Education
Ph.D., 1996, University of California, Berkeley
M.S., 1992, University of California, Berkeley
B.S., 1990, University of California, Berkeley
Research Interests
My research interests are in geotechnical earthquake engineering and engineering seismology, with emphases on seismic soil-structure interaction, earthquake ground motion characterization, site response, seismic ground failure, and the seismic performance of structural fills and levee embankments. A hallmark of the research performed with my students and collaborators is to learn from past earthquakes, to utilize those lessons (in a manner consistent with first principles) to improve understanding of seismic and geotechnical phenomena, and to apply that understanding to the development of practical models that address important needs. Results from my research group are widely utilized in engineering practice, including through the National Seismic Hazard Model, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, and the American Society of Civil Engineers' guidelines for new and existing structures.
I am a registered PE in California and maintain an active consulting practice related to seismic hazard analysis, site response, seismic performance assessment, and geotechnical engineering for private and public agencies world-wide.
Selected Awards and Honors
- Elected Member, National Academy of Engineering, 2024
- Academy of Distinguished Alumni, University of California, Berkeley, Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, 2024
- Erskine Fellowship, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2020
- Outstanding Paper Award for Vol. 33 (2017) of Earthquake Spectra, EERI, 2019 (with Kioumars Afshari and Christine Goulet)
- Bruce Bolt Medal, Cosmos, EERI, and SSA, 2018
- William B. Joyner Lecture Award, EERI and SSA, Lecture Video, 2016
- Distinguished Teaching Award, UCLA Academic Senate, 2012
- Elected Fellow, ASCE, 2009
- Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize, ASCE, 2008
- Outstanding Paper Award for Vol. 21 (2005) of Earthquake Spectra, EERI, 2007 (with Yoojoong Choi)
- Shamsher Prakash Research Award, Shamsher Prakash Foundation / Geo-Institute, 2006
- Fulbright Scholarship, Senior Lecturer in Italy, United States Department of State, 2005
- Northrop-Grumman Excellence in Teaching Award, UCLA Samueli Engineering, 2003
- Arthur Casagrande Professional Development Award, ASCE, 2001
- Favorite Professor Award, UCLA Student Chapter of ASCE, 1999, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2014
- Faculty Early Career Development Award, NSF, 1998
- Graduate Fellow in Earthquake Hazard Reduction, EERI, 1995