Xiao (Shawn) Pan

Xiao (Shawn) Pan

Assistant Professor; Visiting Researcher

About me

I am an Assistant Professor at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). My research falls in smart and resilient structural and construction engineering, which involves the development and application of machine learning, deep learning, robots, computer vision, sensor fusion, and innovative structural components and systems, to enhance the engineering practice through computer simulations, laboratory tests, and field validations.

Recent news

  • Apr 2025, our recent review article titled “A review of recent advances in data driven computer vision methods for structural damage evaluation: algorithms, applications, challenges, and future opportunities”, has been published in Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering. The paper presents a comprehensive review of computer vision-based structural damage assessment, which discusses algorithm architectures, engineering applications, compliance with codes and guidelines, existing challenges, and future opportunities on Multimodal Vision Language Models, vision-enhanced multi-sensor fusion, and vision-equipped mobile inspection.
  • Jan 2025, our collaborative project about Large-scale shake table tests on a controlled rocking high-rise building has been completed at the International Joint Research Laboratory of Earthquake Engineering (ILEE) in Shanghai. The project is led by the research teams at UBC (Dr. Tony Yang) and Tongji University (Dr. Yiqiu Lu), while other research teams at the University of Canterbury (Dr. Geoff Rodgers), South China University of Technology (Dr. Shuang Hou), and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Dr. Xiao Pan) contributed to the design and instrumentation of the project. In this project, I have led a team to investigate large language models, computer vision, 3D point clouds, and gyroscope technologies for high-precision measurement of the high-rise structure.
  • Dec 2024, the research teams at the Smart Infrastructure and Construction Research Cluster (SICRC) at UBC secured a major research grant (CAD$8.3 million) titled “Accelerated code implementation of high-performance energy efficient and carbon-neutral modular buildings”, funded by National Resources Canada (NRCan) and National Research Council Canada (NRC). As a Co-Investigator, I have led a team to develop and validate large language models for sensor-based monitoring of modular buildings.
  • Nov 2024, our paper titled “Assessment of out-of-plane structural defects using parallel laser line scanning system” was awarded the Structural Excellence Award by The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.
  • Oct 2024, I joined the Smart Infrastructure and Construction Research Cluster (SICRC) at UBC as an Affiliated Board Member. The SICRC comprises elite researchers and leading industrial partners in Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Construction Management, to catalyze interdisciplinary research on smart infrastructure technologies.
  • Aug 2024, I received the Mitacs Globalink Research Award to conduct collaborative research between UBC and Imperial College London.
  • Aug 2024, the UBC Smart Structures Research Group secured the Mitacs Accelerate Fund titled “Smart Automated AI-Driven Digital Construction using 5G network”, funded by Mitacs and Rogers Communication (top 3 telecom company in Canada). As a Co-Investigator, I have led a team to develop computer vision and point cloud techniques for construction site monitoring.
  • May 2024, I joined the Editorial Board of the Sensors Journal.
  • Nov 2023, I joined the Editorial Board of the Journal of Intelligent Construction.
  • Aug 2023, I joined the Editorial Board of the Frontiers in Built Environment Journal.
  • Jan 2023, as a Postdoc and PM, I led subprojects funded by the NSERC Grant “High-Performance Modular Tall Buildings Toward Resilient Constructions”, in collaboration with FPInnovation.
  • Jan 2023, as a Postdoc and PM, I led subprojects funded by the NSERC Grant “Next-Generation Wood Construction Project”. The research team consists of leading researchers across 10+ universities in Canada.
  • Jan 2023, as a Postdoc and PM, I led subprojects funded by the NSERC Grant “Design and assessment of frameless system for seismic applications”, in collaboration with Behlen Industries.
  • Mar 2022, I received the Highly Cited Article Award for my paper titled “Seismic control of rocking structures via external resonators” published in Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics journal.
  • Between 2020-2022, I received the President’s Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award at UBC.
  • Oct 2019, I received the Faculty of Applied Science Award and Civil Engineering PhD Excellence Award at UBC.

(NSERC: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; NRCan: National Resources Canada; NRC: National Research Council Canada; Mitacs: Nonprofit National Research Organization in Canada; FPInnovation: Nonprofit R&D organization in Canada; Rogers Communications: Top 3 telecom company in Canada; Behlen Industries: Canada’s largest manufacturer of steel building systems)