In recognition of his outstanding career in the field of engineering mechanics, professor Paolo Gardoni has been named a Fellow of the Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). EMI is the premier interdisciplinary organization of engineering mechanics that promotes research and the application of scientific and mathematical principles to address existing and emerging engineering and societal issues.
EMI chooses Fellows through a rigorous selection process that evaluates the distinguished record of research, accomplishments and service to the Institute of current members who are nominated. The process specifically considers the nominees’ quality and impact of work, participation in EMI conferences, involvement in EMI committees and publication in EMI journals.
Gardoni, the Alfredo H. Ang Family Professor and Excellence Faculty Scholar in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering, has a comprehensive history of research excellence and dedication to advancing the mission of EMI. Most recently, Gardoni served as co-chair of the 2024 EMI Conference, providing the leadership necessary to successfully organize the first EMI Conference hosted by the University of Illinois. Notably, the decision by Gardoni and fellow Illinois Professor Arif Masud, conference co-chair, to move the conference from the Urbana-Champaign campus to downtown Chicago increased accessibility for traveling scholars and professionals, resulting in record attendance.
In the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gardoni directs the MAE Center, which focuses on creating a multi-hazard approach to engineering. He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Reliability Engineering and System Safety (Impact Factor = 11.0) published by Elsevier. His research interests include reliability, risk, and life cycle analysis; probabilistic mechanics; and modeling of natural hazards and societal impact. He has authored over 250 journal papers, 29 book chapters, and 10 edited volumes, and has delivered over 90 invited, plenary, and keynote lectures.
Gardoni additionally was the 2021 recipient of the ASCE Alfredo Ang Award on Risk Analysis and Management of Civil Infrastructure, which he received in commendation for his contributions to risk, reliability, and resilience analysis, and his leadership in these fields.
He was formally elevated to the rank of Fellow at the 2025 EMI Conference, which took place May 27-30 in Anaheim, Calif.