Paving a sustainable future, one road at a time

ASU researcher creates bio-based materials for transportation infrastructure and mentors the next generation

How do you honor someone who is a transformative figure in transportation and construction, leads groundbreaking research, supports inclusive education, leads globally and mentors students?

If you’re the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, you nominate Elham “Ellie” Fini, an associate professor of construction in the Del E. Webb School of Construction, for the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, or ARTBA, Excellence in Academia Award.

Fini’s research focuses on advancing sustainable materials and practices in construction, resource conservation and the advancement of the bioeconomy. Fini also has co-authored a widely used textbook to help educators bring bioeconomy concepts into the classroom and expand awareness of this emerging field.

“I’m driven by the opportunity to improve environmental health and strengthen community resilience,” says Fini, also a senior global futures scientist at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. “I strive toward this goal by advancing sustainable practices in construction and transportation, while also creating pathways for the next generation of innovators.”

The ARTBA Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes research, education and public awareness about the impacts of transportation investment, honored Fini and four other awardees during the Women Leaders in Transportation Design & Construction Awards at ARTBA’s national convention in Irving, Texas, on Sept. 29, 2025. Fini received the Excellence in Academia Award for her outstanding research contributions, impact on practice and student mentorship.

Fulton Schools Associate Professor Elham Fini (center) is honored with the Excellence in Academia Award by the ARTBA Foundation along with four other award winners during the Women Leaders in Transportation Design & Construction Awards at ARTBA’s national convention in Irving, Texas, on Sept. 29, 2025. Photo courtesy of Carrie Halpern/ARTBA

Through more than 230 journal publications and 11,700 citations with an h-index of 62 — meaning 62 of her papers have been cited at least 62 times — Fini has laid the foundation for a more sustainable transportation sector. Her research has been covered by many media outlets, including Wired, CNBC and BBC Women in STEM. 

“Ellie’s research matters because it addresses one of the most pressing challenges in transportation — creating longer-lasting, more sustainable infrastructure that reduces costs and environmental impacts,” says Ram Pendyala, a Fulton Schools professor of civil, environmental and sustainable engineering, and director of the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment.

Fini has taught more than 2,000 students, built project-based learning models, mentored 73 student researchers, launched international student exchanges and fostered collaborations across Europe.

“Equally important is her commitment to students. She engages them in cutting-edge research projects, mentors them closely and gives them opportunities to present, publish and connect with industry,” Pendyala says. “In doing so, she is shaping the next generation of construction and pavement engineers and scholars who will carry this work forward.”

Research that makes a difference

Construction and transportation materials play a critical role in shaping emissions, resource use and long-term sustainability, Fini says.

“By developing and deploying sustainable alternatives, we can build infrastructure that is not only more resilient, but also more equitable, environmentally responsible and aligned with broader goals of resource conservation,” says Fini, who also serves as director of the Innovation Network for Materials, Methods and Management .

Fini works on converting biomass end-of-life products into high-performance, bio-based materials that reduce dependence on petroleum, especially in construction and transportation infrastructure.

“Our team has developed a new class of bio-based and bio-inspired binders that significantly lower emissions, enhance pavement durability and contribute to climate goals,” she says.

Fini and her team’s work has resulted in 12 patents issued with 16 more pending, and it is helping to redefine the future of construction and transportation materials.

“My group’s efforts contribute to resource conservation by leveraging chemistry-driven design principles to develop novel materials from biomass and algae, using an innovative biorefinery approach,” she says.

“We nominated Ellie because she embodies the very essence of the ARTBA Excellence in Academia Award. Her scholarship is use-inspired, industry-engaged and deeply impactful,” Pendyala says. “Her pioneering work in sustainable pavement materials and innovative asphalt binders is not only advancing the science but also shaping real-world practice.”

Fini has built strong collaborations with agencies and industry partners, ensuring that her research translates into meaningful improvements in how transportation infrastructure is designed, built and maintained, says Timothy Becker, eminent scholar and programs chair of the Del E. Webb School of Construction. She is also an extraordinarily productive scholar whose creativity and vision are transforming pavement design and construction, he says.

“Fini is an outstanding faculty member with a commitment to laboratory-based research and innovative teaching methods,” Becker says. “We also appreciate her willingness to conduct collaborative research and to fertilize synergies between the construction and architecture programs at ASU.”

Shaping the next generation of innovators

Fini says teaching and mentoring are core to her identity as both a researcher and educator.

“I believe that when students are trusted with real-world challenges and equipped with the tools to explore creative solutions, they consistently rise to the occasion,” she says.

Throughout her academic career, Fini has developed project-based learning programs, international exchange opportunities and collaborative research experiences, all aimed at empowering students to become globally-minded, solutions-driven leaders.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my work has been mentoring students to become innovators,” she says. “During their time at ASU, some of their inventions received patent recognition, and many have since embarked on successful careers as inventors and entrepreneurs, transforming their ideas into meaningful real-world impact.”

As a Fulbright Scholar at Aalborg University of Denmark and an Invention Ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Lemelson Foundation, Fini has taught and mentored diverse groups of learners both inside and outside academia.

“These experiences have deepened my conviction that invention is not just innate, it is a learned and nurtured skill,” Fini says. “When combined with empathy, perseverance and the right mentorship, it can lead to transformative, use-inspired solutions that address real societal needs.”

Fini inspires her students to tackle big challenges with confidence and purpose.

“Her work is advancing the state of the art while training the leaders of tomorrow, and we could not be more proud of her recognition with this prestigious award,” Becker says.

What’s next

Many societal challenges transcend national borders, so solutions have the potential to amplify U.S. leadership and impact on a global scale, Fini says.

For instance, the challenges faced in Arizona’s drylands closely parallel those in regions such as South Africa and the Middle East, she says.

“This shared context has led to externally funded projects, including recent support from Qatar, in collaboration with international partners who have sought our team’s expertise at ASU,” Fini says.

Innovation and incorporating an array of viewpoints must go hand in hand, she says.

“The work we do in the lab is important, but the culture we build around that work is just as critical,” Fini says. “I strive to create environments where teams from a variety of backgrounds can thrive, where mentorship is ongoing and where ideas are shaped by a range of experiences and perspectives. This approach is essential if we are to develop use-inspired solutions that are truly impactful and scalable.”