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The University of Calabria hosted Jonathan P. Stewart, full professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, one of the most authoritative scholars in the world in the field of seismic geotechnical engineering. The teacher held a scientific seminar organized by the Department of Environmental Engineering and promoted by Professor Maria Giovanna Durante.
The initiative took place as part of the activities of the VIS project, financed through the Calabria Complementary Operational Program 2014-2020, Priority Axis 12, CalabriAltaFormazione regional strategic project, aimed at enhancing and developing the university system, higher education and research in Calabria.
The seminar on the seismic response of lands
The seminar, entitled “Review of Site Response Modeling Conditional on HVSR”, addressed one of the most advanced topics in the field of seismic risk mitigation: the modeling of the local seismic response of lands and the use of horizontal/vertical spectral ratios, indicated with the acronym HVSR, to improve the understanding of site effects and the prediction of the seismic behavior of urbanized areas.
These are issues of particular interest for Calabria, a region characterized by significant exposure to seismic risk, in which knowledge of the geological and geotechnical characteristics of the territory represents a fundamental element for urban planning, infrastructure design and community safety.
Present to welcome Professor Stewart were, among others, Professor Maria Giovanna Durante and Professor Paolo Zimmaro, delegate of the rector of the University of Calabria for Internationalisation. Zimmaro’s presence took on a particular meaning, since the teacher was Stewart’s student during his training and research career in the United States.
An international reference in earthquake engineering
Jonathan P. Stewart is internationally recognized as one of the leading figures in the earthquake engineering sector. His research activities concern soil-structure interaction, the characterization of seismic hazard, local amplification effects, the seismic response of strategic infrastructures, the stability of embankments and dams and the study of geotechnical phenomena induced by earthquakes, including liquefaction and landslides.
During his career he has led and participated in numerous international scientific missions dedicated to the analysis of the effects of earthquakes in various countries, including the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey, Greece and Italy, contributing to the advancement of knowledge on the resilience of infrastructures and the reduction of natural risk.
Stewart’s scientific prestige is demonstrated by the numerous awards he has received. In 2024 he was elected a member of the United States National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest international scientific and technological honors. Since 2025 he has also been an honorary member of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. His awards also include the Bruce Bolt Medal and the Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has also held academic and scientific leadership roles, directing internationally referenced journals such as the Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering and Earthquake Spectra.
Professor Stewart’s visit confirms the University of Calabria’s ability to attract world-renowned scholars and promote opportunities for scientific discussion on topics relevant to the future of the territories. The event represented an opportunity for updating for teachers, researchers, professionals and students, strengthening the role of the Calabrian University in the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge at an international level.