Congratulations to Scientia Professor Nasser Khalili
CIES Professor Nasser Khalili has been appointed as a Scientia Professor by UNSW.
Nominated by their peers and selected based on an impressive portfolio of international research success, Scientia Professors embody UNSW's highest values, including leadership, innovation, creativity, teamwork and, above all, excellence.
As Head of School Professor Travis Waller said, in announcing the news, “This is a massive achievement and is in recognition of Nasser’s exceptional performance across the full spectrum of academic activity - teaching, research, leadership and engagement.
“In addition to being an absolute leader of research and teaching, Nasser has graciously provided long-term service through pivotal School and Faculty leadership roles in addition to numerous critical University and professional committees (each consuming substantial personal time). “
“Most recently, Nasser led the successful ARC Industry Transformation Research Hub proposal on “Resilient and Intelligent Infrastructure Systems (RIIS) in Urban, Resources and Energy Sectors". The funding is for 5 years and includes $5mil from the ARC, $5.7mil from industry and $1.3 from the university partners. The project is supported by 17 leading industry partners and more than 20 Chief Investigators. The research hub has helped secure the School’s ongoing domain research leadership into the future.
Nasser joins his colleagues Mark Bradford and David Waite as the School’s third Scientia Professor. Warm congratulations from everyone at the School to Nasser, who has been a great leader and manager in good times and in the current challenging ones!
About Nasser: Nasser Khalili is currently the Deputy Head of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CVEN), Deputy Director of the School’s Centre for Infrastructure, Engineering & Safety (CIES) and head of geotechnical engineering at CVEN. He has served as CVEN’s acting Head of School, and as Associate Dean, Research at UNSW Engineering.
Scientia Professor Khalili’s publications are prolific, awarded, often cited, and highly regarded, particularly his work in unsaturated soil mechanics and computational geo-mechanics. He is credited with the development of the first thermodynamically consistent framework for constitutive modelling of unsaturated porous media. Similarly, his research into the mechanics of double porosity media has set an international benchmark in numerical modelling of fractured porous media.
Nasser is regularly invited to speak at conferences, deliver specialised workshops for practicing engineers and consults widely on engineering matters within his area of expertise, maintaining vital ties with industry, other academic institutions, peak bodies and government. He sits on three international editorial boards, numerous industry and university bodies and has been a visiting or honorary academic in China, France, the UK, USA and Canada.
