UTS Tech Lab academic Isabella Novais Silva is doing her bit to plug labour shortages in the geotechnical engineering sector while also using her learnings to improve the stability of critical infrastructure.
It’s not too often that a landslide puts you on solid footing.
But that’s exactly what happened to Isabella Novais Silva when in 2017 nearby landslide disaster helped propel her into a career in geotechnical engineering.
A specialist in geotechnical investigations, laboratory testing and soil stabilisation, Isabella is in the final stages of her PhD at UTS, where her work in the Geotechnology Lab allows her to blend her love for engineering science with solving real-world challenges.
Her timing could not have been better given that Australia’s booming infrastructure sector is experiencing significant delays and increasing cost blow outs due to a lack of qualified geotechnical engineers and technicians, as well as a shortage of experienced field personnel.
PhD Isabella Novais Silva in the Geotechnical Engineering Lab at UTS Tech Lab
Where it began
Isabella’s interest in geotechnical engineering piqued in her second year of undergraduate studies in civil engineering after she took her first geology subject and became aware of the unique opportunity engineering offers to make a positive impact on communities.
“The lecturer’s classes were engaging and grounded in practical applications [and] introduced me to the intricate ways geotechnical engineering impacts infrastructure. Shortly afterwards, a series of landslides struck my city, which led me to join a slope stability project as an undergraduate researcher. In this role, I worked directly with affected communities, assessing high-risk areas and conducting stability analyses to enhance safety measures.”
Born in South America, Isabella’s introduction to the Australian tertiary education system came in 2016 when during her bachelor’s degree she was awarded the Brazilian Government’s Science Without Borders Scholarship. The scholarship brought with it the chance to take up an exchange opportunity at Perth’s Curtin University.
A short stint at the University of Wollongong followed, with her introduction to the Tech Lab not occurring until 2020 when her PhD research group transferred to UTS.
A sustainability bent
Since then Isabella has gone from strength to strength with much of her time spent understanding how soil behaviour impacts infrastructure stability, with a focus on developing sustainable solutions that address both technical and environmental challenges.
By repurposing waste materials, I’m not only improving the stability of critical infrastructure but also contributing to a circular economy—an approach that I believe is essential in modern engineering. Geotechnical engineering offers a unique intersection between practical problem-solving and meaningful impact, and this combination is what drives my passion for this field.
Her research findings have since been published in high-impact journals, including Acta Geotechnica and the Canadian Geotechnical Journal.
Her work has also been recognised with several notable awards, including the prestigious 2024 ISSMGE Bright Spark Lecture Award, which acknowledges outstanding young professionals in geotechnical engineering.
Team effort
But it’s not just through enhancing safety that the impact of Isabella’s hard work is being felt.
Collaborations with key stakeholders such as Sydney Trains, Transport for NSW, SMEC and iQRenew have been crucial in her efforts to ensure she can make a tangible impact while also assisting industry to combat the toll extreme weather events are affecting on the stability of soil and foundations, Isabella says.
Her work alongside Sydney Trains helped pinpoint railway sites experiencing subgrade instability and led to the development of stabilisation techniques tailored to the unique challenges of railway subgrades over soft soils.
Meanwhile, her research efforts under the supervision of Distinguished Prof Indraratna, Prof Rujikiatkamjorn and Dr Nguyen helped identify the use of recycled glass as a sustainable material for subgrade stabilisation. The potential success of this work could encourage the widespread adoption of recycled glass in railway projects, further advancing sustainable practices within the industry.
Throughout these collaborations, Isabella regularly engaged with industry experts while leveraging the cutting-edge capabilities of UTS Tech Lab. Facilities such as the dynamic triaxial loading frame, proved instrumental to the project. These advanced tools not only enabled real-time experimentation and data collection but also facilitated iterative feedback and practical refinements, ensuring the project’s goals were met with precision.
The state-of-the-art facilities at UTS Tech Lab provide a unique platform that integrates education, research, and industry collaboration. This integration not only advances the understanding of various fields but also contributes to the development of solutions with significant societal and economic benefits.
Opportunities that involve building connections with industry professionals and academic mentors are essential for those thinking of entering the engineering sector, she says. So too embracing curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning.
“Geotechnical engineering is a field where theory meets the complexities of nature, so developing a solid understanding of fundamental principles is essential. However, it’s equally important to remain open to innovation—sustainable practices, digital technologies, and AI are transforming the industry, and keeping up with these advancements will allow you to adapt, grow, and make meaningful contributions to this dynamic and impactful field.
“Seek out hands-on experience whenever possible—internships, lab work and field projects can provide invaluable insights that you won’t find in textbooks. Lastly, pursue the field with purpose, knowing that your contributions can have a lasting impact on society.”