UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation has announced that John Messner has been appointed associate director of translational research.
Messner serves as the Charles and Elinor Matts Professor of Architectural Engineering and director of the Computer Integrated Construction Research Program at Penn State. He earned both his bachelor of architectural engineering and his doctoral degree from Penn State, and his career reflects a longstanding commitment to advancing innovation in the built environment.
Messner is widely recognized for his leadership in digital construction and building innovation. He led the team that developed core Building Information Modeling (BIM) guidelines adopted into the U.S. National BIM Standard. He has secured multiple U.S. National Science Foundation grants to study immersive technologies in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. He previously chaired the U.S. National BIM Standard initiative at the National Institute of Building Sciences and serves on the board of the Lean Construction Institute. His honors include the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the National Institute of Building Sciences, the 2022 Computing in Civil Engineering Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers, and induction into the National Academy of Construction in 2022.
In his new role, Messner will spearhead efforts to develop translational research partnerships with industry and University stakeholders to integrate data and modeling and operational insights, and advance new built‑environment research. By focusing on moving innovations out of the lab and into real‑world use, he will help accelerate adoption, demonstrate measurable benefits and reduce risk for partners — translating findings into practical solutions that improve decision‑making, cut emissions, save money, inform policy and create workforce‑ready learning opportunities that generate economic and societal value across the commonwealth and beyond.
“John is a world-renowned leader in digital innovation within the built environment,” said Scarlett Miller, director of the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation. “His expertise in building information modeling, immersive technologies and industry standards positions us to elevate the digital twin of campus into a national model for translational research. This work exemplifies our mission — bridging research and practice to deliver measurable impact.”
Messner said the opportunity aligns closely with his long-standing focus on connecting research to real-world applications.
“Having already worked closely with industry to move discoveries out of the lab, I know how critical those partnerships are for accelerating the translation of research into practice,” Messner said. “By deepening collaborations across the private sector and the University, we can create a living laboratory that enhances campus performance while driving real‑world innovation in the real estate and construction industries.”
As associate director, Messner will document key operational efficiencies arising from research collaborations, demonstrating the value of research-driven innovation in real estate and campus operations. He will strengthen industry engagement, foster strategic partnerships and shepherd research outcomes as they are translated into real‑world impact.
Through this appointment, Miller said, the Cocoziello Institute continues to build the infrastructure and partnerships necessary to position Penn State as a national leader in real estate and the future of the built environment.