Tarek Abdoun

Tarek Abdoun is the Program Head of Civil and Urban Engineering and Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering at NYU Abu Dhabi, holding a Global Network Professor position at NYU Tandon. He is also the Thomas Iovino Chair Professor and Director of Renssela Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Geo-Centrifuge Center. His academic career spans over two decades with appointments at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he progressed from Assistant Professor to Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education.

Dr. Abdoun received his PhD from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York. His academic journey at RPI began in 1998 as an Assistant Professor and Manager of the Geo-Centrifuge Research Center, advancing through the ranks to become Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education by 2011.

Professor Abdoun's research spans multiple critical areas in geotechnical engineering, with particular focus on soil dynamics and earthquake engineering. His work encompasses geotechnical systems and soil-structure interaction, Geo-Centrifuge & full-scale testing methodologies, and AI sensor-based infrastructure health monitoring. He has made significant contributions to understanding soil liquefaction, hurricane loading effects, and offshore systems. His innovative approach integrates advanced field monitoring techniques with satellite-based InSAR remote sensing to develop comprehensive assessment tools for civil infrastructure.

His extensive publication record of over 200 technical papers demonstrates consistent high-impact research, with recent work focusing on centrifuge modeling of soil liquefaction phenomena, geotechnical aspects of flood protection systems, and innovative educational approaches using serious gaming in engineering education. The research shows a clear trajectory toward integrating traditional geotechnical methods with advanced sensing and computational techniques.

Professor Abdoun has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing both his research and teaching excellence:

• ASCE Thomas A. Middlebrooks Award (2017, 2018) - top ASCE geotechnical paper prize
• ASCE Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize (2009)
• US Army "Commander's Award and Medal for Public Service"
• ASEE "Outstanding Teaching Award" (2016)
• RPI Board of Trustees' "Outstanding Teacher Award" (2012)
• Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Bronze Award (2015)

As an educator, Professor Abdoun has mentored numerous students through courses such as Geotechnical Engineering, Solid Mechanics, and his innovative "Gamified Learning" course that explores the intersection of video games, education, and social impact. His research program has secured substantial funding, with his lab consistently ranking among the top School of Engineering faculty with more than $1M in research expenditures for multiple fiscal years. His work with the Hurricane Katrina Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force significantly contributed to understanding levee failures during the disaster.

Professor Abdoun directs the RPI Geo-Centrifuge Center, a state-of-the-art facility that has played a crucial role in physical modeling of soil liquefaction and other geotechnical phenomena. His leadership extends to international collaborations, having consulted with organizations including General Electric, US Army Corps of Engineers, and South Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology on centrifuge facility design.