
Video conversation on civil engineering practice, research mentorship, and the work of Shikshya Sarathi.
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YouTube · Self-published
Nepalese in Research — campaign launch
My own video introducing the Nepalese in Research campaign: re-engineering knowledge, from textbooks to research.
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YouTube channel · ongoing
Er. Dipak Dahal — tutorials, lectures & podcast
My full channel: 287+ videos on civil-engineering topics, research methods, and career guidance for Nepalese engineering students. 6,000+ subscribers, plus a long-form podcast playlist.
