Leonel Lagos

Leonel Lagos, Associate Professor, Moss Construction Management, Director of Research, ARC

Associate Professor, Moss Department of Construction Management
Director of Research, FIU’s Applied Research Center

lagosl@fiu.edu  305-348-1810  Dr. Leonel Lagos CV

Dr. Lagos is an Associate Professor at FIU’s Moss Department of Construction Management, Director of Research at FIU’s Applied Research Center, and Director of FIU’s Science & Technology Workforce Development Initiative (DOE Fellows Program). Dr. Lagos is also a Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on several sponsored research projects. Dr. Lagos has over 28 years of hands-on experience in executing, managing, and leading research programs sponsored by federal agencies and private industry. As a PI and Director of Research, Dr. Lagos executes, and directs research efforts of a multi-disciplinary team composed of 23 full-time staff (scientists, engineers), Post-Doctoral Associates, and over 30 STEM students including undergraduates, Master’s and PhDs. Since 2012, Dr. Lagos has been the Principal Investigator for the DOE-FIU Cooperative Agreement conducting multi-disciplinary research in areas of robotics and remote systems, AI/LM, generative AI, cyber security, natural language processing, radiochemistry, environmental chemistry, decommissioning, digital decommissioning.

Other current and past research funding include, the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s University Program (research area: robotics), National Science Foundation (robotics, sensors, big data/data analytics, predictive maintenance, STEM workforce development and training), Department of Energy’s Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (research areas: robotics, sensors development and deployments), Sandia National Laboratory Exoskeleton program (research areas: wearable robotics), Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (blockchain and machine learning technologies applied to fossil power plants), National Science Foundation Convergence Program (research areas: project management/5G technology development), Department of Education Title III HIS STEM Grant (research areas: Cybersecurity STEM training) and National Nuclear Security Administration (research areas: advanced manufacturing for small modular reactors). The above research portfolio has a value of approximately $8M a year.

Dr. Lagos is an active member of the Waste Management Symposia (WMS) and American Nuclear Society. For the WMS, Dr. Lagos serves as a Program Advisory Committee Member (PAC) As a PAC member, he supports STEM initiatives and contributes to various Tracks, including Tracks 9 (Robotics), and Track 10 (STEM). He has also actively contributed to Track 8 (Communication, workforce development and training, and stakeholder’s involvement) and Track 6 (Deactivation & Decommissioning). Dr. Lagos serves as a member of the Roy G. Post Foundation Board of Trustees.

Dr. Lagos also is a member of the American Nuclear Society’s (ANS) Robotics & Remote Systems Division (RRSD) and has served in various roles including treasurer (2016), vice Chair (2017) and Chair (2018-2020) of RRSD’s Executive Committee. Dr. Lagos has led Florida International University’s Applied Research Center international efforts and has developed active working relationships with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of France, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Halden, Norway, And University of Porto, Portugal.

Dr. Lagos is also an adjunct professor in FIU’s Biomedical Engineering Department and previously an adjunct professor in FIU’s Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department. Dr. Lagos is also a Graduate Faculty within the Department of Civil/Environmental Engineering and Moss Department of Construction Management at FIU. As a Graduate Faculty Dr. Lagos has participated in 33 Masters and PhDs committees since 2009. As a major professor or co-major professor, Dr. Lagos is supervising a total of 6 PhDs and 8 Master students.

As part of his research efforts, Dr. Lagos supports a total of 30 STEM students including 6 PhDs, 6 Masters, and 18 undergraduate students fully funded under various sponsored research projects.

Background Education

• University of Florida, Aerospace Engineering, BS, 1991
• Florida International University, Mechanical Engineering, MS, 1996
• Florida International University, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Ph.D., 2007

Certifications

• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Research and Professional Experience

• Associate Professor
  Moss Department of Construction Management, Florida International University, Miami, FL
  08/2022 – Present
• Director of Research
  Applied Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL
  09/2012 – Present
• Associate Director
  Applied Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL
  09/2008 – 09/2012
• Senior Research Scientist
  Applied Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL
  09/2003 – 09/2008
• Research Scientist
  Applied Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL
  09/2001 – 09/2003
• Field/Test Engineer
  Applied Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL
  07/1996 – 09/2001
• Graduate Research Assistant
  Applied Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL
  01/1993 – 07/1996

