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
Disaster Impacts and Code Developments
- Uncovering Disasters, Shaping the Future: Extreme Event Reconnaissance and Investigations for a Safer Built Environment
- Against all Odds: Lessons in Resilience from 30 years of Observations
- Coordination Plan for Post-Earthquake Investigations supported by NEHRP (2024 USGS Circular 1542)
- Future Hazards and Conditions: Overview and Needs for US Standards
- Building Code Evolution Due to Extreme Events
Innovation and Financial Decisions
- Embracing Innovative Methods and Technologies in Geo-Practice
- Better-than-Code Design through Functional Recovery Frameworks
- Communicating Hazards, Risks, and Making the Business Case for Resilience
- Flood/Earthquake Resilience Planning: Regional Assessments
- TRIP$: an Engineering Tool for Financial Decision Support - Transportation Risk/Resilience Investments Prioritization $olutions
Regional Practice
- Eastern US Geology and its Effects on Seismic Design
- Dried Lakes Do Tell Tales: the Mexico City Paradigm
- Highlights of Projects in New York City
- Highlights of Projects in Washington DC
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.
Submit a Host Application
Please note: The Geo-Institute will cover the lecturer’s travel expenses in accordance with ASCE travel guidelines. Local host groups will be responsible for local transportation, lodging, and meals associated with the visit.