We are very excited to share that our Structural team has grown yet again – welcoming Maryam Hasanali to the HERA fold this week!

Finding structural engineers with strong research capability is always challenging, so bringing Maryam onboard is a fantastic win for our members and the wider industry, as she brings around 10 years’ experience in research and consulting having worked predominantly in Aotearoa New Zealand and her home country, Iran. We must admit, it is also nice to have another female engineer in the building too!

Throughout her career Maryam has dedicated herself to the seismic design, analysis, and assessment of diverse structures, encompassing residential and commercial buildings. Her expertise extending across a spectrum of structural systems, including concrete, post-tensioned concrete, hot-rolled steel, and cold-formed steel.

maryam-hassanali
HERA Structural Engineer, Maryam Hassanali.

She also has experience with the seismic control of structures, exploring innovative strategies to enhance the stability and safety of structures under dynamic loads. In addition, she also has studied lightweight structural systems, providing valuable insights into their behavior and performance.

Throughout her career trajectory Maryam has continued to hone her skills in structural optimisation, applying analytical techniques to fine-tune designs for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and it is these skills that we look forward to applying to some of our key structural projects we have in play.

 

So what has she worked on?

In her previous roles, she has been focused on the delivery of multi-level building projects, including steel, cold-formed steel, RC concrete, and post-tensioned structures, ensuring compliance with local industry standards.

Beyond her proficiency in structural analysis and design, she has participated in the peer-review process for many multi-storey building projects in Iran, conducting comprehensive reviews of force-based, displacement-based, seismic, and wind designs, as well as the verification of their alignment with local design standards. This was achieved through collaboration with the project teams to propose efficient and pragmatic design solutions to enhance the overall quality and safety of the buildings under review.

During the pursuit of her PhD at the University of Auckland, she has proven her track record in the development of technical solutions and the creation of innovative guidelines for the design of cold-formed steel components. Working with diverse collaborators from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom this work has enabled Maryam to tap into a wealth of international knowledge and expertise.

Maryam saying: “As a Structural Steel Research Engineer I am appreciative of the opportunities I have had to contribute my research findings to esteemed journals and international conferences.”

“It is a career path I’ve chosen which resonates deeply with my professional aspirations and personal values, and I am genuinely excited and proud to be part of HERA’s Structural division, whose primary goal is to develop standards, guidelines, and inventive solutions for the intricate challenges faced by structural engineers in Aotearoa New Zealand’s steel industry.”

“Being a part of the HERA team provides me with a unique platform to combine theoretical research with hands-on engineering practice whilst engaging with cutting-edge research and development endeavours and foster collaboration with experts from various disciplines to effectively bridge the gaps between research and practical applications,” she said.

“The best part is, that HERA’s dynamic environment will empower me to translate intricate technical knowledge into tangible, innovative solutions that address real-world challenges –  I find this incredibly meaningful!”

 

What mahi will Maryam be supporting?

Our General Manager Structural Systems, Kaveh Andisheh is really excited to have his team now at full capacity!

Kaveh saying: “I am delighted to have brought Maryam on board. I am impressed with her research capabilities and her enthusiasm for the research and development of innovative technical solutions and the improvement of New Zealand engineering best practices. Maryam has started contributing to several projects, with a main focus on research projects, the development of structural design examples, and software verification. She is a valued addition to our structural team.”