Professor Rupa Purasinghe serves as a faculty member in the Department of Civil Engineering at California State University, Los Angeles within the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology. He concurrently holds the position of Chair of the Technology Department and maintains registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in California. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, Ohio M.S. in Structural Engineering from Portland State University, Oregon B.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Dr. Purasinghe's research program integrates structural engineering innovation with educational technology, focusing on performance-based structural analysis, energy dissipation systems for seismic protection, and sustainable construction materials. His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical applications in earthquake engineering and green building technologies, while simultaneously developing web-based and mobile learning tools to transform engineering pedagogy. Publication analysis reveals two dominant research trajectories: seismic resilience of infrastructure through energy dissipation devices and sustainable construction systems, alongside significant contributions to educational technology. His structural engineering work addresses critical challenges in lifeline infrastructure at earthquake faults, non-ductile concrete buildings, and wood-based seismic systems, while his educational research pioneers mobile learning, vertically integrated classrooms, and collaborative project-based course redesign. His scholarly impact is recognized through: NCEES national award for Connecting Professional Practice and Education (2011) NCEES national award for Connecting Professional Practice and Education (2010) As Course Coordinator for the Civil Engineering Senior Design Projects, Dr. Purasinghe has successfully integrated professional practice with academic curriculum, creating nationally recognized experiential learning opportunities. His course redesign initiatives incorporate e-learning tools and collaborative projects to enhance student engagement and professional readiness. Dr. Purasinghe directs the Civil Engineering Senior Design Projects program and teaches computer-aided design laboratories, implementing vertically integrated classroom approaches where current research—such as the Linked Column Frame System and lifeline pipe testing—directly informs undergraduate structural engineering education.
