A leading researcher in the development of more durable and sustainable concrete has been named the head of the School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Oregon State University.
Jason Weiss most recently was the Jack and Kay Hockema Professor of Civil Engineering at Purdue University, and director of the Pankow Materials Laboratories. At OSU, he will direct the Kiewit Center for Infrastructure and Transportation Research and hold the Miles Lowell and Margaret Watt Edwards Distinguished Chair in Engineering.
Weiss is an expert in reducing the potential for cracking in concrete, predicting the service life for concrete pavements and reinforced concrete structures, improving the durability of concrete pavements and structures, and developing improved practices for making concrete more sustainable.
At Purdue, Weiss also explored new educational methods, such as experiential learning, new delivery methods for teaching, peer instruction, specialized graduate short courses, and Internet-based lectures to facilitate continuing education. He is developing specialized course modules in internal curing, service life and sustainability for construction materials.
"My vision as head of the School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Oregon State is to create a welcoming culture that enables faculty, staff and students to succeed in all aspects of the creation, synthesis and transmission of knowledge," Weiss says.
Weiss has authored more than 135 peer-reviewed journal articles and is recipient of the National Science Foundation Career Award and multiple honors in the concrete, construction and engineering fields. He also received 10 awards for teaching and advising at Purdue, including the university’s highest undergraduate teaching honor.
"We're excited to have Jason join our rapidly growing engineering community here at Oregon State," says Scott Ashford, Dean of the College of Engineering and the former head of the School of Civil and Construction Engineering. "He brings an excellent combination of research and teaching skills, as well as a visionary approach to leadership."
