A structural and mechanical engineer, and artificial intelligence scientist, Dariusz Alterman’s career spans research and development, science and technology, innovation and education. After completing a PhD in civil engineering supported by the NATO Science for Peace Program, he was awarded two prestigious international postdoctoral research fellowships in Japan and New Zealand. Subsequently, at the University of Newcastle he has established productive relationships between industry and academia whilst leading the Energy Efficiency Research Group.
His multidisciplinary background and expertise in many fields has resulted in several novel developments, in particular a pioneering technique in the dynamic thermal assessment of buildings, a numerical analysis of methane explosions in underground mines and a randomness model to predict cancer cell distribution. He is passionate about solving the challenges facing Australian’s carbon emission economy by looking for a seamless and efficient transition from current high carbon-based solutions to more climate-resilient techniques for new and existing constructions.
With focus on project and problem-based learning, Dariusz is looking for a holistic approach to a student experience built around hands-on projects and links between teaching and research. He believes motivation, positive environment, problem-solving, critical analysis and thinking will maximize students’ achievements in their future professional practice and responsibilities towards society. He was the recipient of an excellence in teaching awards in 2020 from Newcastle International College to support his efforts in teaching engineering courses.
Professional memberships
- FIEAust, Fellow of Engineers Australia
- JSPSAAA, Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences, Alumni Association in Australia
- The Masonry Society
Awards and fellowships
- Research Fellowship from the University of Newcastle and Thick Brick Australia, Australia, 2009-2011
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from Foundation for Research Science & Technology and AUT, New Zealand, 2007-2009
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from The Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS), Japan, 2005-2007
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from The Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland, 2005
Potential research projects for HDR and Honours students
- Energy efficiency of buildings
- Probabilistic risk assessments due to blast load and earthquake loads
- Mitigation of heat island effect
Research areas
- Structural and stochastic analysis
- Design and maintenance of bridges
- Blast load analysis and numerical methods
- Energy efficiency and smart buildings
- Sustainable structures and composite materials
- Masonry structures
- Quantitative image analysis
- Artificial Intelligence techniques
Teaching areas
- Statics and Engineering Mechanics
- Theory of Structures
- Engineering Computations and Probability
- Civil Engineering Materials
- CIV200 Structural Analysis and Computer Modelling
- ENG102 - Engineering Statics
Program coordinator
Dr Dariusz Alterman’s specialist areas of knowledge include structural engineering, masonry and bridge structures, physical and mechanical properties of composite materials, risk and benefits decision-based analysis, reliability affected by stochastic air blast variabilities, energy efficiency of buildings, image analysis, statistical and artificial intelligence methods.