Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laura Ragni | Seismic Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laura Ragni, Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy

Prof. Laura Ragni is an accomplished structural engineering academic, currently serving as an Associate Professor (SSD ICAR/09) at the Department of Civil, Building and Architecture Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marche Polytechnic University. She holds a Ph.D. in “Structures and Infrastructures” and graduated with honors in Civil Engineering from the University of Ancona. Since joining academia in 2006, she has built a distinguished career in teaching, research, and institutional service. Prof. Ragni’s research focuses on seismic protection systems, externally prestressed structures, dissipative bracing systems, and base-isolated buildings. She has led and collaborated on numerous national and international research projects, including key RELUIS initiatives and strategic research collaborations with the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre in the UK. With over 130 publications—including 36 in international journals—and a Scopus h-index of 24, she is recognized for her scientific impact and commitment to structural safety. In addition to teaching several master’s level engineering courses, she contributes significantly to doctoral training, committee service, and interdisciplinary research in structural engineering.

Professional Profile:

SCOPUS

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award: Prof. Laura Ragni

Prof. Laura Ragni stands out as a highly qualified and impactful candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With nearly two decades of academic and research experience in Structural and Earthquake Engineering, she has consistently demonstrated excellence in both theoretical development and applied research, particularly in seismic protection, structural rehabilitation, and base-isolated systems.

🎓 Education & Training

March 2002: Graduated with honors in Civil Engineering from the University of Ancona.
📝 Thesis: Nonlinear analysis of externally prestressed structures
June 2002: Licensed Professional Engineer, registered with the Order of Engineers of Ancona (No. A2369).
May 2006: Earned a Ph.D. in “Structures and Infrastructures” from the University of Ancona.
📘 Dissertation: Mitigation of seismic effects using HDR dissipation devices: experimental investigations and analytical models

🏢 Work Experience

Since March 1, 2006: Tenured University Researcher in ICAR09
March 1, 2009: Confirmed as University Researcher in the Department of Civil, Building, and Architecture Engineering
November 2018 – Present: Associate Professor (ICAR09), Faculty of Engineering, Marche Polytechnic University
Current Teaching:
📚 Structural Rehabilitation, Advanced Seismic Protection Systems, Theory and Design of Steel Structures
👩‍🏫 Supervises numerous theses, internships, and professional development courses
🤝 Member of PhD boards (e.g., “Civil, Environmental, Building Engineering and Architecture”, “REDI” PhD)

🏆 Achievements, Awards & Honors

🥇 National Scientific Qualification:
- Associate Professor (2013) – Sector 08/B3 – Structural Engineering (extended until 2019)
- Full Professor (2020) – Sector 08/B3 – Structural Engineering
🔬 Scopus Metrics:
- 🧾 Total Documents: 71
- 📈 Citations: 1,458
- 📊 h-index: 24
🌍 International collaboration lead with TARRC (UK) since 2014
💡 Coordinator of the strategic project Flo-RASM (2017–2019), funded with €43,000
📄 Authored:
- 36 publications in international journals
- 53 papers at international conferences
- 44 papers at national conferences
🎤 Speaker at numerous national & international conferences
🧑‍🔬 Member of organizing/scientific committees for ANIDIS & Compdyn events

Publication Top Notes:

Long-term viscous effects of in-field tests on HDRBs-based seismic isolation systems

An experimental campaign for assessing the role of tensioned tendons on the shear capacity of half-joints

Application of Italian Guidelines for structural-foundational and seismic risk classification of bridges: The Fabre experience on a large bridge inventory

Investigating the Performance of a Degraded Prestressed Concrete Box Girder Half-joint Bridge in the Spirit of the Italian Guidelines

Influence of Dynamic Properties Variability of Elastomeric Bearings on the Seismic Response of Base-Isolated Structures

Numerical Simulation of Push-and-Release Tests of Hybrid Isolation Systems

Field tests and numerical analysis of the effects of scour on a full-scale soil–foundation–structural system

Mrs. Gulbanu Daurbayeva, National Scientific Center for Seismological Observation and Research, Kazakhstan

Gulbanu Khamitovna Daurbaeva, born on November 3, 1989, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is a skilled geophysicist with extensive experience in seismic research. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geophysics from Kazakh National Technical University named after K.I. Satpaev. Since 2015, she has been a valued engineer at LLP “Institute of Seismology,” specializing in regional seismicity. Her role involves critical decision-making and organization within the scientific process, demonstrating her commitment to advancing seismic research.

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award:

Gulbanu Daurbaeva has made significant contributions to the field of geophysics, particularly in the study of seismic and ionospheric anomalies. Her recent publication, “Ionospheric and Meteorological Anomalies Associated with the Earthquake in Central Asia,” demonstrates her ability to conduct high-impact research relevant to natural disaster prediction and analysis. This work underscores her expertise in remote sensing and her ability to contribute valuable insights into the geophysical phenomena associated with earthquakes.

Education

Kazakh National Technical University named after K.I. Satpaev
Bachelor’s in Geophysics
2007-2011

Kazakh National Technical University named after K.I. Satpaev
Master’s in Geophysics
2011-2013

Work Experience

LLP “KazPromGeophysics”
Intern
May-June 2006

LLP “Institute of Seismology”
Engineer, 1st Category, Laboratory of Regional Seismicity
June 2015-Present