Dr. Mehdi Chougan is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of Brunel University, London. Mehdi's research focuses on two aspects: (i) The design and optimization of 3D-printable alkali-activated materials (AAM) and manufacturing strategies, with the aim to enhance the sustainability and productivity of the construction industry. Key topics concern the inclusion of different types of additives, including graphene-based materials, nanoclay, etc., focusing on rheology modifications. (ii) Introducing a significantly improved, lightweight variant of compressed straw board (CSB) for the construction industry, strong enough to accommodate structural loads both in tension and under compression