Fabio Capra-Ribeiro Selected for NASEM Early Career Research Fellowship
Dr. Fabio Capra-Ribeiro, assistant professor of architecture, has been selected for the new Early Career Research Fellowship of the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. He is one of eight research fellows selected nationally for the Human Health and Community Resilience track for 2025-27.
Dr. Capra-Ribeiro founded and co-directs the Caribbean Spatial Justice Lab. His research engages interdisciplinary teams to develop spatial justice and environmental planning projects focusing on bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and community needs.
Since 2021, he has also been a member of the Green Infrastructure for Urban Sustainability(GREENIUS) research group based at the International University of Valencia in Spain, contributing to advancing innovation in green infrastructure. Before collaborating with academics, governments, and communities in Louisiana, he held similar roles in Spain and Venezuela.
Prior to his appointment at LSU, he was faculty and Academic Coordinator for the Master of Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in Spain and collaborated with three master’s programs at the International University of Valencia, focusing on education, elearning, and circular economy. Dr. Capra-Ribeiro is the author of the book “Uncertain Regional Urbanism in Venezuela: Government, Infrastructure, and Environment,” which explores territorial foresight strategies for cities in the Global South. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Science in Architectural Design from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, where he began teaching in 2009 and later served as Coordinator of the Master of Urban Design program and Director of the School of Architecture. He earned his Ph.D. in Urbanism from the Università IUAV di Venezia in Italy and completed a Master’s Degree in Technology Applied to Education.
Dr. Zhihong Pang, assistant professor of construction management at LSU, is one of the other research fellows selected for the cohort. His research focuses on building energy efficiency, intelligent HVAC control, and the resilience of low-resource housing systems under climate stress, with a particular emphasis on the Gulf Coast region. See the full list.
“Our Early-Career Research Fellows are pursuing innovative and applied research that directly addresses the Gulf region’s most pressing challenges,” said Karena Mothershed, director of GRP’s Board on Gulf Education and Engagement. “Their research not only advances science but also provides real-world benefits for communities and ecosystems across the Gulf. We are excited to welcome these exceptional individuals to the 2025 cohort of Early-Career Research Fellows and to continue supporting them as they make a lasting impact on the Gulf region.”
About the Early-Career Research Fellowship
The Gulf Research Program’s Early-Career Research Fellowship helps researchers during the critical pre-tenure phase of their careers. Fellows receive a $76,000 financial award along with mentoring support to provide them with independence, flexibility, and a built-in support network as they take risks on untested research ideas, pursue unique collaborations, and build a network of colleagues.