Sondos Hlayhel, a Ph.D. student in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the Cullen College of Engineering, is the 2025–26 recipient of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Foundation’s Houston Chapter’s fellowship.
The ACI Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of ACI that promotes progress, innovation and collaboration in the concrete industry through strategic investments in ideas, research and people to create the future of the concrete industry.
Hlayhel is advised by Konrad J. Krakowiak, an associate professor in the CEE Department. On getting the news that she had been selected for the honor, she said she felt “genuinely honored.”
“It felt like a mix of gratitude, pride and motivation all at once,” she said. “I’ve worked hard in my academic and research journey, but having an organization as prestigious as ACI recognize my potential gave me a strong sense of validation. It also reminded me that I’m part of a much larger community that supports a wide range of research and educational initiatives keeping the concrete industry at the forefront of technological advances in material composition, design and construction.”
Hlayhel earned two degrees in physics at Lebanese University in Lebanon, and a master’s degree in civil engineering from École normale supérieure Paris-Saclay in Gif-sur-Yvette, France. She decided to come to the University of Houston for her doctorate after meeting with Krakowiak and Ahmed Senouci, a professor in the Construction Management program.
“A pivotal conversation with Dr. Krakowiak and Dr. Senouci gave me insight into the collaborative, research-driven environment and the strong mentorship available, especially in cementitious materials, my field of interest,” she said. “UH offered everything I was looking for – academic rigor, advanced research facilities and a welcoming atmosphere for international students. What truly set it apart was the opportunity to work closely with faculty whose research I had long admired, making my goal of advancing in the U.S. a reality.”
While Hlayhel was glad to earn the fellowship, she stressed that it would not have been possible without the many people who had played a vital role in her academic journey, starting with those close to home.
“I’m especially grateful to my twin sister, Sarah,” she said. “We’ve shared every step, from school to our current research group. My path has been profoundly shaped by my supervisor, Dr. Krakowiak, whose mentorship combines deep expertise in cementitious materials with strong encouragement for intellectual independence and critical thinking.”
“I’m also thankful to Dr. Roberto Ballarini, the chairman of our department, for his generous recommendation, and to Dr. Hicham Al Falou from Lebanese University, for his support with my ACI Foundation application. I would also like to thank Dr. Louay El Soufi at the Lebanese University, who encouraged us to join the program at École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, an experience that greatly influenced my academic direction.”
Hlayhel added that she also needed to give a heartfelt thanks to her husband.
“His unwavering support has been a source of strength throughout,” she said. “There are so many others who’ve helped along the way, I often say it would take a whole journal to thank them all properly.”
Going forward, Hlayhel hopes to build on her current research, which is the study of the interfacial stereochemical effects that cause the nucleation, growth and self-assembly of calcium–silicate–hydrate (C-S-H) in reactive colloidal cement systems.
“My goal is to support the development of high-performance concrete systems suitable for both conventional and accelerated construction technologies,” she said. “Whether through continued research, industry collaboration or technology development, I want to play an active role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for our infrastructure.”