Julian C. smith Medal (2005)
Dr. Michael
Isaacson – Nominated
by the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
Michael Isaacson received his Bachelors,
Masters and PhD from the University of Cambridge in England in civil
engineering,
specializing in hydraulics, coastal engineering and hydrodynamics. He
has spent
his career at the University of British
Columbia
where he is now Professor and Dean
of the Faculty of Applied Science.
Over his career Dr. Isaacson has pioneered and
developed new approaches and methodologies for the sub-disciplines of
coastal
and offshore hydrodynamics. This work contributed enormously to the
development
of Canada, especially when considering the extent of
coastal margins. These include: hydrodynamic loads on offshore
structures,
non-linear wave loads on offshore structures, experimental wave field
basins and,
ice notions near offshore structures, wave fields in harbours.
His work has set a standard for research and
his extensive publications and two books, especially the one on
“Mechanics of
Wave on Offshore Structures” is the most referenced and definitive book
in the
field. His international renown results in an “innumerable” number of
invitations to lecture in the UK, China, India, Israel, Japan, US, Australia among others. Also he is a
consultant for government agencies, major oil companies, engineering
companies
and law firms on a wide variety of engineering projects. Such include
design
wave criteria, wave loading, structural response predications, motion
response
of floating structures, sedimentation studies for coastal works,
tsunami
iodination, and structural failures due to waves. His impact on
Canadian
engineering is easy to appreciate, as well as recognition as an
international authority
on coastal and offshore hydrodynamics. Since taking the helm of the
faculty in
1997, Dr. Isaacson has proven to be a dynamic leader pursuing highly
relevant
initiatives to advance engineering in Canada. He is a strong proponent of
project-based learning, with the most divers and research-intensive
engineering
school in BC, graduating some 75% of BC’s engineers; and UBC ranks
consistently
among the top engineering schools in Canada, Little wonder that his
appointment
as Dean has recently been reviewed for another six years.
Dr. Isaacson is the recipient of several
provincial, national and international awards. He has been honoured by
the
association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists, has received
the
Camille Dagenais award for development of hydro technical engineering
in
Canada; is a Fellow of CSCE, ASCE, the CAE, and the Engineering
Institute of
Canada.
Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, we honour him as
the recipient of the Julian C. Smith Award for Achievement in the
Development
of Canada.
Madam
President - Dr. Michael Isaacson
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