Isaac E. Elishakoff, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Florida Atlantic University’s Isaac E. Elishakoff, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Masanobu Shinozuka Medal by the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Engineering Mechanics Institute.

This distinguished honor recognizes Elishakoff’s seminal contributions to the fields of random vibrations, structural reliability, and nonlinear buckling simulation of shells – areas that have had a profound impact on civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering disciplines worldwide.

The Masanobu Shinozuka Medal was established in 2013 by the ASCE board of directors to honor the legacy of the late Masanobu Shinozuka, Ph.D., a pioneering figure in stochastic systems and earthquake engineering who passed away in 2018. The medal bearing his name is awarded to engineers whose outstanding contributions in stochastic mechanics, reliability, risk assessment and simulation have shaped the profession and benefited society.

Receiving this award places Elishakoff among a distinguished group of eminent engineers who have significantly advanced engineering science and practice through innovative research and impactful applications.

“I am deeply humbled and very honored to receive the Masanobu Shinozuka Medal named after a pioneer whose work has inspired generations of engineers,” said Elishakoff. “To be recognized with an award bearing his name, alongside so many esteemed colleagues who have received this honor before me, is a privilege and a notable milestone in my career. This recognition not only celebrates my research but also reflects the collaborative spirit and shared dedication of our engineering community to advancing knowledge and protecting public safety worldwide.”

In 2016, Elishakoff received another prestigious award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Worchester Reed Warner Medal, with previous recipients from MIT, Stanford University, Northwestern University, Columbia University, Duke University, among others. In 2021, Elishakoff was a recipient of the Blaise Pascal Medal by the European Academy of Sciences.

Elishakoff joined FAU in 1989 and has since built an exemplary career marked by groundbreaking achievements, international recognition and dedicated mentorship. His research has advanced the understanding of complex structural behaviors under uncertain conditions, influencing design codes and engineering standards used around the globe.

“Receiving the Masanobu Shinozuka Medal is a remarkable achievement for Professor Elishakoff and a source of great pride for Florida Atlantic University,” said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “His revolutionary contributions to stochastic mechanics and structural reliability have had a transformative impact on civil engineering research and practice worldwide. Through his unwavering commitment to scholarship, innovation and mentorship, he not only enhances the prestige of our university but also inspires our entire community to strive for excellence in engineering.”

Elishakoff is a highly esteemed figure in engineering, holding fellowships with multiple prestigious organizations, including the European Academy of Sciences, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Japan Society for Promotion of Science, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Noel Challemel, Ph.D.,  University of Brittany, France; Julius Kaplunov, Ph.D., D.Sc., University of Keele, United Kingdom; and Izuru Takewaki, D.Eng., Kyoto University, Japan, served as editors of a three-volume book titled, “Modern Trends in Structural and Solid Mechanics (Volume 1),” dedicated to Elishakoff. This multi-volume work stands as a distinctive tribute to the FAU researcher.

This past year, Elishakoff was honored as a Theodore von Kármán Fellow at the University of Aachen, Federal Republic of Germany. Kármán was a professor in Aachen (1913-30) before moving to the United States to direct the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory at Caltech. He helped found the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and became the first chairman of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ Scientific Advisory Group. Kármán also contributed to founding the International Council of Aeronautical Sciences and the Von Kármán Institute for Fluid Dynamics, as well as receiving the first National Medal of Science from former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

Elishakoff has also served as a Distinguished Research Professor at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology – a leading university worldwide – since 2013. At FAU, he is the inaugural recipient of the President’s Award for Career Achievement.

Over the years, Elishakoff has authored more than 620 scientific papers published in leading international journals and is credited with writing or editing 34 books. Among these is his acclaimed work, “Probabilistic Methods in the Theory of Structures: Random Strength of Materials, Random Vibration, and Buckling,” which has been hailed by peers as one of the best and most comprehensive texts available on the subject. His contributions extend beyond research as he has mentored more than 80 graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and visiting researchers, nurturing future leaders in engineering.

In addition to his technical contributions, Elishakoff’s impressive five books over five years continue to influence engineers and researchers worldwide. His work addresses critical topics ranging from probabilistic structural analysis to the philosophies of structural safety and reliability, blending rigorous theory with practical applications. For example, his book on the dramatic effects of cross-correlations in random vibrations challenges long-held assumptions in engineering practice, urging more accurate modeling of complex dynamic interactions.

Elishakoff’s career exemplifies a commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge while addressing real-world challenges through innovative technology and education. His mentorship of students and junior colleagues emphasizes the importance of applying cutting-edge research to societal needs, ensuring the next generation of engineers is prepared to continue this vital work.

-FAU-