Dr. Hegemier’s career at UCSD began in 1966, and he has since made numerous significant contributions to the university and the broader engineering community.
LA JOLLA, CA, October 18, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — Gilbert Arthur Hegemier, PhD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Hegemier is Distinguished Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he has dedicated over 55 years to structural engineering. His expertise in earthquake engineering and blast mitigation has earned him recognition as an innovator and leader. Dr. Hegemier’s career at UCSD began in 1966, and he has since made numerous significant contributions to the university and the broader engineering community. He is listed as one of UCSD’s “Founding Faculty”.
Throughout his tenure at UCSD, Dr. Hegemier has held various roles, including teaching engineering, applied mechanics, applied physics and applied mathematics courses. He also established the large structural engineering laboratory complex known as The Powell Laboratories and served as its director for many years. In addition, he initiated the Department of Structural Engineering (SE) and served as its chair for a number of years. Dr. Hegemier’s research programs span earthquake engineering, blast mitigation and aerospace engineering, reflecting his diverse expertise.
Dr. Hegemier’s pioneering work in developing structural retrofitting techniques using advanced carbon fiber-reinforced polymer-type composites (CFRP’s) has been particularly impactful. His methods have enhanced both earthquake safety and blast protection of critical structures in the US and abroad. Here he has shown that, by applying an appropriate number of thin layers of CFRPs to structural elements such as columns and walls, one can cost- effectively reinforce them against damage, showcasing his innovative approach to mitigating earthquake and blast threats.
Dr. Hegemier’s academic journey culminated in 1964 with a Doctor of Philosophy from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). His fields include applied physics and engineering with emphasis on solid mechanics and structures.
Active in his professional community, Dr. Hegemier is a member of several esteemed organizations, such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Association of Civil Engineers. Dr. Hegemier’s commitment to advancing his field has resulted in developing world-class facilities at UCSD, including an outdoor shake table capable of accommodating 10 – story buildings and the world’s only Blast Simulator. His transformative shift from aerospace engineering to earthquake engineering underscores his adaptability and dedication to addressing critical challenges.
Dr. Hegemier attributes much of his success to the rigorous education he received at Caltech and the collaborative environment at UCSD. His career took a pivotal turn after observing the aftermath of a significant earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua, in 1972, which led him to secure a grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct research in earthquake engineering.
In light of his success, Dr. Hegemier has been recognized with numerous awards, including the UCSD Chancellor’s Associate’s Shiley Achievement Award in 1994, the CERF (Civil Engineering Research Foundation) Charles Pankow Award for Innovation in 1996 and the Revelle Medal in 2022. Eager for future accomplishments, he is currently focused on contributing to quantum engineering. He believes that quantum computing will, in particular, revolutionize technology, similarly to artificial intelligence, and is actively working towards establishing a university entity dedicated to this emerging field.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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