Profile
Dr Jose Norambuena-Contreras research is focused on self-healing bituminous materials for more sustainable and resilient roads. This multidisciplinary research integrates Material Science, Civil Engineering, and Chemical Engineering disciplines. Before joining Swansea, Dr Norambuena-Contreras was an Assistant and Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at the University of Bio-Bio (Chile), where he founded and led the Research Group LabMAT. Prior to this, he held research and postdoctoral positions at several European prestigious institutions, including the GITECO Research Group at the University of Cantabria (Spain), Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology EMPA at ETH-Zürich (Switzerland), and the Nottingham Transportation Engineering Centre NTEC at the University of Nottingham (UK). He has also conducted academic stays at the Wuhan University of Technology (China), Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA). In recognition of his contributions to self-healing bituminous materials, Dr. Norambuena-Contreras was awarded the 2024 RILEM Robert L’Hermite Medal by the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems, and Structures (RILEM). This prestigious award is given to a researcher under 40 years of age who has made an exceptional scientific contribution to the field of construction materials and structures.
Dr Jose Norambuena-Contreras, Swansea UniversityBeing part of the Ambassadors Wales program and joining the Conference Ambassador Network is a true honour and an invaluable platform to enhance the global visibility of our research and innovation, showcasing excellence from South Wales to the world. As an academic and international research leader in Self-Healing Asphalt Technologies at Swansea University, I am proud to represent Wales’s scientific strengths. As a Research Fellow of several international associations in construction materials and asphalt engineering, I view this role as a unique opportunity to attract world-class conferences, drive global collaborations, and position Wales at the forefront of pioneering research, innovation, and academic excellence.”
