Yohan Kim
Yohan Kim holds a Ph.D. in Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), specializing in Technologies of the Built Environment, with a focus on innovative façade systems for tall office buildings and computational simulations. His research and teaching broadly center on sustainable design strategies and emerging technologies for tall buildings, addressing critical global challenges such as rapid urban population growth and mass urbanization.
Kim’s doctoral dissertation investigates the impact of double-skin façade (DSF) configurations on indoor airflow behavior in tall office buildings (i.e., buildings over 200 meters) and develops DSF design guidelines based on natural ventilation potential, utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. He has published in several journals, and his work has been recognized with the Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings (CCHRB) Scholarship and the ARCC King Student Medal for Excellence in Architectural and Environmental Research.
Before joining the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning, Kim served as a Visiting Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of the Master of Tall Buildings and Vertical Urbanism (MTBVU) program at IIT, where he played an active role in developing the program from its launch in 2022. Within the MTBVU program, he taught advanced design studios and seminar courses that explored both the design and technical aspects of architecture, emphasizing the integration of research into the design process. He also served as the Academic Coordinator at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the world’s leading non-profit organization focused on tall buildings and future cities.
Elizabeth Cronin
Elizabeth Cronin joined the School of Architecture as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Fall 2025. She holds a Ph.D., MSAS in Architecture Pedagogy, a Master of Architecture, and a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida.
Her work spans research, teaching, and practice to cultivate expansive methods of architectural design and education. She has specific interest in domestic craft practices, bodies, and loose-fit design processes, which she explores in her dissertation, “Emergent Practice: Fields of Resistance.” For her doctoral work, she received the ARCC King Student Medal for Excellence in Architectural and Environmental Research and UF School of Architecture’s Critical Discourse Award. She was also selected as a college finalist for the Madelyn Lockhart Fellowship Award.
In 2015, Cronin founded Vorkurs—UF School of Architecture’s graduate publication, now in its tenth edition—to which she has been a frequent contributor. Her work has also appeared in Architecture Research Journal and conference proceedings from the Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC) and the International Association for the Study of Environment, Space, and Place (IASESP).
An experienced educator, Cronin has taught undergraduate and graduate studios at the University of Florida and the University of Miami. She brings expertise in architectural pedagogy, with a focus on teaching methods and beginning design education. In addition to her academic work, Cronin has practiced architecture in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami.
Elizabeth Abernethy
Elizabeth Abernethy
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Planner in Residence
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Avinash Aruon
Avinash Aruon
M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management
Assistant Professor
352-294-1923
RINKER 329
Dr. Aruon joined the Rinker School of Construction Management in 2025 as an Assistant Professor after earning his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. Prior to academia, Dr. Aruon had an extensive career spanning over 18 years in the construction industry, where he led multidisciplinary teams and managed large-scale infrastructure, transportation, and commercial projects across the Middle East. His industry experience continues to inform his applied research and teaching.
Dr. Aruon’s research lies at the intersection of human behavior, neurocognition, and emerging technologies in construction. He explores how cognitive processes and behavioral biases influence decision-making, safety, and team performance in construction environments. His work focuses on advancing resilient infrastructure planning and design through behavioral and AI-based interventions, leveraging digital data and community insights to assess the impacts of natural disasters on critical infrastructure. Additionally, he investigates ways to improve human-technology interactions, particularly with AI and robotics, using behavioral science and neurocognitive methods.
With a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education from Virginia Tech, Dr. Aruon is committed to experiential, student-centered learning. He has taught and assisted in courses such as construction management, project planning, and systems in buildings, and integrates his industry background to bridge theory with practice. At UF, he will teach BCN 5705C Project Management for Construction and contribute to BCN 4510 Mechanical Systems.
Research Interests
- Behavioral insights for resilient infrastructure planning and design.
- Impact of AI assistances on construction productivity.
- Dynamics of Human-AI interaction in construction projects.
- Construction workforce safety, mental health, and wellbeing.
Patricia Kio
Patricia Kio
School of Architecture, Sustainability and the Built Environment
Assistant Professor
(352) 392-4836
Patricia Kio holds a Ph.D. in Architecture with a specialization in circular economy from Texas A&M University. In recognition of her work, Kio was the recipient of the King Student Medal Award for Excellence in Architectural + Environmental Research at the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University. She is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects. Kio has published several peer-reviewed articles in highly preferred journals such as Journal of Cleaner Production, Energy and Buildings, and Waste and Biomass Valorization. She is a reviewer for the Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management Journal and a few others. In addition, Kio serves on the Editorial Board of TAD (Technology | Architecture + Design) Journal. Kio was an Assistant Professor at Fitchburg State University. Her teaching and research interests include architectural design, building construction systems, sustainable architecture, materials, environmental systems integration, and smart circular economy. She is gratefully raising two daughters with her loving husband. They enjoy reading, watching movies, and playing board games.