Professor Hong Hao is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor at Curtin University, affiliated with the School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering and the Curtin Research Centre for Infrastructural Monitoring & Protection. His expertise spans Structural Dynamics, Earthquake Engineering, Blast and Impact Engineering, and Structural Health Monitoring. He holds prestigious roles like Fellow of ATSE, ISEAM, and ASCE, and has led organizations such as the International Association of Protective Structures and the Australian Earthquake Engineering Society. Education: BE (Tianjin University, 1982), MSc (UC Berkeley, 1985), PhD (UC Berkeley, 1989). Awards include the Tan Chin Tuan Fellowship and multiple Ko Medals. He has authored over 200 journal articles, with recent work focusing on blast-resistant materials, seismic fragility, and AI-driven structural health monitoring. His research emphasizes resilient infrastructure, including metaconcrete structures, corrosion-resistant materials, and sensor-based damage detection. Ongoing projects involve smart tunnel safety under BLEVE explosions and modular building systems.
Christopher D.P. Baxter is a Professor and Department Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the College of Engineering, University of Rhode Island , with expertise in geotechnical engineering, offshore wind energy, and coastal resilience. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech (1999), an M.S. from Purdue University (1994), and a B.S. from Tufts University (1990). Research Focus: Geotechnical characterization of marine sediments, liquefaction resistance analysis, fiber-optic sensing for infrastructure monitoring, and coastal protection systems. Recent Publications: 15+ articles (2011–2025) covering topics like shear wave velocity, offshore wind foundation dynamics, and tsunami hazard modeling. Grants: Led projects on offshore wind monitoring (2019–2024) and fiber-optic seismic sensing (2021–2023). Key Collaborations: Work with teams on submarine landslide analysis, coastal dune reinforcement, and Rhode Island infrastructure resilience. His work bridges experimental geomechanics with practical coastal engineering solutions.
Antonio Bobet is the Edgar B. and Hedwig M. Olson Professor in Civil Engineering at Purdue University's College of Engineering, affiliated with the Civil and Construction Engineering department. His research focuses on geomechanics, rock mechanics, seismic engineering, and lunar in-situ resource utilization. He leads studies on tunnel stability under seismic loads, fracture mechanics, and geophysical monitoring of rock systems. His work integrates experimental and numerical methods to address challenges in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial construction. Research interests include: Seismic response of underground structures Rock joint behavior and fracture propagation Lunar habitat construction using ISRU materials Geomechanical characterization of layered rocks Recent studies emphasize the interplay between geology, material properties, and structural stability. His publications analyze seismic precursors to rock failure, fracture roughness, and tunnel design under complex loading conditions. Awards and recognitions are listed under external faculty accolades. Advising and grants focus on geohazard mitigation and space infrastructure resilience. Lab affiliations include Purdue's geomechanics and geotechnical laboratories.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esra Ece Bayat is an Associate Professor in the Civil Engineering Department at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), specializing in Earthquake Engineering, Soil Mechanics, and Geotechnics. She holds a PhD from Northeastern University (USA) and has been affiliated with ITU since 2010, progressing from Lecturer to her current rank. Her research focuses on liquefaction mitigation, soil-structure interaction, and dynamic soil behavior under seismic loads. She has led multiple projects funded by TUBITAK and BAP, including studies on induced partial saturation (IPS) techniques and p-y model development for earthquake-resistant designs. Her education includes a BSc from Middle East Technical University (1997–2002) and a PhD from Northeastern University (2004–2009). She has served in administrative roles such as Erasmus Coordinator and Education Coordinator, emphasizing international collaboration and academic development. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to resilient infrastructure and disaster risk reduction. Dr. Bayat has published extensively on topics like dynamic soil behavior, liquefaction assessment, and foundation systems. Her research combines experimental methods (e.g., laminar soil containers, shaking table tests) with numerical modeling (e.g., FLAC 3D, SASSI). Recent work addresses the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake’s impact on foundation systems in Iskenderun. She has advised over 20 graduate students and holds the ASCE Thomas Middlebrooks Award (2014).
