About Dr. Shamsher Prakash, PE

HONORARY MEMBER

Dr. Shamsher Prakash joined our department of civil engineering in 1978 as an associate professor in geotechnical engineering and has since influenced a generation of graduates and peers. Retiring in 2000, he is now a professor emeritus. Shamsher has made several seminal contributions to the field of geotechnical earthquake engineering, in which he is recognized for advancing soil dynamics and earthquake engineering. He is a pioneer in the liquefaction of silts and clays and soil-pile-structure interactions. His books, reports and publications serve as a mentor to students in his field. Among his many recognitions are Distinguished Member of ASCE; Gold Medal, Kazakistan Society for service to Geotechnical Engineering Worldwide (2013); Distinguished Alumnus, Indian Institute of Technology for contributions to earthquake engineering; and Distinguished Alumni, University of Illinois. He received Doctor Honoris Causa by the Technical University of Engineering, Bucharest, Romania (2003). He developed and chaired five international conferences on recent advances in geotechnical earthquake engineering and seven international conferences on case histories in geotechnical engineering. These conferences, sponsored by S&T, were held in various locations through the United States. In 1988, Shamsher and his wife, Sally, established the Shamsher Prakash Foundation with the purpose of “uplifting mankind through Yoga, Geotechnical Engineering, Education and Peace.” Their foundation now makes ten cash awards in a variety of areas including geotechnical engineering research, teaching, practice, and for creative design and for achievement in soil dynamics. Their foundation also funds a primary school for children of immigrant workers in India. Thus far the Shamsher Prakash Foundation has made 66 awards to worthy (and grateful) recipients in 20 different countries.  Shamsher is a yoga guru and for years has given talks about the benefits of yoga and also teaches yoga. He and his wife, Sally, live in Rolla, Mo.