In 2003, he graduated in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics with a Ph.D. from Northwestern University under the guidance of Professor Brian Moran. His thesis, funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, concentrated on applications of the extended finite element method (XFEM) to damage tolerance analysis of complex structures, casting design and biofilm growth processes. In addition to the unique support of Professor Moran, this work would never have been possible without Professor James Conley and Professor David Chopp as well as the instruction of Professor Ted Belytschko.
In 1999, through a joint graduate programme of the French Institute of Technology (Ecole Spéciale des Travaux Publics) and the American Northwestern University he completed a dual M.Sc. after a thesis work on Time Domain Reflectometry simulation to assess ground movements with Professor Charles H. Dowding.