Rice University President Reginald DesRoches, a nationally recognized leader in resilient infrastructure and engineering education, has been elected to the 2025 class of distinguished members of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) — the organization’s highest honor short of the presidency.
The ASCE distinguished membership is reserved for individuals who have attained eminence in the civil engineering profession and have made notable contributions to the advancement of engineering knowledge and practice. Fewer than 700 civil engineers have received the honor since it was established in 1853.
In a press release, the ASCE said DesRoches is being recognized for “his notable contributions to the development of effective national policies on disaster mitigation and community resiliency and his leadership and mentorship to improve engineering education.”
DesRoches will be officially inducted during the ASCE 2025 Convention in Seattle Oct. 9.
“This recognition from ASCE is deeply meaningful to me,” DesRoches said. “I’ve dedicated my career to improving infrastructure systems and mentoring the next generation of civil engineers, so it is especially humbling to be included among so many people I’ve admired throughout my career.”
A structural engineer by training, DesRoches is known for his groundbreaking research in earthquake engineering, disaster resilience and infrastructure risk reduction. His studies have influenced national policies and provided critical tools for assessing and mitigating the seismic vulnerability of bridges and lifeline systems. He led the first comprehensive study of bridge vulnerability in the central and southeastern U.S., resulting in updated practices in bridge design and retrofit.
In 2010, he served as the technical lead for the U.S. response to the devastating Haiti earthquake, guiding a team of 28 experts to assess damage and inform rebuilding efforts.
Now as president of Rice, DesRoches is steering a bold era of expansion, overseeing a 30% growth in student enrollment, record faculty hiring, new academic programs and global initiatives, including the recent launch of Rice Global India in Bengaluru.
“Whether it’s through research, education or institutional leadership, my goal has always been to create systems, both physical and academic, that are resilient, inclusive and forward-looking,” DesRoches said. “This honor is a reflection of the many mentors, colleagues and students who have shaped and inspired my work.”
DesRoches is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He holds a doctorate in structural engineering and a master’s in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.