Publications

1. Rojas, D. (PhD), Lagos, L, Upadhyay, H., Soni, J., “AI Based Detection and Identification of Low-Level Nuclear Waste: A Comparative Analysis,” Journal of Neural Computing and Applications, (in press 08/12/2024), IF: 4.5, citations: 
2. C. Estrada, J. Dickson, Y. Katsenovich, L. Lagos, A. Johs, E. Pierce, “Sorption Kinetics and Stability of Conventional Adsorbents for Mercury Remediation,” Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (2024), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213343724017949?via%3Dihub       IF: 7.4, citations:
3. Y. Katsenovich, V. Drozd, S. Kandel, L. Lagos, M. Asmussen, “The corrosion behavior of borosilicate glass in the presence of cementitious waste forms,”  Dalton Transactions (2024), 53, 12740-12754. DOI: 10.1039/D4DT00855C, https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2024/DT/D4DT00855C  IF: 3.50, citations: 
4. M. Komninakis, J. Syncope, J. C. Nicholson, P. Moore, Y. Rodriguez, L. Lagos, D. Radu, “Determination of Airborne Release Fractions from Loose Powder Contamination Under Impact Stress,” Journal of Nuclear Technology (2024),https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00295450.2024.2345945 IF: 2.93, citations: 0
5. Siddiquee, M., Meray, A., Xu, Z., Gonzalez-Raymat, H., Danielson, T., Upadhyay, H., Lagos, L., Eddy-Dilek, C., Wainwright, H., “Machine Learning Approach for Spatiotemporal Multivariate Optimization of Environmental Monitoring Sensor Locations,” Artificial Intelligence for the Earth Systems (2024),https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/aies/aop/AIES-D-23-0011.1/AIES-D-23-0011.1.xml   IF:     citations: 0
6.  A. Awwad, D. McDaniel, L. Lagos, J. Rivera, B. Tansel, “Effect of ion penetration on the aging of EPDM components used in caustic liquid transfer lines by microscopic analysis,” International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping, (2024), Vol 209, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2024.105173 , IF 3.0, citations:
7. Wainwright, H. M., Powell, B. A., Hoover, M. E., Ayoub, A., Atz, M., Benson, C., Borrelli R., Djokic D., Eddy-Dilek C., Ermakova D., Hayes R., Higley K., Krahn S., Lagos L., Landsberger S., Leggett C., Regalbuto M., Roy W., Shuller-Nickles L., & Ewing, R. C., “Nuclear Waste Educator’s Workshop: What and How Do We Teach About Nuclear Waste?,” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, (2023), 270, 107288, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X23001819. IF: 2.37, citations: 1
8. K. Wu, P. Xiang, R. Ramon, A. Aravelli, L. Lagos, O. Bai, “Assessment of a Modular Upper-Limb Exoskeleton with Powered Assistance,” IEEE Xplore (2023), International Conference on Automation, Robotics and Computer Engineering (ICARCE), https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10492561
9. Aldyaflah, I. M., Zhao, W., Upadhyay, H., & Lagos, L. “The Design and Implementation of a Secure Datastore Based on Ethereum Smart Contract,” Applied Sciences, (2023), 13(9), 5282. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/9/5282 IF: 2.84, citations: 4
10. Zhao, W., Aldyaflah, I. M., Gangwani, P., Joshi, S., Upadhyay, H., Lagos, L. “A Blockchain-Facilitated Secure Sensing Data Processing and Logging System,” IEEE Access, (2023), 11, 21712-21728, https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10058513. IF: 3.9, citations: 14
11. Soni, J., Prabakar, N., Upadhyay, H., & Lagos, L. “MLE-NET: A Multi-Layered Ensemble Approach for an Enhanced Anomaly Detection,” International Journal for Computers & Their Applications, (2023), 30(1), 5-13, Final March 2023 Journal Issue.pdf (isca-hq.org), IF: 0.15, citations:
12. Awwad, A., McDaniel, D., Lagos, L., Rivera, J., & Tansel, B. “Effect of Solution Concentration on Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Nonmetallic Components Used in Caustic Liquid Waste Transfer Lines,” Engineering Failure Analysis (2023), 145, 107007, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1350630722009748  IF:3.73, citations: 2
13. Gangwani, P., Joshi, S., Upadhyay, H., & Lagos, L. (2023). “IoT Device Identity Management and Blockchain for Security and Data Integrity,” International Journal of Computer Applications, (2023), 184(42), 49-55, https://www.ijcaonline.org/archives/volume184/number42/32593-2023922529 IF: 3.17, citations: 4
14. Aldyaflah, I.M., Zhao, W., 1, Upadhyay, H., Lagos, L. “The Design and Implementation of a Secure Datastore Based on Ethereum Smart Contract,” Applied Science, (2023), 13, 5282 (1-29). https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/9/5282. IF: 2.84, citations: 5
15. Meray, A (PhD). O., Sturla, S., Siddiquee, M. R., Serata, R., Uhlemann, S., Gonzalez-Raymat, H., Denham M., Upadhyay H., Lagos L., Eddy-Dilek C. & Wainwright, H. M, “Pylenm: A machine learning framework for long-term groundwater contamination monitoring strategies,” Environmental Science & Technology, (2022), 56(9), 5973-5983. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c07440. IP: 11.4, citations: 13
16. Bhardwaj, T, Reyes, C., Upadhyay, H., Sharma, S., Lagos, L., “Cloudlet-enabled wireless body area networks (WBANs): a systematic review, architecture, and research directions for QoS Improvement,” International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management (2022), 13(4):1531–1555, https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s13198-021-01508-x.pdf IP: 2.02, citations: 09

Additional peer-reviewed journal and conference papers can be found at Google Scholar page:

• https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=en&hl=en&user=BWxG5LMAAAAJ&sortby=pubdate

Research Products

Dr. Lagos is the Principal Investigator (PI) for the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management and Florida International University Cooperative Agreement (No. DE-EM0005213).

