Nicos Makris

Nicos Makris, Ph.D., is the Addy Family Centennial Professor in Civil Engineering and Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas, Texas. An internationally recognized authority in structural earthquake engineering and structural dynamics-mechanics, he has previously held faculty positions at the University of Notre Dame (1992–1996), University of California, Berkeley (1996–2005), University of Patras, Greece (2003–2019), and University of Central Florida (2014–2018).

Education:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, January 1992
• M.S. in Civil Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, January 1990
• Diploma in Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, June 1988

Research Focus: Professor Makris pursues interdisciplinary research that spans structural earthquake engineering, applied mechanics and dynamics, seismic isolation, energy-dissipation devices, rocking dynamics of rigid bodies, masonry structures, and historic preservation under seismic hazards. His recent work introduces novel mechanical analogues for entire cities to assess resilience against natural disasters, and advances sustainable damping technologies such as pressurized sand dampers.

Publications Trajectory: Over the last three years (2022–2025) his publications reveal a dual thrust: (1) rigorous theoretical developments—ranging from real-valued reformulations of Schrödinger’s wave equation to vector-analysis frameworks for curved masonry equilibrium—and (2) large-scale experimental and numerical studies on pressurized sand dampers, rotational inertia devices, and urban resilience mechanics. This corpus underscores a seamless integration of fundamental mechanics with cutting-edge seismic protection technology.

Honors & Awards:

• George W. Housner Structural Control & Monitoring Medal, ASCE (2023)
• Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (2021)
• J. James R. Croes Medal, ASCE (2020)
• The Rotunda Outstanding Professor Award, SMU (2020)
• Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Royal Academy of Engineering, UK (2015)
• Member of Academia Europaea (2012)
• Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize, ASCE (2001)
• Shah Family Innovation Prize, EERI (1999)
• T.K. Hsieh Award, Institution of Civil Engineers, UK (1997)
• NSF CAREER Award (1996)

Advising & Editorial Leadership: He has supervised 15 Ph.D. dissertations and over 40 M.Sc. and Diploma theses. His editorial leadership includes Editor of Earthquakes and Structures, Associate Editor for Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, and Chair of the ASCE Dynamics Committee.

Laboratory & Field Endeavors: Professor Makris directs experimental programs at SMU’s structural dynamics facilities and, between 2003–2009, served as Director of Reconstruction of the Temple of Zeus in Ancient Nemea, Greece, integrating heritage preservation with advanced seismic assessment.