Satish Nagarajaiah

Satish Nagarajaiah is a tenured Professor at Rice University with joint appointments in the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, Mechanical Engineering Department, and affiliation with Materials Science and Nano-Engineering. His research spans structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, seismic isolation, and adaptive stiffness systems, with significant contributions to negative stiffness, smart tuned mass dampers, and strain sensing using nanomaterials.

• Joint appointments across Civil, Mechanical, and Materials Science departments
• Developed 3D-BASIS software for nonlinear dynamic analysis of base-isolated structures
• Recipient of NSF CAREER Award, ASCE Moissieff Award, and multiple ASCE medals

Research Interests include:

• Nonlinear dynamic analysis of seismic systems
• Adaptive passive stiffness and control mechanisms
• Machine learning and computer vision for sparse structural identification
• Nanocomposite-based strain sensing (contact/noncontact)
• Development of smart skins and optical sensors for structural health monitoring

Scientific Awards include:

• NSF CAREER Award (1998-1999)
• ASCE Moissieff Award (2015)
• Raymond C. Reese Research Prize (2017)
• Nathan M. Newmark Medal (2020)
• George W. Housner Medal (2025)
• Fellow, U.S. National Academy of Inventors (2019)
• Distinguished Member, ASCE (2021)

Editorial Leadership includes Senior Editor of Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing (Elsevier, 2017-2019, 2024-present), Editor of Structural Control and Health Monitoring (Wiley, 2008-2022, 2024-present), and Editor-in-Chief of Structural Monitoring and Maintenance (Techno-Press, 2014-2024).