Jari Puttonen is a Professor of Structural Engineering at Aalto University's Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering. His research focuses on structural analysis, fire safety, materials science, and nuclear infrastructure safety. He has held roles as Principal Investigator in projects related to nuclear waste repository concrete modeling and aging management of NPP infrastructure. He has advised over 20 academic visitors and served in doctoral thesis committees. Education: Doctoral degree (1987), Licentiate (1984), and Master's degree (1979) in Engineering and Technology from Helsinki University of Technology (now part of Aalto University). Research Interests: Steel and composite materials behavior under extreme conditions Fire resistance of structural systems Long-term performance of concrete in nuclear facilities Non-destructive testing of construction materials Seismic resilience of critical infrastructure Awards: Recipient of the Knight, First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2020), PUUPalkinto 2010, and Schweighofer Prize 2011 for innovative energy facade research. Grants & Projects: Led 13 research projects including PERCO2_2023 (nuclear waste repository modeling) and CONAGE2022 (NPP concrete aging). Active in EU-funded initiatives and industry collaborations. Labs & Teams: Core member of Aalto's Structural Engineering Research Group, collaborating with Chalmers University and Technical University of Munich on advanced materials testing.
Prof. Dr. Ercan Yüksel is a full Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), College of Engineering. He has been a faculty member at ITU since 1990, progressing from Assistant Professor to Professor in 2017. His research focuses on earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, and numerical modeling, with applications in seismic design, energy dissipation, and structural health monitoring. PhD, Civil Engineering, Istanbul Technical University MS, Structural Engineering (with thesis), Istanbul Technical University BS, Civil Engineering, Istanbul Technical University His research interests are centered on earthquake engineering , particularly seismic input energy analysis , energy dissipation systems , reinforced and precast concrete structures , and seismic isolation . He actively investigates the dynamic behavior of structures under earthquake loads and develops innovative solutions for improving structural resilience. His work integrates advanced numerical modeling with experimental validation. Recent publications (2023–2025) highlight a strong focus on energy-based seismic design, performance of mechanical couplers, damping systems for high-voltage insulators, and fatigue behavior of railway tracks. These works are closely tied to real-world seismic events like the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake, demonstrating applied and impactful research. His scientific recognition includes: Notable Work Award, Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), 2012 Golden Beam Award, Turkish Prefabricated Association, 2011 Prof. Yüksel is an active Principal Investigator on multiple research projects funded by ITU’s BAP program, covering topics such as smart sleepers for railway monitoring, novel seismic input energy spectra, and earthquake isolation for racking systems. He has supervised numerous theses and is involved in professional organizations including UNESCO-IPRED and the Turkish Earthquake Foundation. He leads research on structural health monitoring of ballasted railway lines using smart sleeper technology and is developing earthquake isolation systems for industrial storage racks. His lab integrates experimental testing with numerical simulation to validate new structural components under cyclic and biaxial loading.
Amin Barari is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Engineering, RMIT University, Australia. His research focuses on geotechnical and offshore engineering, particularly in foundation systems for offshore wind turbines, soil-structure interaction, and seismic liquefaction mitigation. He has extensive experience in experimental and numerical analysis of pile foundations, bucket foundations, and caisson structures. His work integrates advanced computational methods (e.g., machine learning, finite element modeling) to predict foundation behavior under extreme conditions. Research interests include: offshore wind energy foundations, soil liquefaction, cyclic stability diagrams, and probabilistic hazard assessment frameworks. He has supervised multiple PhD/Masters projects on topics like resilient foundations in calcareous deposits and pile foundation dynamics in expansive soils. His publications span over 147 research outputs, emphasizing geotechnical challenges in coastal and offshore environments. Dr. Barari collaborates with international institutions and has expertise in experimental testing (e.g., large-scale load testing, centrifuge modeling) and advanced AI-driven frameworks for geohazard prediction. His work contributes to sustainable infrastructure design and risk mitigation strategies for renewable energy systems.
Yunlan (Emma) Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, part of the Cockrell School of Engineering. Her research focuses on architected materials, deployable structures, nature-based solutions, and extraterrestrial materials. She holds a B.S. from The Ohio State University (2012), M.S. and Ph.D. from Purdue University (2014, 2019), and completed a postdoc at the University of Oxford (2022). Her work bridges mechanical metamaterials with biomedical and environmental applications, including deployable medical devices and sustainable infrastructure. Education: B.S., The Ohio State University, 2012 M.S., Purdue University, 2014 Ph.D., Purdue University, 2019 Postdoc, University of Oxford, 2022 Her research interests emphasize biomimetic materials inspired by natural systems (e.g., avian feathers) and their translation into engineered solutions. Current projects include developing lightweight superalloys for aerospace, shape-memory materials for medical devices, and artificial reefs for marine conservation. She leads the UT Metamaterials and Advanced Structures Lab (UTMASLab), accessible at https://sites.utexas.edu/utmaslab/ . Recent publications explore novel applications of architected materials in healthcare, disaster-resistant structures, and environmental sustainability. Her work frequently appears in top journals across mechanical engineering, materials science, and biomedical engineering disciplines.
