Lisa Tobber

Assistant Professor

Civil, School of Engineering

Other Titles: Principal’s Research Chairs (PRC) Tier 2 – Resilient Buildings & BC Housing Professorship in Resilient Reinforced Concrete Buildings
Email: ltobber@mail.ubc.ca

Research Summary

Structural engineering; tall buildings; seismic design of precast concrete; disaster resilient buildings; reinforced concrete buildings

Courses & Teaching

ENGR 414 / APSC514 Precast Concrete Structures
APSC 261 Theory of structures

Biography

Dr. Lisa Tobber is an Assistant Professor of civil engineering at the University of British Columbia’s School of Engineering. She develops innovative structural systems for mid-rise and high-rise buildings that facilitate a low-damage response following large natural disasters, such as earthquakes. Using advanced numerical simulations and large-scale experimental testing, she develops resilient, sustainable, and smart cities.

Dr. Tobber believes in being both innovative and practical. She has established many strong partnerships with industry, including engineering consultants, concrete and precast concrete producers, and contractors. These industry partnerships lead to impactful, real-world results which can be readily implemented in practice. As the lead researcher of the Advanced Structural Simulation and Experimental Testing (ASSET) Group, she and her team approach their research with a holistic perspective that considers the social, environmental, and economic factors behind the vast engineering problems faced today. Combating natural disasters and the climate crisis takes the ingenuity and creativity of an inclusive group of diverse individuals with a range of expertise and lived experiences.

As Principal’s Research Chair in Women in Engineering and chair of the Women in the School of Engineering Committee, Dr Tobber is committed to championing the success of female engineering students, practitioners, and faculty. Dr. Tobber also leads the Build Better Research Cluster.

Websites

Advanced Structural Simulation & Experimentation Group

Build Better Research Cluster

Degrees

PhD – (Structural Engineering) University of British Columbia, Canada
BASc – (Civil Engineering) University of British Columbia, Canada

Research Interests & Projects

• Design and development of resilient and sustainable buildings
• Precast concrete Buildings
• Tall buildings
• Seismic design of reinforced concrete structures
• Advanced numerical simulation
• Earthquake engineering
• Innovative systems
• Energy dissipation devices