Joonsun Hwang
PhD Student · Carnegie Mellon University
Civil and Environmental Engineering
HMHI Research Group · Advisor: Dr. Pingbo Tang
I study human–AI collaboration, operator knowledge, and digital twins in manufacturing and civil infrastructure.
Research Projects
Manufacturing Futures Institute (MFI) 2026
Digitizing Tacit Manufacturing Knowledge into Graph-Grounded, Human-Aligned Coaching Agents
- Identify the observe–orient–decide–act (OODA) loop of roll former operators and develop explainable guidance based on experts’ tacit knowledge.
Autodesk Research Residency Program
AI-Enhanced Decision-Making Framework for Manufacturing Operators in Advanced Cutting System
- Study how operators use their expertise to configure laser cutting machines through machine-generated logs, eye-tracking data, and think-aloud protocols.
Manufacturing PA Innovation Program · Cell Therapy Manufacturing
- Lead monthly meetings with Elevate Bio Inc. and manage the overall project schedule. Provide research consulting on adaptive learning for onboarding cleanroom employees at an upcoming manufacturing facility.
Manufacturing PA Innovation Program · Building Material Manufacturing
- Lead research on explainable digital twins for preventive maintenance and quality control using sensor measurements from stamping and pressing lines.
- Investigate operators’ tacit knowledge in configuring roll former setups through reinforcement learning with Ductmate Inc.
- Compare task similarity across manufacturing lines using a knowledge graph, leading to the 2025 I3CE paper on personalized learning in HVAC product manufacturing.
Textile Good Innovation Foundry (TGIF)
Manufacturing Process Simulation and Assessment
- Led on-site vibration and acoustic sensor data collection for sewing machine operations.
- Developed a playbook and middleware approaches linking raw sensor data to physical and digital layers, supporting demand surge evaluation through cycle time analysis and needle status monitoring.
Empowering Civil Engineering with Generative AI
Opportunities, Risks, and Future Directions
- Supported data collection, analysis, and interpretation for research funded by the Block Center’s 2023 Future of Work program.
- Assisted with submission to Advanced Engineering Informatics of “Transforming Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Workflows with Generative AI: Opportunities, Risks, and Future Directions.”
Publications
- A Traceable AI-Agent Operation Framework Using Graph-Based Procedures in Nuclear Abnormal Scenario Simulation
Park, S., McComb, C., Xiao, J., Hwang, J., and Tang, P. 18th International Conference on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management (PSAM 18), July 2026. - BuildLink: Graph-Structured Procedural Representation with Incident Integration
Park, S., Hwang, J., Jeon, K., Boring, L. R., and Tang, P. International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE, June 14, 2026. - Human and AI Decision-Making under Multi-objective Scenarios in Demand-Driven Building Product Manufacturing
Hwang, J., Jeon, K., and Tang, P. International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering, 2026. - Measuring Text-based Task Similarity to Enable Personalized Learning in Modular Construction: A Case Study in HVAC Product Manufacturing
Hwang, J., Jeon, K., and Tang, P. International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering, 2025. - Socio-Technical Assessment of Generative AI Integration in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Workflows: An Empirical Study Using O*NET Occupational Taxonomy
Xiong, R., Netser, Y., Tang, P., Li, B., and Hwang, J. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 2024.
Education
- Jan 2025–Present
Carnegie Mellon University
PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Aug 2024–May 2026
Carnegie Mellon University
MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Mar 2015–Feb 2020
Seoul National University
Bachelor of Architecture · Cum Laude
Academic details & coursework
Carnegie Mellon University
College of Engineering · Pittsburgh, PA · GPA: 3.96/4.00
Deep Reinforcement Learning, Generative AI, Urban System Modeling, Human AI Interaction, Principles of Digital Twins, Introduction to Python Prototyping for Infrastructure Systems, Advanced Python for Infrastructure Systems, Data Management, Introduction to Machine Learning.
Seoul National University
College of Engineering · Seoul, South Korea · GPA: 3.70/4.00 · Cum Laude · Ranked 9th of 66 graduates
Building Technology, Building System, Building Structure Planning, Introduction to Construction Engineering and Management, Building Economics and Development, Design Computing, Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Building, Advanced Building Environmental Technology, Architectural Design Studio, Architecture Environmental Planning, Building Materials, Building Codes and Regulations, Architecture and Urban Design, Architectural Design Theory, Architecture and Society, Korean Architecture, Architecture and Urbanism of Seoul.
Experience
HMHI Research Group · Research Assistant
Aug 2024–Present- Research human–AI collaboration in civil infrastructure and manufacturing through funded projects in building materials, apparel, and cell therapy manufacturing.
