Dr. Julia Mendes is a civil engineer and associate professor at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). She is affiliated with two Graduate Programs in Civil Engineering (PEC/UFJF and PROPEC/UFOP) and coordinates CIDENG – the Research Group on Data Science in Engineering, which focuses on applying AI to engineering challenges and science communication. Her research interests include machine learning applied to construction materials, sustainable building techniques, thermal properties of cement-based composites, and energy efficiency in buildings.
Julia joined WREN in 2022 as the Brazilian Representative and also serves as UFJF’s Representative in the Living Lab Biobased Brazil network. In recent years, she co-chaired two outreach projects: Engineers Without Borders/UFOP and Projeto Labor (academic entrepreneurship). One of her key career goals is bridging the gap between research and practice—not only in civil engineering but also in advancing gender equality.
