Bernard Laval named new head of Civil Engineering

Bernard Laval, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, has been named the new head of the UBC Department of Civil Engineering. His five-year term will begin on July 1, 2019.

Co-director of the UNBC/UBC Environmental Engineering Program and former Associate Head of Undergraduate Students in the Department of Civil Engineering, Laval has demonstrated outstanding leadership and administrative skills since joining APSC in 2002. He has also shown a strong commitment to supporting student clubs, promoting and recognizing student achievements, enhancing the quality and diversity of the department’s student body and otherwise ensuring that students have a positive experience at the Faculty.

The recipient of a Killam Teaching Prize, numerous appreciation awards from the Civil Engineering Undergraduate Club and the Applied Science Excellence in Service Award, Laval holds a bachelor’s in engineering physics from UBC, a master’s in physical oceanography from McGill University and a PhD in environmental engineering from the University of Western Australia. He has over 25 years of research experience in applied fluid mechanics of inland and coastal waters, including three years developing autonomous underwater vehicles for use as instrument platforms for the study of lakes and coastal waters.

Laval will succeed Perry Adebar, a civil engineering professor and fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, whose invaluable contributions to the Department of Civil Engineering over the past several years are deeply appreciated.