May 9, 2025 | Krutch Theater, UC Berkeley – Clark Kerr Campus

 

UC Berkeley and SFGI ASCE are pleased to announce the 43rd Annual Geosystems Engineering Distinguished Lecture Series, an event that holds special significance this year as it also marks the retirement of Professor Nicholas Sitar from UC Berkeley.

Professor Sitar, a highly esteemed senior member of the GeoSystems group, has made substantial contributions to the field of geotechnical engineering. To honor his legacy, this year’s distinguished lecture series will feature doctoral graduates who collaborated with Dr. Sitar over the years. The diverse range of speakers and topics will reflect the breadth of research and expertise that Dr. Sitar has fostered throughout his career.

 

Schedule

• 8:30 - 8:50 AM – Registration and Coffee, Krutch Theater lobby
• 8:50 - 9:00 AM – Welcome and Recognition of Sponsors
• 9:00 - 9:30 AM – “A Sinking Central Valley – Nick, Look What You Roped Me Into!” – Dr. Bill Mok, Vice President, GSI Environmental Inc.
• 9:30 - 10:00 AM – “Stabilization/Solidification of Acid Tar Lagoon Materials” – Dr. Dennis Grubb, Technology Fellow, Jacobs
• 10:00 - 10:30 AM – “Monitoring of Slopes: Then and Now” – Dr. Scott Anderson, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, BGC Engineering

 

[25 Minute Break] – Coffee and refreshments served

 

• 10:55 - 11:25 AM – “Evaluating Coastal Landslide Susceptibility: Integrating Geological Observations into Geotechnical Analysis” – Dr. Brian Collins, USGS
• 11:25 - 11:55 AM – “Capturing Kinematics in Numerical Simulations of Hydraulic Plucking in Fractured Rock” – Prof. Michael Gardner, UC Davis
• 11:55 - 12:25 PM – “Berkeley and Beyond: DDA to UAV's” – Prof. Mary McLaughlin, Montana Tech

 

[60 Minute Break] – Lunch served

 

• 1:25 - 1:55 PM – “Material Point Method for Large Deformation Analysis” – Prof. Gang Wang, HKUST
• 1:55 - 2:25 PM – “Hard-Rock Site Adjustments for Western North America Consistent with Ground Motion Models” – Dr. Linda Al Atik, Linda Alatik Consulting
• 2:25 - 2:55 PM – “Tourism at Risk: Adapting Destinations to Climate and Disaster Challenges” – Bijan Khazai, CEO, Risklayer GmbH and Hotel Resilient

 

[25 Minute Break] – Coffee and refreshments served

 

• 3:20 - 3:50 PM – “The Flow of Geological Engineering” – Dr. Ken Johnson, WSP
• 3:50 - 4:20 PM – “The Quest for Resilient Housing and Saving Lives” – Dr. Elizabeth Hausler, Build Change
• 4:20 - 4:40 PM – “A Bit of Berkeley History” – Prof. Scott Ashford, Oregon State
• 4:40 - 5:30 PM – “Geology Runs Through It: The Many Lives of Sand” – Prof. Nicholas Sitar, UC Berkeley
• 5:30 - 5:35 PM – Closing Remarks
• 5:35 - 6:30 PM – Social (with Appetizers and Beverages)
• 6:30 - 8:00 PM – Dinner
• 8:00 - 8:30 PM – Celebration of GeoEngineering and Professor Nicholas Sitar

 

Join the Event

This event is a unique opportunity for professionals, researchers, and students in the field of Geotechnical and Geological Engineering to learn from distinguished experts while celebrating Professor Nicholas Sitar’s outstanding career.

We invite all colleagues, former students, and professionals to attend this momentous occasion.
 

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