MinerAlert
MinerAlert
The College of Engineering recognizes the retirement of Dr. Soheil Nazarian, McIntosh Murchison Chair Professor, following 37 years of service to the university. Since joining UTEP in 1988, Dr. Nazarian has been central to the Civil Engineering Department, making notable contributions in research, teaching, mentorship, and administration.
Dr. Nazarian is a respected international expert in geotechnical and pavement engineering. His research productivity includes over 120 funded projects and more than 300 co-authored publications. His most important contribution to the industry is the patented Seismic Pavement Analyzer, a non-destructive testing device used globally to evaluate the strength and condition of transportation infrastructure.
He was the founder and long-time Director of the Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CTIS), one of the College of Engineering top research centers. For 30 years, he built CTIS into a comprehensive facility known for managing complex, multidisciplinary projects and delivering useful, practical solutions for the transportation industry.
Dr. Nazarian’s greatest accomplishment is the success of the students he advised. He mentored over 100 Master’s and Ph.D. students, who now hold leadership roles in government, private industry, and academia. He also served in key administrative positions, including Campus Director for the NSF ASPIRE Engineering Research Center and Graduate Program Director, where he successfully reorganized and strengthened the M.S. and Ph.D. programs.
Dr. Nazarian’s work has earned wide recognition, including being named the 2024 Carl Monismith Honorary Lecturer by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the 2020 El Paso Engineer of the Year.
We thank Dr. Soheil Nazarian for his decades of commitment to UTEP and the engineering community. We wish him health, happiness, and rewarding new adventures in his retirement.