Lisa Tobber

Lisa Tobber is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia's School of Engineering with a specialization in Indigenous Knowledges. She holds the Principal's Research Chairs (PRC) Tier 2 position in Resilient Buildings & BC Housing Professorship in Resilient Reinforced Concrete Buildings and serves as a Graduate Student Supervisor.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Structural Engineering and a BASc in Civil Engineering, both from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Tobber leads the Advanced Structural Simulation and Experimental Testing (ASSET) Group and the Build Better Research Cluster, focusing on creating practical and innovative structural solutions.

Her research interests encompass structural engineering, tall buildings, seismic design of precast concrete, disaster resilient buildings, and reinforced concrete structures. She employs advanced numerical simulations and large-scale experimental testing to develop resilient, sustainable building systems that can withstand natural disasters like earthquakes. Dr. Tobber maintains strong industry partnerships with engineering consultants, concrete producers, and contractors to ensure her research has real-world applications.

As Principal's Research Chair in Women in Engineering and chair of the Women in the School of Engineering Committee, Dr. Tobber is deeply committed to advancing gender equality in engineering education and practice. She teaches courses including ENGR 414/APSC514 Precast Concrete Structures and APSC 261 Theory of structures.

• Principal's Research Chairs (PRC) Tier 2 – Resilient Buildings & BC Housing Professorship

Dr. Tobber approaches her research with a holistic perspective that considers social, environmental, and economic factors behind engineering challenges. She believes combating natural disasters and the climate crisis requires diverse teams with varied expertise and lived experiences. Her work bridges theoretical innovation with practical implementation through strong industry collaborations.