- Lead design-engineering teams in course project design and interdisciplinary research with the School of Architecture to facilitate communication in the AEC industry.
Safety 21 Research Assistant Fellow
Aug 2024–Dec 2025- Led development of a web-based auto-scraping tool to find recent research by transportation faculty.
- Summarized transportation articles, created research recaps, and supported annual and special events in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.
Capstone Asset Management · Associate
Jun 2023–Jul 2024- Participated in establishing a KRW 225 billion fund, including KRW 100 billion from KAMCO, to invest in non-performing loans for real estate projects.
- Managed real estate funds including Travelodge Dongdaemun Hotel and Yongin AMCC Logistics.
- Managed a fund investing in public offering stocks listed on KOSPI and KOSDAQ.
ROK CBR Defense Command · First Lieutenant
Mar 2020–May 2023- Served at the CBRN Defense Research Institute investigating and managing military soil contamination from July 2022 to May 2023.
- Served as platoon leader of the Korea CBRNE Special Force (1st Platoon, 3rd Company, 24th Battalion) until June 2022.
Savills Korea · Intern
Jan–Feb 2020- Supported logistics due diligence and market reports, and wrote a report proposing ideas on future logistics trends.
DA Group Urban Design & Architecture · Intern
Jul 2018- Supported an LH residential apartment design competition in Goyang-Jichuk.
- Researched newlywed housing trends, including variable floor plans and residential communities.
Daewoo Engineering & Construction Student Ambassador
Sep–Dec 2016- Participated in corporate social responsibility activities renovating the cleaners’ lounge at Sejong University, a youth welfare center in Wolgye-dong, and the library lounge at Konkuk University.
Teaching & Mentoring
Carnegie Mellon University
Teaching
- Fall 2026 & Fall 2025
Project Management for Engineering and Construction
Teaching Assistant · 33 students (2026), 50 students (2025)
- Spring 2025
Infrastructure Management
Teaching Assistant · 28 students
- Fall 2024
Sustainable Engineering Principles
Grader · 39 students
Research Mentoring
Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship · 4 students
Summer 2026
- Luke Cogswell
- Vera Zhou
- Donna Ding
- Soo-Yeon Kim
Independent Study · 1 student
Spring 2026
- Jingxuan Duan
Seoul National University
Student Mentoring
Team Leader · School-life Mentoring Program
Mar–Aug 2017
International student mentoring · Seoul, South Korea
- Advised international freshmen on school life and living in Korea.
- Planned and organized the opening party, membership training, and tours around Seoul.
Independent Teaching
- Jan 2015–Nov 2019
Private Tutoring
Math, physics, and chemistry · 8 high school students · Approximately 1,500 hours
Awards & Honors
LH’s 10th Anniversary Idea Competition
Oct–Nov 2019Proposed senior-friendly architectural measures to improve aging public rental apartments for a future business and policy competition.
- Spring & Fall 2019 · Fall 2018
Eminence Scholarship
Seoul National University · Full tuition
Synergy Architectural Design & MD Competition
Jul–Aug 2019Proposed and rendered a festive retail space in Gwangju’s Cheomdan District using skip floors and a continuous hallway.
Real Estate 114’s 20th Anniversary Big Data Competition
Apr–May 2019Analyzed real estate prices by classifying New-Town release districts with QGIS for a competition on using the REPS statistics platform.
International Idea Competition for Urban Innovations of Unused Space in Seoul
Dec 2018–Feb 2019Developed plans and renderings for retail and student residences on an underused site near Jeongneung.
2018 Koramco Real Estate Challenge
Sep–Oct 2018Prepared a business plan and cash flow for housing for people in their 20s and 30s on a gas station site near Nakseongdae Station, Seoul, considering environmentally friendly development.
- Spring & Fall 2017
Kwanak Corporation Scholarship
Merit-based · Full tuition
- Spring & Fall 2017
Seoul Hope Fellowship
Seoul Scholarship Foundation · Merit-based
- Spring & Fall 2016 · Fall 2015
Merit-based Scholarship
Seoul National University
Technical Skills
- Programming
- Python, C++, JavaScript
- Data & Web
- SQL, Flux, HTML/CSS
- Architectural Design
- AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, SketchUp
- BIM & GIS
- Revit, QGIS
Certifications
- 2021
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Korea · Real estate broker license
- 2019
Certified Investment Manager
Korea · License to manage collective investment schemes, trusts, or investment vehicles
- 2019
Engineer Architecture
Korea · National qualification in building construction and engineering
Contact
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh, PA