Oladoyin Kolawole
Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
233 Colton Hall (COLT)
About Me
Dr. Oladoyin Kolawole is an Assistant Professor of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and also the Faculty Coordinator for the Geosystems Minor program at NJIT. He received his PhD from Texas Tech University and his MS degree from the University of Miskolc, Hungary. He pioneered the “biogeomechanics” concept, which studies the mechanical behavior of rocks in response to biologically induced reactions.
His research combines experimental and computational methods to fundamentally understand and model the spatio-temporal relationship between the mechanical responses and the physical attributes of porous media, triggered by natural or man-made actions to address engineering problems. Additionally, He studies how geomaterials respond mechanically to biologically induced processes for engineered systems.
Dr. Kolawole currently serves on the Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering (COGGE) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). His contributions have been recognized with the 2022 Future Leader Award and the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA), as well as participation in the 2025 Frontiers of Engineering program of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), among other awards. He is an editorial board member of Nature Scientific Reports and Discover Civil Engineering journals.
His research combines experimental and computational methods to fundamentally understand and model the spatio-temporal relationship between the mechanical responses and the physical attributes of porous media, triggered by natural or man-made actions to address engineering problems. Additionally, He studies how geomaterials respond mechanically to biologically induced processes for engineered systems.
Dr. Kolawole currently serves on the Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering (COGGE) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). His contributions have been recognized with the 2022 Future Leader Award and the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA), as well as participation in the 2025 Frontiers of Engineering program of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), among other awards. He is an editorial board member of Nature Scientific Reports and Discover Civil Engineering journals.
Education
Ph.D.
; Texas Tech University
; Petroleum Engineering - Geomechanics
; 2021
M.S. ; University of Miskolc ; Petroleum Engineering ; 2018
B.S. ; Rivers State University ; Petroleum Engineering ; 2012
M.S. ; University of Miskolc ; Petroleum Engineering ; 2018
B.S. ; Rivers State University ; Petroleum Engineering ; 2012
Awards & Honors
2025 Nexus Excellence in Graduate Instruction Award, New Jersey Institute of Technology
2022 Future Leader Award, American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
2020 Distinguished Service Award, American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
Website
2026 Spring Courses
CE 491 - RESEARCH EXPER-CIVIL ENGR
CE 700B - MASTERS PROJECT
CE 644 - APPLIED ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
CE 725 - INDEPENDENT STUDY I
CE 726 - INDEPENDENT STUDY II
CE 790A - DOCT DISSERTATION & RES
CE 701B - MASTER'S THESIS
CE 701C - MASTER'S THESIS
CE 490 - CIVIL ENGR PROJECTS
CE 727 - INDEPENDENT RESEARCH III
CE 792 - PRE-DOCTORAL DISSERTATION
CE 700B - MASTERS PROJECT
CE 644 - APPLIED ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
CE 725 - INDEPENDENT STUDY I
CE 726 - INDEPENDENT STUDY II
CE 790A - DOCT DISSERTATION & RES
CE 701B - MASTER'S THESIS
CE 701C - MASTER'S THESIS
CE 490 - CIVIL ENGR PROJECTS
CE 727 - INDEPENDENT RESEARCH III
CE 792 - PRE-DOCTORAL DISSERTATION
Teaching Interests
CE 645 - Rock Mechanics
CE 644 - Applied Engineering Geology
CE 662 - Deep Underground Engineering
CE 463 - Underground Geotechnics, Construction, and Sustainability
CE 644 - Applied Engineering Geology
CE 662 - Deep Underground Engineering
CE 463 - Underground Geotechnics, Construction, and Sustainability
Past Courses
CE 644: APPLIED ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
CE 645: ROCK MECHANICS
CE 662: DEEP UNDERGROUND ENGINEERING AND RESOURCES
CE 702: ST: ENERGY FROM UNDERGROUND RESOURCES
CE 791: GRADUATE SEMINAR
CE 645: ROCK MECHANICS
CE 662: DEEP UNDERGROUND ENGINEERING AND RESOURCES
CE 702: ST: ENERGY FROM UNDERGROUND RESOURCES
CE 791: GRADUATE SEMINAR
Research Interests
Dr. Kolawole’s Geomechanics for Geo-Engineering and Sustainability (GGES) Lab aims to develop new knowledge and technologies at the intersection of mechanics, porous media and engineered systems in the areas of:
- Mechanics of Porous Media and Coupled Processes
- Natural and Built Infrastructure
- Energy Systems and Resources
For more information, visit: https://www.gges-lab.com
- Mechanics of Porous Media and Coupled Processes
- Natural and Built Infrastructure
- Energy Systems and Resources
For more information, visit: https://www.gges-lab.com
Journal Article
P. Khadka, Oladoyin Kolawole.
2026. "Insights into clay contributions to slope instability in coastal areas: Hydraulic and mechanical properties."
