The award will provide funding for Thomas to visit BITS for two weeks in August, 2023. The main focus of his visit will be to collaborate with BITS faculty on curriculum development to support emerging low-carbon concrete technologies. He will also give several research seminars and visit with students and faculty from BITS and neighboring institutions. Thomas hopes the visit will produce fruitful collaborations with international scholars working in his research field.

Concrete construction is responsible for more than 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Thomas and his research team are working to change that.

"We are studying a lot of alternative materials that can reduce concrete's carbon footprint, but the lack of education around their use and specification has prevented their widespread use in construction projects," Thomas said.

Lack of education is often cited as a critical barrier to adoption of low-carbon building materials.

"India makes more concrete than any country except China — nearly four times what we make in the United States," he added. "This amplifies the impact of low-carbon concrete technologies and the educational programs that help them get adopted."

Thomas is one of more than 400 U.S. citizens who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program each year. Recipients of Fulbright Specialist awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of The United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.