Graduate Student Rasool Fazeli Receives AAPT Master's Scholarship

U of A graduate student Rasool Fazeli received the 2026 Master's Scholarship from the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists. 

Selected by the AAPT Board of Directors, Fazeli will receive a $1,000 award and recognition at the association's 2027 annual meeting in Frisco, Texas. He will also have an opportunity to present a poster highlighting his pavement preservation research. 

"Receiving this scholarship is one of the most meaningful achievements of my academic journey," Fazeli said. "It is both a tremendous honor and a strong motivation to continue pursuing excellence in pavement engineering research and contribute to advancements in the asphalt industry." 

Fazeli's interest in pavement preservation began while he was earning a master's degree in road construction in his home country. He joined a research and development team that introduced pavement preservation applications nationwide for the first time. 

His work covered each stage of the process, including laboratory testing, specification development, asphalt emulsion manufacturing, quality control and field implementation. 

Fazeli manufacturing asphalt emulsion at the UARK Asphalt Laboratory.

"Bringing these products from concept to construction, meeting agency requirements and achieving high-quality performance on real roads was both challenging and deeply rewarding," Fazeli said. 

The experience introduced him to the technical and logistical demands of pavement preservation treatments. He became particularly interested in asphalt emulsions and how small changes in their formulation affect performance. 

That interest expanded into mixture designs for treatments such as slurry seals and microsurfacing. These applications require careful coordination among materials, construction timing and field conditions. 

Fazeli said the experience taught him the importance of applying the proper maintenance treatment at the right time. 

Pavement preservation focuses on maintaining roads while they remain in serviceable condition. This approach extends pavement life and helps transportation agencies avoid more extensive and expensive structural rehabilitation. 

At the U of A, Fazeli serves as a core member of a research team studying asphalt emulsions and pavement preservation applications. The university's laboratory includes inline mills used to produce asphalt emulsions and robotic mini-applicators that place spray and mixture treatments under controlled conditions.

Performing pavement preservation treatments using mini applicators at the University of Texas at Tyler as part of the TREAT Program, summer 2026.

His research examines the use of biobinders as partial replacements for petroleum asphalt binders in emulsions. He is studying their use as modifiers in cationic rapid-set emulsions to determine whether they match or improve the performance of conventional chip seals. 

Performance testing procedures help researchers evaluate the bond between aggregate and modified binder. Fazeli also applies the emulsions to chip seal sections with robotic mini-applicators and compares their short- and long-term performance with conventional treatments. 

The research could provide transportation agencies with scientifically supported guidance when considering biobased materials for pavement preservation. 

Fazeli said his work at the U of A has strengthened his ability to design and produce these components. It has also changed how he views the future of road infrastructure. 

"Preservation strategies can push infrastructure toward more environmentally friendly, cost-effective and longer-lasting solutions," he said. 

Testing asphalt emulsion properties to evaluate compliance with specification requirements.

Since arriving at the U of A, Fazeli has worked closely with his adviser, civil engineering professor Andrew Braham. "Rasool has been a fantastic member of our research team," Braham said. "He hit the ground running when arriving at the University of Arkansas, and has not only made tremendous strides in his own research, but has also been active with professional training through the TREAT Mobile Lab. AAPT is one of the most prestigious organizations in the world in asphalt materials, and this scholarship is an excellent indication of Rasool's contributions to the community." 

Fazeli thanked the AAPT Board of Directors and association members who support the scholarship program. He also credited Braham for his guidance, encouragement and support throughout his graduate studies. 

"I intend to continue in pavement preservation, contributing to innovations that improve serviceability, reduce life cycle costs and enhance user satisfaction," he said. "I see this field as both technically challenging and socially impactful, and I am committed to being part of its future." 

About the Department of Civil Engineering: Established in 1897, the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and innovative research. Accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for successful careers in civil engineering. With a focus on hands-on learning, cutting-edge research, and industry partnerships, our faculty and students tackle critical societal challenges in sustainable infrastructure, transportation, structural, environmental engineering, and water resources. Dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, the department equips graduates with the skills and professional network necessary to excel and make significant contributions to the field. For more information, visit our website.