Forrest J. Masters

Forrest J. Masters is the Kearney Dean of Engineering at Oregon State University, affiliated with the College of Engineering and the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering. He joined OSU in July 2024 after serving as Interim Dean of Engineering at the University of Florida. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil (Structural/Wind) Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Florida.

His research focuses on the impact of extreme weather on the built and natural environments, particularly through field reconnaissance during hurricanes. He has pioneered instrumentation deployment in hurricane paths and contributed significantly to natural hazards engineering. His work bridges structural, coastal, and wind engineering with a strong emphasis on resilience and disaster mitigation.

Dr. Masters has secured over 60 grants from state, federal, and private sources and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers. His research trends reflect a deep commitment to experimental methods, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world applications in hazard-prone regions.

Scientific Awards:

• NSF CAREER Award

Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, Dr. Masters has mentored numerous researchers through his academic and leadership roles. He has led major research initiatives and secured substantial funding, including founding an NSF NHERI facility, demonstrating strong grant leadership and research program development.

Labs and Teams: He founded one of seven NSF Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) facilities at the University of Florida. His work is closely aligned with large-scale experimental facilities like the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory at OSU, and he has led cross-college research initiatives, experiential learning centers, and corporate engagement models.