Scott M. Olson

Scott M. Olson is the CEE Excellence Faculty Scholar Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois. He holds a B.S. (1993), M.S. (1995), and Ph.D. (2001) from the same institution. His research spans geotechnical earthquake engineering, liquefaction mitigation, and infrastructure resilience. Olson teaches courses in soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and geotechnical field measurements.

Research focuses on soil-structure interaction, geohazard assessment, and advanced laboratory/field testing techniques. Publications demonstrate consistent innovation in liquefaction engineering and seismic safety, with recent work on pore pressure dynamics and soil viscosity modeling. Awards include the Walter L. Huber Prize and NSF CAREER Award.

• Education: Ph.D. Civil Engineering, University of Illinois (2001)
• Professional: Missouri PE license, editorial roles in ASCE and Canadian Geotechnical Journals