Progress in Engineering Science , vol. 3 , no. 1 , pp. 100189.
C. Mgiba, Oladoyin Kolawole. 2026. "Timber-Support Risk Mitigation Framework (TRF) in underground mining: A mechanistic, cost-benefit and risk assessment approach for artisanal and small-scale mining of critical minerals." Resources Policy , vol. 113 , pp. 105853.
M. C. Ngoma, Oladoyin Kolawole. 2026. "Mechanistic Insights Across Curing Regimes for Enzymatic and Biopolymer-Optimized Reinforcement in Rock Masses." Deep Underground Science and Engineering .
C. Mgiba, Oladoyin Kolawole. 2026. "Mechanisms Influencing Timber Support Integrity for Rock Collapse Mitigation in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining." Rock Mechanics Bulletin , pp. 100279.
S. I. Eyitayo, T. Gamadi, Oladoyin Kolawole, M. C. Watson. 2025. "Experimental study of scCO2 injection strategies: Effects on geochemical reactions and reservoir properties in sandstone and carbonate formations." Gas Science and Engineering , vol. 140 , pp. 205660.
C. Mgiba, Oladoyin Kolawole. 2026. "Timber-Support Risk Mitigation Framework (TRF) in underground mining: A mechanistic, cost-benefit and risk assessment approach for artisanal and small-scale mining of critical minerals." Resources Policy , vol. 113 , pp. 105853.
M. C. Ngoma, Oladoyin Kolawole. 2026. "Mechanistic Insights Across Curing Regimes for Enzymatic and Biopolymer-Optimized Reinforcement in Rock Masses." Deep Underground Science and Engineering .
C. Mgiba, Oladoyin Kolawole. 2026. "Mechanisms Influencing Timber Support Integrity for Rock Collapse Mitigation in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining." Rock Mechanics Bulletin , pp. 100279.
S. I. Eyitayo, T. Gamadi, Oladoyin Kolawole, M. C. Watson. 2025. "Experimental study of scCO2 injection strategies: Effects on geochemical reactions and reservoir properties in sandstone and carbonate formations." Gas Science and Engineering , vol. 140 , pp. 205660.
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Chapter
M. M. Hasan, F. Oppong, Matthew P. Adams, Oladoyin Kolawole.
"Evaluation of Engineering Properties of Portland Limestone Cement-Based Systems and Their Application for Underground Infrastructure."
In M.S. Beauregard, A.S. Budge , eds.,
"Geotechnical Frontiers 2025: Geotechnical Infrastructure,"
pp. 363-371. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2025.
M. C. Ngoma, Oladoyin Kolawole. "Experimental Study of the Impact of Porosity on Bio-Induced Cementation in Clay-rich and Dolomite-rich Rocks Using MICP." In M.S. Beauregard, A.S. Budge , eds., "Geotechnical Frontiers 2025: Soil Characterization and Improvement," pp. 155-162. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2025.
P. Khadka, Oladoyin Kolawole, A. C. Amenuvor, M. L. Ankah. "Numerical Modeling of Contributing Factors to Rainfall-Induced Slope Failure: New Jersey Case Study." In M.S. Beauregard, A.S. Budge , eds., "Geotechnical Frontiers 2025: Foundations, Retaining Structures, and Geosynthetics," pp. 200-209. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2025.
O Ozotta, Oladoyin Kolawole. "Nanoscale investigation of CO2-induced geomechanical alterations in shale reservoirs." "SEG Global Meeting Abstracts," pp. 306-310. Society of Exploration Geophysicists, 2024.
S. Rehmatullah, Oladoyin Kolawole, V. Shah. "Investigating the Influence of Water Salinity Concentrations on Thermal Conductivity of Soils for Buried Infrastructure Systems Reliant on Heat Transfer." In T.M. Evans, N. Stark, S. Chang , eds., "Geo-Congress 2024: Soil Improvement, Sustainability, Geoenvironmental, and Cold Regions Engineering," pp. 582 - 590. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2024.
Oladoyin Kolawole, Rayan Hassane Assaad, M C Ngoma, O Ozotta. "An Artificial Neural Network Model for Predicting Microbial-Induced Alteration of Rock Strength." In E. Rathje, B.M. Montoya, & M.H. Wayne , eds., "GSP 340 - Geotechnical Characterization," pp. 243 - 251. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2023.
M. C. Ngoma, Oladoyin Kolawole. "Experimental Study of the Impact of Porosity on Bio-Induced Cementation in Clay-rich and Dolomite-rich Rocks Using MICP." In M.S. Beauregard, A.S. Budge , eds., "Geotechnical Frontiers 2025: Soil Characterization and Improvement," pp. 155-162. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2025.
