Shima Pakniat
Memphis,TN
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Memphis
01.2024 - Current
- - Developing machine learning-based ground motion models for the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plains
- - Designing real-time structural health monitoring systems for bridges and critical infrastructure focused on long-term vibration response, ambient loading, and seismic activity monitoring
Mathematics Teacher
Valeh Complex and Hoda Complex
01.2020 - 01.2024
- - Taught high school and pre-university mathematics
Research Assistant
International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES)
01.2021 - 01.2023
- - Conducted site effect and ground response analysis for seismic hazard assessment
- - Processed and analyzed seismic data using DeepSoil, SHAKE95, GIS, SeisGRASP, and Matlab
M.Sc. Researcher
International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES)
01.2018 - 01.2021
- - Investigated site effects and seismic hazards after the 2017 Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake
- - Focused on seismic data processing and site response analysis as part of master’s thesis
- - Developed a site response analysis software package called SeisGRASP, utilized Matlab, DeepSoil, SHAKE95, and GIS for data analysis and modeling
Education
Ph.D. - Civil Engineering
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN08.2025
M.Sc. - Earthquake Engineering
International Institute of Earthquake Engineering And Seismology (IIEES)
01.2021
B.Sc. - Civil Engineering
Noshirvani University of Technology
01.2018
Skills
- Programming & Data Analysis: MATLAB, Python, GIS
- Seismic Software: DeepSoil, SHAKE95, SeisGRASP, SeismoSignal
- Machine Learning & AI: Machine Learning Algorithms, Neural Networks, Ensemble Learning, Genetic Algorithms
- Signal Processing: Spectral Analysis, Cross Power Spectral Density (CPSD), SVD, FDD, SSI
- Structural Software: ETABS, SAP2000
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Self-directed and motivated
Websites
Affiliations
Member, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)
Certification
- Advanced Learning Algorithms an online non-credit course authorized by DeepLearning.AI and Stanford University and offered through Coursera
- Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification an online non-credit course authorized by DeepLearning.AI and Stanford University and offered through Coursera
LANGUAGES
English (Fluent)
Persian (Native)
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Memphis
01.2024 - Current
Research Assistant
International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES)
01.2021 - 01.2023
Mathematics Teacher
Valeh Complex and Hoda Complex
01.2020 - 01.2024
M.Sc. Researcher
International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES)
01.2018 - 01.2021
B.Sc. - Civil Engineering
Noshirvani University of Technology
Ph.D. - Civil Engineering
University of Memphis
M.Sc. - Earthquake Engineering
International Institute of Earthquake Engineering And Seismology (IIEES)
Publications
- Pakniat, S., Najafizadeh, J., Kadkhodaavval, M. Machine learning for earthquake engineering analysis: Comparing regression models to predict peak ground acceleration. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025.
- Jalili, J., Moosavi, M., Pakniat, S. A newly generated seismic ground response analysis software package-SeisGRASP-by International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions of Civil Engineering, 2024/6.
- Pakniat, S., Moosavi, M., Jalili, J. Effect of Seismic Site Response on Damage Distribution in Sarpol-e Zahab City Caused by 12 November 2017 Mw 7.3 Strong Ground Motion: Fooladi area. Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, 2021/8/1.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Ground Motion Modeling (GMMs)
- Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)
- Seismic Hazard Assessment
- Site Response Analysis
- Machine Learning Applications in Earthquake Engineering
- Disaster Resilience and Infrastructure Safety
Awards
Fully Funded Ph.D. Assistantship, University of Memphis, USA (2024 – Present)
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