Karen Chou

Karen Chou is a Clinical Professor Emeritus in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northwestern University. She holds a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Civil/Structural Engineering from Northwestern University and Tufts University. Her research focuses on structural reliability, safety, health monitoring, and innovative engineering education tools, such as the Virtual Steel Sculpture project. She has been recognized with awards including Civil Engineer of the Year (2012) and the Charles W. Britzius Distinguished Engineer Award (2010).

Chou has contributed to ABET evaluations, editorial boards (e.g., International Journal of Structural Safety), and NSF fellowship reviews. Her work emphasizes bridging theory and practice through interactive learning tools and cross-disciplinary projects. She has published extensively on steel connections, structural analysis, and pedagogical strategies.

• Education:
• Ph.D. Structural Engineering, Northwestern University
• M.S. Structural Engineering, Northwestern University
• B.S. Civil Engineering, Tufts University

Professional Service: Includes roles as ABET Evaluator, Editorial Board Member, and NSF Review Panelist. Notable contributions include developing the Virtual Steel Sculpture for STEM education and advancing methods for structural reliability and safety assessment.