Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day: Lassonde Professor Stavroula Pantazopoulou elected as Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering
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International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) honours the achievements and contributions of women in the field worldwide, highlighting their pivotal roles in driving innovation and technological advancement. At York University, the Lassonde School of Engineering is redefining and amplifying women representation in engineering, fostering an inclusive environment where diversity thrives. To celebrate INWED, the School is showcasing the achievements of its leading-edge women researchers.
One such achievement is the recent recognition of Stavroula Pantazopoulou, a Professor in the Civil Engineering Department, who was elected as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). This distinction reflects her significant research impact and dedication to science and engineering, further underscoring the exceptional contributions of women at Lassonde.
The CAE is a prestigious organization comprised of hundreds of Fellows across Canada who have made remarkable contributions to the field of engineering, both nationally and internationally.
Each year, the CAE invites a small number of highly accomplished individuals demonstrating extraordinary contributions in engineering to become Fellows of the organization.
Through leadership, integrity and research excellence, CAE Fellows are committed to transforming the future of engineering and building partnerships within the organization to cultivate solutions for global challenges.
“For me, this award represents the most important recognition of my work – no other award compares to this one,” says Professor Pantazopoulou. “In short, I am overjoyed and honoured to be a part of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.”
This commendation is a testament to the transformative efforts Professor Pantazopoulou has made to the field of structural engineering. Her research focuses on addressing a range of complex and emerging infrastructure concerns such as sustainability, resilience, ageing and the need to protect the built environment against natural hazards.
In particular, she dedicates her work to enhancing the structural design of various infrastructure, to improve resistance against seismic activity and other extreme events. This research directly contributes to the advancement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Though modern infrastructure is typically developed with resilient materials, many older buildings are constructed with less advanced components, posing safety risks to occupants. To address this concern, Professor Pantazopoulou’s work aims to upgrade and retrofit older buildings with new and innovative materials.
“Currently, I work on retrofitting solutions of bridge piers using Ultra High-Performance Concrete, which is a relatively new material with spectacular compressive strength, durability – and the unusual property of ductility in tension,” she says. “I also work on several other applications of earthquake engineering, both computational and experimental. However, in recent years, a coveted field of my research is developing methods of evaluation and retrofit for monuments and historical constructions. I am exploring methods that are compatible with international treaties to reversibly and non-invasively preserve and protect buildings of cultural heritage.”
As a newly appointed CAE Fellow, Professor Pantazopoulou is positioned to further advance the field of structural engineering, elevating her research to new heights.
Through initiatives that promote mentorship, education, and advocacy, Lassonde is empowering the next generation of women engineers to break barriers, drive change, and make lasting impacts in their communities and beyond. In celebrating International Women in Engineering Day, the School proudly showcases its commitment to transforming perceptions and creating a future where all talents flourish without boundaries.