Reza Filizadeh
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE · UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN

Academic Background & Career

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a 4.0 GPA, licensed Professional Engineer, and experience spanning academia, structural engineering consulting, and nuclear safety.

Sep. 2019 – Jan. 2025
University of Vermont
Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering
Burlington, VT
GPA: 4.00 / 4.00
· Advisor: Dr. Eric M. Hernandez · Co-Advisor: Dr. David V. Rosowsky
· College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) Scholarship, 2019
Sep. 2013 – Sep. 2015
Sharif University of Technology
Master of Science, Structural Engineering
Tehran, Iran
Sep. 2009 – Sep. 2013
Sharif University of Technology
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Tehran, Iran
Dec. 2025 – Present
Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Nebraska-Lincoln · Omaha, NE
●Project: Integrated Bridge, Transportation Network, and Community Resilience Framework for Nebraska
●Mentors: Dr. Milad Roohi & Dr. Christine E. Wittich
Apr. 2025 – Nov. 2025
Senior Engineer
Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. · Los Angeles, CA
●Developed detailed finite element models to support demolition sequence planning for industrial buildings and piping systems in a chemical plant
●Conducted root-cause analysis of structural system failure using advanced linear and nonlinear finite element modeling
●Performed thermal analysis in SAP2000 and ABAQUS to evaluate thermal cracking in a high-rise concrete structure
●Executed seismic analysis of tall buildings to support code-compliance evaluations and litigation investigations
●Participated in site visits to support providing expert opinion for insurance claims by evaluating fire damage to timber building structural systems
Aug. 2022 – Feb. 2025
Project Consultant
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) · Los Angeles, CA
●Performed nuclear facility seismic walkdowns (SQUG methodology) and seismic evaluations for power plant equipment
●Supported development of probabilistic and deterministic in-structure response spectra for nuclear applications
●Conducted structural analysis and forensic investigations for litigation and insurance claims
Oct. 2025
Professional Engineer, PE Civil: Structural
California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
License Number: 98529
Apr. 2025
Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Evaluator
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
May 2024
SQUG Walkdown Screening and Seismic Evaluation
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc.
Registration Fee Grant
13th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering (13NCEE)
July 2026 · Portland, OR
Registration Fee Grant
NSF NHERI SimCenter at UC Berkeley
May 2026 · Berkeley, CA
Travel Grant Award
NSF NHERI RAPID 4-Day Workshop
July 2025 · Seattle, WA
Travel Grant Award
NSF NHERI Hybrid Simulation Workshop
June 2025 · Bethlehem, PA
Registration Grant Award
EERI Annual Meeting
April 2024 · Seattle, WA
Mini Grant Award
Travel and conference reimbursement, Graduate Student Senate (GSS), University of Vermont
2022
CEMS Scholarship
College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, University of Vermont
2019
Ranked 6th
Iran's Nationwide Ph.D. Entrance Exam in Structural Engineering (2,500+ qualified participants)
2015
Top 0.2%
Iran's Nationwide M.Sc. Entrance Exam in Civil Engineering (30,000+ participants)
2013
Top 0.1%
Iran's Nationwide University Entrance Exam (~300,000 participants)
2009
National Student Olympiad
Mathematics and Chemistry — National acceptance, Iran
2007 & 2008
NODET Acceptance
National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents, Iran
2005