goal statment for phd and academic career

My tendency to physics and mathematics led me to consider a career as an engineer. I consulted with different experts. Also, I had watched several documentaries understood that the world could be in danger of extinction because of climate change; I needed to choose a major with a significant impact on the world, civil engineering as a major that included real-world problems and influenced millions of people's lives selected. My fascination with research began in my undergraduate study when I joined the concrete team in the second year. There was excellent teamwork. My responsibilities included: collecting data, preparing samples, and analyzing results. Eventually, we acquired first place in the Iranian ACI competition in our third attempt among 31 teams. Simultaneously, I worked as a laboratory assistant to learn laboratory maintenance and concrete tests methods. After that, I desired to experience teaching. Fortunately, by requesting a department soil mechanics professor, I gained this experience. Even though it was challenging for an undergraduate student, it was satisfying. Since my long-term plan, I had always attended summer terms to have more time to work on my graduation projects and prepare for the "Konkour, " the only way to gain admission to top Iranian universities to continue my education. I have studied for 8-10 hours in 10 months for its preparation in the last year of my bachelor's. Simultaneously I enrolled in a 110-hour class to learn and practice numerical modeling and seismic design with Etabs and Safe. Both efforts yielded terrific results in the end. As a result of a competitive process, I ranked 432 out of 350000 civil engineering students and was accepted to K. N. Toosi University. I decided on geotechnical engineering for my graduate career. Because the soil is full of uncertainty regarding materials, discovering it could be the most enjoyable part of my job because I am a person that enjoys sophisticated topics. I chose a geotechnical engineering master's program with a strong environmental focus in response to a quote from Dr. Terzaghi: "Unfortunately, the soil is not created by people, and natural products are always complex. " As a result, it was an excellent decision for me. During my graduate study, I learned numerical modeling methods and programming. In many cases, physical modeling is infeasible and not cost-effective, so I learned non-destructive test methods and computer modeling. Additionally, I can program all FEM elements in MATLAB using the fundamental formulas of FEM, and all calculations can be performed manually. I can use elastic and plastic behavior models of soil mechanics; Due to the wide range of projects I have worked on, I possess a ready brain for learning and doing any numerical project. When my thesis topic was defined, the covid-19 pandemic restricted the use of the laboratory, making my research demanding. I conducted large-scale and laboratory tests to evaluate the behavior of construction and demolition aggregate and waste glass blend reinforced with geogrid over the soft bed; the purpose was to reduce using natural aggregates. During testing, I had to replace and compact about 16 to 20 tons of material per test and hired labor from my pocket for about three months to help me. However, despite my large-scale experiment, I was the first to begin the investigation, complete the laboratory research, and write the experimental research manuscript (36 students started their master's with me). Aside from that, I worked as a Laboratory Assistant. Working with a research team and laboratory assistant, I learned about geosynthetics and recycled material and crept evaluation of buried pipe and EPS over reinforced soil layers. Additionally, Dr. Moghaddas Tafreshi and I are preparing a paper extracted from my thesis, which progressed about 90%. As a result of this article, my analytical writing skills and research attitude have improved. The unfortunate issue in my graduate study was my severe medical illness. My disease was Hyperthyroidism; however, the medical error and late recognition led to severe liver toxicity caused and advanced hyperthyroidism. After six months, my health improved, but after months because of a thyroid nodule, recrudesced finally with radioactive iodine therapy, I got my total health after about 1. 5 years (documents are available). This health condition caused a low GPA, but I endeavored; my GPA enhanced from 2. 62 to 3. 72 after better health conditions. The GPA of my last 70% of master's credits is 3. 47. This Iranian quote was the source of my motivation, "If you intend to achieve your goal, you have the potential to succeed. " (Hoping it is not an accident). I took the GRE in order to prove my academic quality for a Ph. D. in the US and got a 325 overall score. Because I had a Ph. D. in mind, I decided to work for a short time to comprehend my major in a better way. Before that, I needed to grasp geotechnical ideas' fundamentals and understand problems. I traveled more than 1800 kilometers to the project in the southeast of Iran to better understand the soft beds used in my research. We were working in challenging conditions even though my attitude to my research was broadened. I worked with total strangers, but we also made perfect teamwork. Then I was on three deep excavation projects, which included excavation stabilization systems by nailing, anchorage, Berlin wall, struts, and retaining structure experience. I acknowledged their impact on the environment, and waste would be produced on their process. I am interested in specific research topics, such as materials characterization, applications, and evaluating existing and developing new design guidelines related to resiliency, sustainability, waste management, and natural hazards, where professor Burak Tanyu is working. I have known professor Tanyu since 2019, with his article which my supervisor sent me about geocell reinforced soil over soft beds used EPS as a soft bed replacement was an ingenious idea; in addition to his genius ideas, I also found more interest in his pavement geotechnics and embankment studies with an environmental approach. These are like my large-scale tests on reinforced soil, where I conducted plate load tests. In my graduate study research, I faced challenges associated with recycled materials since their properties vary depending on the source and recycling method. Besides, I have a background working in concrete manufacturing and concrete testing laboratories, so I am knowledgeable about different types of concrete. Reusing recycled concrete aggregate for geotechnical purposes may require evaluation of its behavior. Reconsidering that I want to continue my earlier research, I want to pursue my Ph. D. under the supervision of professor Tanyu to learn a new approach and methods; the SGI research group offers innovative projects. Its labs and facilities are equipped with the latest technology, and facilities to conduct experiments will prepare me for an academic career. The SGI research projects on reclaimed asphalt pavement conducted field tests and reused recycled concrete aggregate; both are impressive. There are several reasons Ph. D. study could help me. It could enable me to be a professor who encounters new challenges every day as I am an adventurous person, so that it would seem satisfying. Being a researcher could help impact the world; according to the book "The One Thing, " the Domino effect means the domino can topple many things and even bigger things. Moreover, based on research, a single piece of domino can turn 50% larger piece; if a domino is one foot high, the 30th domino can topple the domino as high as Mount Everest. In science, this occurs regularly; previous research is like domino pieces, and new researchers can make larger domino pieces in the long term based on prior research. As a result, further research should be pursued to address more significant environmental problems for the next generation. I am motivated because my country has experienced the damaging effects of the mismanagement of waste materials. I want to create giant dominos to have a more significant impact. I believe the Ph. D. program at George Mason University will enhance my ability to solve technical problems. On the other hand, I can use my problem-solving skills, knowledge and learn to do excellent research, publish papers, and secure a patent. During my time at George Mason University, I hope to demonstrate my research and academic capabilities to make the world a better place. I am seeking admission to the Ph. D. program of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering. My strong faith in my abilities inspires me to renew my education in the best way possible with multiple awards and honors. No matter what obstacles I face, I will accept them.