Education

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical) – 2003, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• M.S. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical) – 1999, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• B.S. in Geological Engineering (Soils & Foundations), Summa Cum Laude – 1993, Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela
• B.S. in Geology, Summa Cum Laude – 1993, Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela

Professional History

• 2021 to Present – Wells-Hatch Professor of Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University
• 2017 to 2021 – Wells-Hatch Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University
• 2008 to 2016 – Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University
• 2002 to 2008 – Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University
• 05/2002 to 08/2002 – Instructor, School of Earth Sciences, Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela
• 1999 to 2002 – Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• 1993 to 1996 – Instructor, School of Earth Sciences, Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela
• Summer 1992 – Intern, PDVSA (formerly CORPOVEN SA), Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela

Research Interests

• Development of bio-mediated and bio-inspired methods and solutions in geotechnical engineering (ground improvement, ground reinforcement, deep foundations, restoration of degraded soils)
• Sustainable use of new and recycled materials in civil engineering (foam glass, tire bales, crumb rubber)
• Numerical analyses applied to problems in geomechanics
• Experimental determination of mechanical and engineering properties of soils (desert soils, diatomaceous soils, silty and clayey sands, cemented sands, collapsible soils)
• Resiliency of earthen construction: performance and material characterization of adobe structures
• Modeling and performance evaluation of flexible pavements

Select Publications

Davila, E., Weldon, B. D., Bandini, P., McGinnis, M. J., and Bullard, B. K. (2026). Adobe walls subjected to monotonic in-plane loading: Effect of moisture, fiber type, and openings. Infrastructures, 11(5), 156. https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11050156

Zelkowski, P., Bandini, P., and Newtson, C. M. Laterally expanded capacity-enhanced piles and anchors. U.S. Patent No. 12,497,746 B2. Awarded December 16, 2025.

Madrigal, N. A., Marmolejo, E., and Bandini, P. (2025). Hydraulic conductivity of a sand cemented with Enzyme-Induced Carbonate Precipitation. Geotechnical Frontiers 2025: Soil Characterization and Improvement (GSP 368), Beauregard, M. S., and Budge, A. S. (Eds.), 337-345.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784486016.034

Aleali, S. A.,  Bandini, P., and Newtson, C. M. Bio-inspired deep foundation piles and anchorage systems. U.S. Patent No. 11,142,878. Awarded October 12, 2021.

Al Aqtash, U.,  Bandini, P ., and Cooper, S. L. (2022). Lateral strength of traditional adobe walls affected by moisture: A numerical parametric study.  International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 16(9): 1432-1449.  https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2021.1892240

Aleali, S. A.,  Bandini, P., and Newtson, C. M. (2020). Multifaceted bioinspiration for improving the shaft resistance of deep foundations.  Journal of Bionic Engineering, 17(5) : 1059-1074.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-020-0076-6

Al Aqtash, U., and  Bandini, P. (2020). Influence of wall thickness and water content on the out-of-plane stability of adobe walls.  Infrastructures, 2020, 5(9), 78.  https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures5090078

Sonyok, D. R., and  Bandini, P. (2019). Oedometric behavior of diatomite-kaolin mixtures.  Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 145(9): 06019005.  https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002084

Mostafazadeh-Fard, S., Samani, Z., and  Bandini, P. (2019). Production of liquid organic fertilizer through anaerobic digestion of grass clippings.  Waste and Biomass Valorization, 10(4), 771-781.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-017-0095-7 

Al Aqtash, U.,  Bandini, P. , and Cooper, S. L. (2017). Numerical approach to model the effect of moisture in adobe masonry walls subjected to in-plane loading.  International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 11(6): 805-815.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2017.1298010