Dr. Yifei Cui is currently a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

He received his BEng from Hong Kong Polytechnic University in the year of 2009, and then processed to graduate study in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta. He received his MSc (thesis-based) in geotechnical engineering in 2012 and PhD in geotechnical engineering in 2016.

His research focuses on the development of numerical techniques such as Discrete Element Method (DEM) coupling with fluid flow (CFD, LBM, and pore pressure), DEM coupling with continuum mechanics, and the Material Point Method coupling with fluid flow. The application of such numerical techniques includes the simulation of geotechnical and petroleum engineering problems, such as soil liquefaction caused by earthquakes, sand production in well bores, landslide initiation due to rainfall infiltration, and debris flow and structural interaction mechanisms.