Kevin Mackie

Kevin Mackie is Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering (CECE) at the University of Central Florida’s College of Engineering. He has been a faculty member since 2006, advancing from assistant to full professor, and previously served as associate chair and interim department chair. His leadership includes spearheading departmental improvements in culture, workload policy, and digital accessibility.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (2004)
• M.S. in Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (2000)
• B.E. in Engineering, Cooper Union, New York (1998)

His research focuses on structural engineering, particularly in bridge engineering, performance-based seismic design, nonlinear analysis, and advanced materials for infrastructure repair. He integrates analytical, numerical, and experimental methods to assess and improve the resilience of civil infrastructure under extreme loads. His work addresses critical challenges in soil-structure interaction, seismic retrofitting, and the use of composites and smart materials.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on nonlinear modeling, seismic performance, and computational structural analysis of bridges and tall buildings. Key themes include fiber-based modeling, contact-friction problems, soil-structure interaction, and probabilistic assessment, demonstrating a consistent trajectory toward resilient and sustainable infrastructure systems.

Scientific Awards:

• Faculty advisor of the year (2022, 2021, 2019) – ASCE East Central Branch and Florida Section
• Technical Contribution Leader Award Winner (2021) – ASCE East Central Branch
• Distinguished faculty member at UCF (2018) – Department of Housing and Residence Life
• Arthur N.L. Chiu Award for excellence as faculty advisor (2018) – Chi Epsilon Honor Society

Mackie has been a dedicated mentor, supervising 11 doctoral, 18 master’s, and over 30 undergraduate students. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Transportation, Caltrans, FDOT, and industry partners. He has published nearly 200 papers and been cited over 7,000 times. He led the reaccreditation of CECE’s undergraduate programs and established the accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway.

He leads the Structures Laboratory at UCF and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on infrastructure resilience. His vision includes expanding graduate programs, strengthening industry partnerships, and diversifying the Senior Design curriculum to reflect real-world engineering challenges.