Sissy Nikolaou, PhD, PE, BC.GE, F.ASCE, is a senior leader in geotechnical and earthquake engineering at the Disaster Impact Reduction Office of NIST, where she is appointed to serve as lead project investigator for the national investigation into the 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse.
With 25+ years of experience shaping global skylines and critical infrastructure and responding to extreme events, her applied research bridges the gap between advanced engineering, multi-hazard resilience, and financial viability.
A passionate advocate for future-proofing communities, Sissy’s transformational work translates complex risk landscapes into actionable planning decisions with direct impacts on advancing codes and standards. She has deeply integrated the geoprofession into her professional activities, which includes dedicated and scholarly mentorship of many GI members. Beyond her investigative work and applied research, she is a recognized leader in the engineering community, having served as ASCE-GI President (2022-23), Director for EERI and ATC, and as current Chair of the NYC Seismic Code committee. Her accolades include the prestigious Department of Commerce Gold Medal, the Prakash Award for Excellence, and recognition as Engineer of the Year by both ASCE MetSection and the University at Buffalo.
Potential Lecture Topics
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Host Applications Now Open
G-I Chapters and GSOs interested in hosting a Cross-USA Lecture Tour 2026-2027 lecture with Dr. Sissy Nikolaou are invited to submit a host application. The application deadline is June 6, 2026.