Covering Venezuela? FIU experts ready to help

Dean Whitman

Professor
Earth and Environment
College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Dean Whitman received a bachelor’s degree in geophysics from the University of California Berkeley. After graduation, he worked as a seismic observer and staff geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey. Whitman continued on to earn a Ph.D. in geophysics from Cornell University. While at Cornell, his work focused on understanding the structure and evolution to the lithosphere beneath the Central Andean Plateau of Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Whitman has been a professor at FIU since 1993. At FIU, he has pursued a wide array of research interests including Andean tectonics, remote sensing using imagery and LIDAR, and hydrogeophysics. Whitman's current research applies geophysical methods to study saltwater intrusion in the southern Everglades.

Whitman has broadcast-quality interview clips available here.

Office: 305-348-3089
Email:  whitmand@fiu.edu

AtorodAzizinamini

Director, Infrastructure Research and Innovation
Director, Preeminent Institute for Resilient and Sustainable Coastal Infrastructure (InteRaCt)
Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering and Computing

One of the nation's leading bridge and infrastructure experts, Azizinamini specializes in resilient infrastructure, structural engineering and the performance of bridges under extreme events. His research includes seismic design, high-performance concrete and steel, structural resilience, accelerated bridge construction and infrastructure durability. He can discuss how earthquakes affect bridges and transportation systems, infrastructure resilience, post-disaster recovery and engineering strategies that reduce seismic risk.

Azizinaminihas broadcast-quality interview clips available here.

Office: 305-348-2802
Email:  aazizina@fiu.edu

Andres Tremante

CDSSEC and ENGINE Senior Director
Engineering and Computing

Tremante is a mechanical engineer whose expertise spans engineering systems, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and engineering innovation. A Venezuelan native, he can discuss the engineering challenges associated with earthquake recovery, infrastructure resilience, rebuilding efforts and the role of engineering education in preparing the next generation of disaster-response professionals. His experience in both academia and the oil and gas industry provides additional perspective on industrial infrastructure and workforce recovery following major natural disasters. Tremante has broadcast-quality interview clips available in English and Spanish here.

Office: 305-348-0149
Email: tremante@fiu.edu

Joseph P. Colaco

Distinguished Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering and Computing

An internationally recognized structural engineer known for designing some of the world's tallest buildings, Colaco is an expert in structural systems, high-rise engineering and resilient design. He can discuss how skyscrapers and modern buildings are engineered to withstand seismic forces and what determines structural performance during major earthquakes. Colaco is available for interviews in English and Spanish.

Email:  jcolaco@fiu.edu 

Jose Faria

Moss Endowed Chair, Moss School of Construction
Professor
College of Engineering and Computing

Faria specializes in construction management, infrastructure planning, optimization and land development. As a Venezuelan native, he can provide insight into the engineering, construction and infrastructure recovery challenges following earthquakes in Venezuela, including rebuilding strategies, risk mitigation and resilient construction practices. Faria is available for interviews in English and Spanish.

Office: 305-348-3541
Email:  fariaj@fiu.edu 

Mohammed Hadi

Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering and Computing

Hadi is an expert in transportation engineering and infrastructure systems. He can discuss how earthquakes affect highways, bridges, traffic operations and transportation networks, as well as engineering approaches for restoring critical transportation systems following major disasters.

Office: 305-348-0092
Email:  hadim@fiu.edu

Leonel Lagos

Director of Research, Applied Research Center
Associate Professor, Moss School of Construction
College of Engineering and Computing

Lagos leads multidisciplinary engineering research supporting critical infrastructure, advanced technologies and disaster resilience. His expertise includes infrastructure systems, robotics, engineering project management and technologies that improve emergency response, recovery and resilience following natural disasters. Lagos is available for interview in English and Spanish.

Office: 305-348-1810
Email:  lagosl@fiu.edu 

Arturo Leon

Associate Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering and Computing

Leon specializes in hydraulic engineering, water infrastructure and flood modeling. He can discuss how earthquakes affect dams, levees, canals, pipelines and water distribution systems, as well as engineering solutions that strengthen critical water infrastructure. Leon is available for interviews in English and Spanish.

Office: 305-348-1370
Email:  arleon@fiu.edu 

Hooman Vatankhah

Assistant Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering and Computing

Hooman Vatankhah is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Florida International University. His research group focuses on the characterization, occurrence, and monitoring of emerging contaminants, with an emphasis on advancing their removal and destruction through enhanced physico-chemical treatment processes. These efforts aim to improve water quality, protect ecosystems, and ultimately safeguard public health. Applications of his research span water and wastewater treatment, potable reuse, and the treatment of unconventional water resources.

Office: 305-348-2824
Email:  hvatankh@fiu.edu

Berrin Tansel

Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering and Computing

Tansel is an expert in environmental engineering, water quality and contaminant transport. She can discuss earthquake-related impacts on drinking water systems, wastewater infrastructure, environmental contamination and protecting public health following natural disasters. 

Ali Ebrahimian

Assistant Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering and Computing

Ebrahimian specializes in water resources engineering, urban stormwater hydrology and water quality, and sustainable water management. He can discuss the impacts of earthquakes on water supplysystems, the vulnerability of water infrastructure and urban communities, strategies for improving water infrastructure resilience and sustainability,and risk-informed planning to protectcritical water resources and infrastructure. 

Dulce Suarez

Assistant Director, AIDP Graduate Program
Academy for International Disaster Preparedness
Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

Suarez is an expert in crisis and disaster management with more than 10 years of experience in disaster response, recovery and resilience. In light of the earthquakes in Venezuela, she can discuss the role the Venezuelan diaspora can realistically play in supporting relief and recovery efforts, as well as the challenges of getting aid to those who need it most given the country’s existing infrastructure and communications constraints. She can also speak to why well-intentioned drives to collect and ship food, clothing and supplies can sometimes create additional logistical challenges, and why cash donations to experienced humanitarian organizations are often more effective. Her work has focused on hurricane mitigation research, disaster preparedness, resiliency and humanitarian response. Suarez is available for interviews in English and Spanish.

Suarez has broadcast-quality interview clips available in English and Spanish here.

Office: 305-348-0451
Email: dboza@fiu.edu