Sonia R. Chao

Sonia R. Chao is a Research Professor and Associate Dean of Research at the University of Miami's School of Architecture. She leads the Center for Urban & Community Design, focusing on resilient architecture and sustainable urban solutions for coastal regions. Her work emphasizes climate adaptation strategies for historic neighborhoods in South Florida and the Caribbean. She directs the Resilient Miami Initiative and collaborates with governments and institutions via the Florida Climate Institute and Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact.

Her research integrates social sciences, infrastructure, and urban design to create resilient paradigms for coastal cities, supported by a National Science Foundation CRISP grant. She has advised sustainable rebuilding efforts post-Hurricane Andrew and pioneered affordable housing projects in Haiti using traditional and modern techniques. Her expertise spans flood vulnerability modeling, historic preservation, and community-driven design practices.