As a recognized authority on structural safety and frame stability, Dr. Sher Ali Mirza has had a significant impact on improving structural engineering practice in North America.

With a lifelong dedication to innovative research, Dr. Mirza co-invented the patented Confined Capping System for compressive strength testing of high-strength, high-performance concrete. He used the results of his research on inverted T-girders to develop methods that are now widely used for the structural design of bridges.

Much of his research has been adopted by Canadian and American codes of practice. The safety requirements of both the Canadian code for the design of concrete structures and the American Concrete Institute building code are based on his work and are evidence of its applicability to practice.

That Dr. Mirza has served with distinction on many Canadian and American technical and professional committees is a further demonstration that his work is seen to have significant international implications.

He is a Fellow of many prestigious societies, including the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering.

Other recognitions include the American Concrete Institute’s R.C. Reese Structural Research Award and the J.W. Kelly Award for Outstanding Achievements in Teaching and Professional Service. Dr. Mirza is also one of only two faculty members at Lakehead University to have received both the Distinguished Instructor and Distinguished Researcher awards, the university’s highest honours.