Ricardo Eiris

Breaking things and learning how to put them back together was how Ricardo Eiris spent his childhood.

“I loved tinkering around with technology every chance I could get,” he says.

Inspired by his civil engineer father, Eiris completed his doctoral degree in design, construction and planning from the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction in 2020.

“I realized that technological advances are crucial to improving the domain,” he says. “That led me to pursue a doctoral degree where I could play with technology for a good cause.”

In his new position as an assistant professor of construction management in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, Eiris is most excited to explore how technology can improve construction workforce training and education.

“The way construction personnel and many other STEM professionals work today is rapidly changing due to technological advances,” says Eiris, a faculty member in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, part of the Fulton Schools. “I believe my work can play a part in uncovering and understanding how we can support technology-driven changes to sustain economic competitiveness, innovation, promote individual well-being and foster lifelong learning while improving quality of life.”

He will teach two classes in the 2023–24 academic year: CON 575 Information Technology in Construction during the fall and CON 437 Construction Technology in the spring. Students can expect to hear about the integration of emerging technologies in the construction field, including topics such as the metaverse, extended reality, and drones.

Eiris says he chose to work at ASU for its inclusive environment and points out the ASU Charter as an example of this inclusiveness.

“The charter really resonated with me,” Eiris says. “I believe the combination of innovation and inclusion is a powerful mix that can move research forward while providing public value.”

In his free time, Eiris enjoys hiking, watching science fiction movies and playing video and board games.

Meet the newest faculty members of the Fulton Schools of Engineering here.

Written by Bobbi Ramirez