Under this CA, Dr. Lagos executes and supervises multi-disciplinary research in areas of robotics and remote systems, AI/LM, generative AI, cyber security, natural language processing, radiochemistry, environmental chemistry, decommissioning, digital decommissioning, and workforce development that directly supports support to the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) mission of accelerated risk reduction and cleanup of the environmental legacy of the nation’s nuclear weapons program. Under this agreement, Dr. Lagos also conducts research efforts for the Office of Legacy Management at DOE. The outcome of this research can be found in the following web portals:

• https://doeresearch.fiu.edu/
• https://www.dndkm.org/

Workforce Development

In 2008, Dr. Lagos established the FIU Science & Technology Workforce Development Initiative (DOE Fellows Program). The program was designed to train and mentor FIU minority students to enter the DOE workforce upon graduation from FIU. Since its inception, the program has formality inducted 203 STEM students. To date, the program has graduating 22 PhDs and 62 Masters, and over 94 undergraduate students. The program has completed a total of 208 internships at DOE facilities in 14 states. A total of 315 oral/poster presentations has been completed by DOE Fellows at national and international conferences. The program has achieved a 98% hiring rates of DOE Fellow that has been hired by federal, state/local, and STEM industry in general.

Additional information on this program can be found at:

• https://fellows.fiu.edu/

Technology Development and Workshops

• 2024 AI Robotics Workshop, Miami, FL
  The Technology Innovation Hub: Applied Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Nuclear Decommissioning Workshop aims to serve as a collaborative platform where industry leaders, academic heads, faculty, and students can engage in insightful discussions to better understand the Robotics/AI landscape.
• Technology Development & Deployment of Robotic and Remote System Tools in Support of DOE EM’s Mission Factsheet

Patent Disclosures, Applications, and Awards

• FIU Patent Disclosure, #FIU496 “Mini-rover Inspection Tool,” submitted, 11/2022
• US Patent 11,630,025 “Robotic Inspection Device”, issued April, 18, 2023.
• US Patent 6447366, M Ali Ebadian, Joseph F Boudreaux, Leonel E Lagos, issued Sept., 10, 2002

Student Mentoring and Training

PhD Students

Brendon Cintas (Mechanical Engineering)
Brendon is a Mechanical Engineering doctoral student at Florida International University, specializing in robotics. His academic journey took a pivotal turn when he embraced robotics, driven by a passion for hands-on creation and technological innovation. This shift was significantly marked by a successful internship at Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS), where he applied his skills in robotics to develop a proof of concept technology to be used at Hanford. Brendon’s work in this field reflects his commitment to pushing boundaries in engineering, showcasing his ability to adapt and excel in dynamic, technology-driven environments. His pursuit in robotics symbolizes a deep-rooted dedication to discovery, knowledge, and engineering integrity.

Joel Adams (Mechanical Engineering)
Joel Adams is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at Florida International University (FIU). While pursuing his bachelor’s degree, Joel joined the robotics lab at the Applied Research Center (ARC) where he developed software for different robotic platforms. He graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in the fall semester of 2019, after which he decided to continue his education through a Ph.D. program at FIU.

Gabriel Cerioni (Mechanical Engineering)
Gabriel Cerioni is pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Florida International University (FIU) and as a DOE Fellow at the FIU’s Applied Research Center (FIU-ARC), his focus is on 3D printing concrete for radiation containment. Before his Ph.D., Gabriel worked with automation and part inspection for the medical industry. Throughout his career, he has implemented simulation, topological optimization, additive manufacturing, and Machine learning techniques for various prototypes and projects including machinery for compression testing of an aircraft landing gear and material property prediction based on composition.

Hari Hara Babu Saripalli (Electrical Engineering)
Hari Hara Babu Saripalli is an emerging Ph.D. researcher in the field of Nuclear Robotics, currently contributing his expertise at the Applied Research Center (ARC). With a strong foundation in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Hari Hara brings a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to his role. Hari Hara’s research interests lie at the intersection of Autonomous Systems, Intelligent Systems, and Robotics. His work primarily focuses on Unmanned Platforms, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs).
Throughout his academic career, Hari Hara has demonstrated a passion for outer space exploration, participating in various projects including miniature satellites like CUBESATS, CANSATS, & DISCSATS, as well as high-speed rocketry, developing 2-stage rockets capable of achieving Mach 1-3 speeds. Hari Hara’s multidisciplinary background allows him to approach complex problems in nuclear robotics with a unique perspective. His experience in both electrical engineering and aerospace projects positions him at the forefront of innovative research in autonomous systems for challenging environments. As a recent graduate embarking on his research career, Hari Hara Babu Saripalli represents the next generation of scientists working to advance the fields of nuclear robotics and autonomous systems.

Master Students