Ingrid Tomac

Ingrid Tomac is an Associate Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Her research focuses on hydro-thermo-mechanical coupled processes in rocks, energy geotechnics, and post-wildfire mudflow dynamics. She employs micromechanics, DEM-CFD simulations, and experimental methods to study geomechanical phenomena in geothermal reservoirs and geo-reservoirs. Tomac holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines (2014), an M.Sc. in Geotechnical Engineering (University of Zagreb, 2007), and a Diploma in Structural Engineering (University of Zagreb, 2000).

• Academic Positions: Associate Professor at UCSD (2023–present), Assistant Professor (2017–2023), and Assistant Research Scientist (2014–2017).
• Teaching: Courses include Rock Mechanics (SE249), Foundation Engineering (SE182/242), and Advanced Soil Mechanics (SE241).

Her research interests span hydraulic fracturing, CO2 sequestration, and geotechnical hazards. She has led projects funded by NSF, the California Energy Commission, and the U.S. Department of Energy, totaling over $2 million in grants. Tomac is actively involved in professional committees such as the ASCE-GeoInstitute Rock Mechanics Committee and ASTM.

Tomac’s recent work includes studies on post-wildfire mudflows, geothermal energy systems, and seismic soil-structure interaction. Her lab at UCSD explores micro-to-macro scale processes, with ongoing experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) to study hydrophobic sand dynamics.

• Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2023), ARMA Early Career Keynote (2022), and DFI Women in Deep Foundations Award (2020).

Her research team includes PhD students focusing on proppant flow, mudflow rheology, and slope stability. Tomac also mentors underrepresented students through programs like ENLACE and COSMOS.