Kenneth J. Loh

Professor Kenneth J. Loh is a leading academic in Structural Engineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), serving as Director of the Active, Responsive, Multifunctional, and Ordered-materials Research (ARMOR) Lab and the Center for Extreme Events Research (CEER). He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and has held faculty positions at UC Davis and UCSD. His research focuses on human-structure interactions, wearable sensors, nanocomposites, and multifunctional materials, with applications in healthcare, infrastructure monitoring, and military technology.

Education:

• Ph.D. Structural Engineering, University of Michigan (2008)
• M.S. Materials Science & Engineering, University of Michigan (2008)
• M.S. Civil Engineering, University of Michigan (2005)
• B.S. Civil Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (2004)

Research emphasizes stimuli-responsive materials and data analytics to safeguard human and structural assets. Key areas include:

• Wearable sensors for muscle engagement and movement monitoring
• Smart materials for infrastructure health monitoring
• Bio-inspired active skins for surface morphing
• Electrical tomography for damage detection

His ARMOR Lab collaborates with National Labs, government agencies, and industry to translate innovations into practical solutions. Notable achievements include the 2018 IWSHM Person-of-the-Year Award and an NSF CAREER Award. Lab locations include SME Building Labs 413 & 410 at UCSD.

Awards:

• 2020 Office of Naval Research Senior Fellow
• 2013 NSF CAREER Award
• 2018 Structural Health Monitoring Award
• 2014 UC Davis Outstanding Junior Faculty

Advising/grants: Leads a multidisciplinary team of students and researchers, with active partnerships in defense and healthcare sectors. Current projects include developing graphene-based kinesiology tape and smart braces for injury prevention.

Labs/Teams: ARMOR Lab focuses on cross-disciplinary innovation with a mission to enhance human and structural performance through advanced materials and sensing systems.