P. Khadka, Oladoyin Kolawole, A. C. Amenuvor, M. L. Ankah. "Numerical Modeling of Contributing Factors to Rainfall-Induced Slope Failure: New Jersey Case Study." In M.S. Beauregard, A.S. Budge , eds., "Geotechnical Frontiers 2025: Foundations, Retaining Structures, and Geosynthetics," pp. 200-209. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2025.
O Ozotta, Oladoyin Kolawole. "Nanoscale investigation of CO2-induced geomechanical alterations in shale reservoirs." "SEG Global Meeting Abstracts," pp. 306-310. Society of Exploration Geophysicists, 2024.
S. Rehmatullah, Oladoyin Kolawole, V. Shah. "Investigating the Influence of Water Salinity Concentrations on Thermal Conductivity of Soils for Buried Infrastructure Systems Reliant on Heat Transfer." In T.M. Evans, N. Stark, S. Chang , eds., "Geo-Congress 2024: Soil Improvement, Sustainability, Geoenvironmental, and Cold Regions Engineering," pp. 582 - 590. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2024.
Oladoyin Kolawole, Rayan Hassane Assaad, M C Ngoma, O Ozotta. "An Artificial Neural Network Model for Predicting Microbial-Induced Alteration of Rock Strength." In E. Rathje, B.M. Montoya, & M.H. Wayne , eds., "GSP 340 - Geotechnical Characterization," pp. 243 - 251. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2023.
Conference Paper
"Experimental Study of the Effect of Porosity on EICP Biomineralization in Dolostone and Shales Under Uniaxial Compressive Stress Condition"
58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2024.
"Investigation of the Failure Mechanisms for Inducing Rock Slope Hazard in New Jersey, United States"
58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2024.
"Rock Mechanical Characterization of Epoxy-Based Grouted Sandstone"
58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2024.
"Impact of Geomechanics on the Development of Hydrothermal Fluid Pathways in Enhanced Geothermal Systems: A Review"
57th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2023.
"Sub-Core Scale Characterization of Microbial Invasion Impact in Carbonates: Implications for Mechanical Alteration"
57th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2023.
58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2024.
"Investigation of the Failure Mechanisms for Inducing Rock Slope Hazard in New Jersey, United States"
58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2024.
"Rock Mechanical Characterization of Epoxy-Based Grouted Sandstone"
58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2024.
"Impact of Geomechanics on the Development of Hydrothermal Fluid Pathways in Enhanced Geothermal Systems: A Review"
57th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2023.
"Sub-Core Scale Characterization of Microbial Invasion Impact in Carbonates: Implications for Mechanical Alteration"
57th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, June, 2023.
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Conference Proceeding
"Assessing the Effect of Thermal Maturation on the Mechanical Properties of Organic Matter in Bakken Shale Using Atomic Force Microscopy"
AGU Fall Meeting, December, 2021.
"Characterization of the Elastic Properties of Bakken Shales Using Nanoindentation and Homogenization Methods"
AGU Fall Meeting 2021, December, 2021.
"Compensation Effect in Source Rock Kinetics: Influence of Bitumen Formation"
Geological Society of America, October (4th Quarter/Autumn), 2021.
"Effect of Biogeomechanical Altered Properties on Geologic Carbon Storage in Unconventional Reservoirs"
AGU 2020 Fall Meeting, December, 2020.
"Impact of Maturation Processes on Organic Matter in Shales: Implication for Geologic Carbon Sequestration"
Geological Society of America, October (4th Quarter/Autumn), 2020.
"Optimization of Hydraulic Fracturing Design in Unconventional Formations: Impact of Treatment Parameters"
SPE, October (4th Quarter/Autumn), 2019.
AGU Fall Meeting, December, 2021.
"Characterization of the Elastic Properties of Bakken Shales Using Nanoindentation and Homogenization Methods"
AGU Fall Meeting 2021, December, 2021.
"Compensation Effect in Source Rock Kinetics: Influence of Bitumen Formation"
Geological Society of America, October (4th Quarter/Autumn), 2021.
"Effect of Biogeomechanical Altered Properties on Geologic Carbon Storage in Unconventional Reservoirs"
AGU 2020 Fall Meeting, December, 2020.
"Impact of Maturation Processes on Organic Matter in Shales: Implication for Geologic Carbon Sequestration"
Geological Society of America, October (4th Quarter/Autumn), 2020.
"Optimization of Hydraulic Fracturing Design in Unconventional Formations: Impact of Treatment Parameters"
SPE, October (4th Quarter/Autumn), 2019.
Professional
Nature's Scientific Reports
Editorial Board , 2025
Discover Civil Engineering
Editorial Board , 2024
The Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering (COGGE): National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)
Committee Member , 2024
American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
Committee Member , 2023
Editorial Board , 2025
Discover Civil Engineering
Editorial Board , 2024
The Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering (COGGE): National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)
Committee Member , 2024
American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
Committee Member , 2023