Lai Wai Yan

Dr. Lai Wai Yan (Sebastian)
PhD, BEng (Hons)
Lecturer
Civil & Construction Engineering

Contact Details
Telephone: + 60 85 630100 Ext. 2483
Fax: +60 85 630288
Location: Skylark 3 (SK3) Room 321
Email: waiyan.lai@curtin.edu.my

Background

Dr. Lai joined Curtin University Malaysia in August 2024. Previously, he was working as a water supply and drainage design engineer at Jurutera Perunding Wahba Sdn. Bhd. and Jurutera Adda Sdn. Bhd. From April 2021 to July 2024. He had completed his bachelor’s degree and PhD at Swinburne Sarawak. His previous research was regarding rainfall-filling models with novel artificial neural networks. Currently, Dr. Lai’s research interests focus on the application of artificial intelligence in civil engineering contexts, such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) to perform hydrology and climate predictions, including missing data variables.

Academic History

  • PhD in Civil Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, 2021
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) (Civil), Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, 2017

Publications

  1. Lai, W.Y. & Kuok, K.K. 2019. ‘A Study on Bayesian Principal Component Analysis for Addressing Missing Rainfall Data’, Water Resources Management, 33(8), 2615-2628.
  2. Lai, W.Y., Kuok, K.K., Gato-Trinidad, S., Rahman, M.R., & Bakri, M.K. 2023. ‘Metaheuristic Algorithms to Enhance the Performance of a Feedforward Neural Network in Addressing Missing Hourly Precipitation’, International Journal of Integrated Engineering, 15(1), 273-285.

Professional Experience

Aug 2024 – Present Lecturer in Department of Civil and Construction, Curtin Malaysia

Industrial Experience

  • Proposed Serian Regional Water Supply Phase II
  • Projek Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (BALB) Kawasan Nanga Mujong, Bahagian Kapit, Sarawak
  • Projek Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (BALB) Wilayah Sangan, Bahagian Bintulu, Sarawak
  • Design, Construction, Completion, Testing and Commissioning of Proposed Package CR1 (Central Region) For Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme (Work Order 2B, 6 & 8)
  • Highland Development Agency (HDA) – Package 5: Water Supply and Electricity Infrastructure Projects in Bario, Mulu and Telang Usan (Project No. 6, 8, 11 & 12)
  • Proposed Redevelopment of MBKS Swimming Pool into A Water Fun Park and Centre of UNESCO Creative of Gastronomy
  • Niah 275/(132)/33KV Substation Project
  • Development of Facilities and Utilities at Maludam National Park
  • Proposed 3-Storey Shophouses on Parent Lot 3395 (Sublot 1-15) Block 18, Jalan Demak, Salak Land District, Kuching
  • Proposed Engineering Works to Lot 4062. Block 26, Kemena Land District, Jalan Nyabau, Bintulu (Phase 3)

Professional Associations

  • Graduate Engineer, Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)