Prof. Dr. Hakkı Polat Gülkan is a Professor at Başkent University's Civil Engineering Department. With a PhD (1971) and Master's (1968) from the University of Illinois in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor's (1966) from METU, his career spans over five decades in earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, and disaster management. PhD: University of Illinois, Civil Engineering (1971) Master's: University of Illinois, Civil Engineering (1968) Bachelor's: Middle East Technical University, Civil Engineering (1966) His research focuses on seismic risk assessment, structural behavior under extreme loads, and disaster mitigation strategies. Key contributions include earthquake simulator development, ground motion analysis, and retrofitting techniques for masonry and reinforced concrete structures. He has published extensively on deformation limits, response spectra, and historical building preservation. Recent work includes 15+ articles from 2024-2012 analyzing Istanbul's seismic hazards, Marmara region dynamics, and post-earthquake structural integrity. Conference papers address Turkey's endemic building vulnerabilities and deformation thresholds for seismic isolation systems. Scientific Achievements: Elected to U.S. National Academy of Engineering (2023) As an active journal reviewer for 13+ publications (2023-2024), he contributes to advancing earthquake engineering discourse. His teaching portfolio includes advanced structural analysis, concrete mechanics, and seismic design courses.
Mohd Ahmad Syed is a Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Manchester's Department of Civil Engineering and Management. His research focuses on climate change impacts on geotechnical infrastructure, resilient and sustainable infrastructure design, and earthquake engineering. He holds a PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and has industry experience with firms like Consulting Engineering Services (I) Pvt. Ltd and Dar Al-Handasah Consultants. Education: BTech (Hons) in Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2001) MTech in Geotechnical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2003) PhD in Seismic Analyses of Waterfront Structures, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2009) Research Interests: Climate change modelling for geotechnical infrastructure resilience Development of sustainable construction materials (e.g., bagasse ash) Seismic risk analysis for dams and tunnels in West Africa Artificial soil weathering techniques for laboratory testing Coupled numerical methods for embankment stability under climate scenarios Editorial Activities: Assistant Editor, International Journal of Geomechanics (ASCE) Assistant Editor, Indian Geotechnical Journal (Springer) Key Achievements: Developed first-of-its-kind displacement-based S-curve for seismic earth pressure analysis Co-developed methodologies for post-liquefaction pile behavior and blast-loaded tunnels Guided 10 PhD/MSc students in geotechnical resilience and sustainability topics
Joey Yang is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), serving as Associate Director of the Alaska University Transportation Center and Director of the Geotechnical and Frozen Ground Engineering Research Laboratory. His expertise spans geotechnical and earthquake engineering with a focus on cold regions, including permafrost dynamics, infrastructure resilience, and de-icing technologies. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, and a B.S. from Chengdu University of Science and Technology. Education: Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis B.S., Hydraulic Engineering, Chengdu University of Science and Technology Research Interests: Dr. Yang's work addresses geotechnical challenges in cold regions, including permafrost thaw, seismic site response, frozen soil-pile interaction, and fungal mycelium-based biofoams for insulation. His research is funded by NSF EPSCoR, USGS, USDOT, and others. Professional Contributions: Chief Editor, ASCE Journal of Cold Regions Engineering Editorial Board Member, Cold Regions Science and Technology Keynote/Theme Session Speaker at International Permafrost and Earthquake Conferences Awards: Arctic Kicker Prize (2015) Outstanding Reviewer Awards (2010, 2014) ASTM Technical Editors Award (2014) Advising & Grants: Dr. Yang has advised over 20 visiting scholars and secured multi-million-dollar grants for cold regions infrastructure research. His lab focuses on advancing technologies for permafrost engineering, seismic resilience, and sustainable construction. Labs/Teams: Leads the Geotechnical and Frozen Ground Engineering Research Laboratory, collaborating with global partners on cold regions challenges.
Andrew S. Whittaker is a SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York . He serves as Director of the Institute of Bridge Engineering and Interim Director of the Stephen Still Institute for Sustainable Transportation and Logistics , both within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences . A registered Civil and Structural Engineer in California, Whittaker specializes in structural and earthquake engineering, bridge engineering, blast and impact engineering, performance-based engineering, and nuclear structures. Research Interests: His work focuses on seismic isolation systems for nuclear reactors, fluid-structure interaction in advanced reactor vessels, gamma radiation effects on materials, and the dynamic behavior of graphite blocks in high-temperature gas reactors (HTGRs). He also explores the commodification of microreactors and soil-structure interaction for seismically isolated facilities. Scientific Awards: Distinguished Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (2025) Untermyer & Cisler Reactor Technology Medal (2023) Nathan M. Newmark Medal (2023) Fellow of multiple societies (ASCE, SEI, ACI) Awards and grants highlight his leadership in nuclear safety, seismic engineering, and reactor design.
