Dr. Tadeh Zirakian is a Professor of Civil Engineering at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he has established a distinguished record as an educator, researcher, and mentor. He earned his Ph.D. with honors in Structural and Earthquake Engineering from UCLA and completed postdoctoral training at Loyola Marymount University. A licensed Professional Engineer in California and a LEED® Green Associate™, his expertise spans earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, thin-walled structures, performance-based seismic design, and sustainable and resilient building systems.
He has authored over 100 refereed journal and conference publications and serves on several editorial boards, including as Associate Editor for ASCE OPEN. His research has been supported by agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the CSU Chancellor’s Office. At CSUN, he has led externally funded projects on seismic resilience, advanced materials, retrofitting strategies, and engineering education innovation.
A recipient of awards such as the Engineers’ Council Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award and UCLA’s Outstanding Civil Engineering Ph.D. Award, Dr. Zirakian is equally recognized for his dedication to students. He has mentored award-winning undergraduate and graduate researchers, integrated sustainability into civil engineering curricula, and advanced equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM education.
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Postdoctoral Civil Engineering 2015, Loyola Marymount University
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Ph.D. Civil Engineering 2013, University of California, Los Angeles
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M.Sc. Structural Engineering 2005, Urmia University
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B.Sc. Civil Engineering 2002, Azad University
