Thomas C. Sheahan

Thomas C. Sheahan is an Executive Vice Provost at Northeastern University's Office of the Provost and a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering. He holds a Sc.D. from MIT (1991), M.S. from MIT (1988), and B.S. from Union College (1981). His research focuses on soft ground engineering, coastal adaptation strategies, and engineering education innovation. He has led major NIH-funded initiatives like the PROTECT and ROUTES programs, emphasizing environmental health and interdisciplinary training.

His awards span teaching excellence (e.g., 2011 “Students Speak” Teaching Award) and service recognition (e.g., 2022 Tau Beta Pi Award). He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and actively contributes to professional organizations like ASTM and ASCE. His textbook An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering (3rd ed., 2023) is a foundational resource in the field. He has advised numerous research projects and promotes sustainable coastal resilience through frameworks like the Adaptation Gradients model.

Grants and collaborations include NIH-funded environmental health studies in Puerto Rico and undergraduate training programs. He has served as a mentor for student chapters and editorial roles for ASCE journals. His work integrates geotechnical engineering principles with real-world environmental challenges, emphasizing education and community impact.