David Henderson is the Director of the Cyclone Testing Station (CTS) in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at James Cook University, Australia. He has over two decades of experience as a research engineer specializing in the performance of low-rise buildings under extreme wind conditions. He previously served as the CTS Research Fellow and Manager, and was seconded as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, working on full-scale house testing under simulated wind loads. His work bridges engineering research, disaster assessment, and policy development. David's research focuses on wind engineering, structural resilience, and disaster mitigation. His key interests include cyclonic wind loading, internal and external pressure dynamics in buildings, fatigue failure of structural connections, and the vulnerability of housing to severe wind events. He has conducted post-disaster surveys across Australia and Canada, assessing damage from cyclones, tornadoes, and earthquakes. His research has direct applications in building codes, retrofitting strategies, and community risk reduction. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in understanding and mitigating wind-induced damage to residential structures, particularly through full-scale testing, modeling of pressure dynamics, and fragility assessment of roofing systems. His work spans experimental, theoretical, and policy-oriented domains, with a growing emphasis on climate change adaptation and community resilience. Topics such as internal pressure design, load sharing in roof frames, and retrofitting for wind resistance are central to his contributions. 14 research awards (specific names not listed) Active member of Standards Australia code committees Invited speaker at national and international conferences Media contributor on storm damage and building safety David has led multiple research projects funded by councils and agencies focused on extreme wind mitigation, data systems (SWIRLnet), and community risk reduction. While formal student supervision is not explicitly listed, he collaborates extensively with researchers such as John Ginger, Korah Parackal, and Daniel Smith. He has contributed to major studies involving wind load testing, housing vulnerability modeling, and climate adaptation planning. David is a key figure in the Cyclone Testing Station, leading its full-scale testing program and contributing to the development of software for controlled load and measurement systems. His team conducts wind risk assessments for communities and large installations, incorporating terrain analysis and retrofitting evaluations. The CTS serves as a national resource for wind engineering research and disaster resilience innovation.
Professor Hing-Ho Tsang is the Chair in Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Dundee, with over a decade of academic experience in Australia and Hong Kong. His research focuses on advancing sustainable infrastructure solutions, earthquake resilience, and green technologies to enhance building and infrastructure safety against natural disasters. He holds a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) certification and advises governments and industries on building codes and seismic design guidelines. Tsang chairs the Global Network for Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI) and serves as the Australian National Delegate to the International Association for Earthquake Engineering (IAEE). His expertise spans geotechnical seismic isolation, recycled materials in construction, and structural dynamics, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like resilient infrastructure, circular economy, and climate action. With over 200 publications and a career-long impact ranking in Civil Engineering, Tsang has received prestigious awards including the R W Chapman Medal and Research Impact Award. Research Focus: Seismic design, sustainable construction, bio-inspired materials, and geotechnical isolation systems. Awards: Top Cited Article (2021–2022), Teaching Excellence Award (2022), and multiple international recognitions. Leadership Roles: Editorial board member for Geosynthetics International , organizer of the 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering technical session. His work emphasizes equity-driven engineering solutions, fostering inclusive and disaster-resilient communities. Current projects include innovative modular building systems and AI-driven seismic response models.
Dr. Terje Haukaas is a Professor of Structural & Earthquake Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science. He holds a PhD and Master's from UC Berkeley (2003, 1999) and a bachelor's from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (1996). His research focuses on probabilistic modeling, structural reliability, and earthquake engineering, with contributions to software development (e.g., FERUM, OpenSees). He teaches courses like Structural Analysis, Nonlinear Analysis, and Reliability & Safety. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley, 2003 Master's in Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley, 1999 Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim, 1996 Engineering Degree (Stavanger University College, 1994) and Technician Degree (Stavanger Technical College, 1992) Research Interests: Probabilistic mechanics and reliability analysis Seismic vulnerability and risk assessment Software tools for finite element analysis (FERUM, OpenSees) Timber engineering and structural optimization Awards & Recognition: UBC Killam Teaching Prize (2016) President of CERRA (2015–2019) Keynote/Semi-plenary speaker at major conferences (ICASP12, COMPDYN 2017) Student Appreciation Awards (Top Professor rankings) Grants & Labs: Recipient of grants supporting seismic risk research Developed computational frameworks for structural analysis
