Dr. Alaaeldin Elsisi receives SIUE’s New Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Award

Dr. Alaaeldin Elsisi receives SIUE's New Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Award

Alaaeldin Elsisi, PhD, Department of Civil Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is the 2026 recipient of the Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Award in acknowledgement of his outstanding research contributions and proven record.

Elsisi is an assistant professor in the School of Engineering's (SOE) teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in structural analysis and design. His scholarly interests focus on blast-resistant structures, steel and reinforced concrete structures, sustainable materials, advanced composite materials, strengthening and advanced computational methods.

"It is really great to get a prestigious award like this from the institution and to realize that my work in research is appreciated by the University," he said. "Awards like this one give a big reflection on networking with multiple institutions for the project, enhancing the opportunities that they continue to work with us."

Over the past five years, Dr. Alaa Elsisi has emerged as a dynamic force in structural engineering research, securing million-dollar grants in competitive funding through his roles at SIUE and the University of Missouri (MU).

Elsisi, a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE), conducts research at SIUE that centers on three interconnected areas in structural applications-the first being his research on the effect and mitigation of extreme hazards on structures such as seismic and blast loadings. He has several publications on this topic, with projects supported by multi-million-dollar grants from the U.S. Army ($2 millions as a Co-PI) and U.S. Air Force ($3 millions as Primary Personnel).

The second branch focuses on using new and sustainable materials.

"Sustainability is a big issue now and protecting our environment is very important," Elsisi said. "There are a lot of waste materials that we can implement that can be useful in our buildings, like the crumb rubber, produced by grinding used tires, which can be embedded into concrete to improve thermal insulation and ductility while simultaneously diverting the material from landfills. This will solve a lot of problems-we use them as structural elements and at the same time we get rid of them."

Elsisi's interests also include advanced and new material such as laminated composite materials, highlighting how these high-performance materials can be integrated into building systems to improve resistance to environmental and chemical attack.

The third branch of his research focuses on computational mechanics and numerical methods, developing tools that allow for more accurate modelling and design structures to ensure safety. "When I came to SIUE in 2022, I had very clear research plans and projects, shaped by my previous postdoctoral and research faculty experience," he noted. Since arriving, Elsisi has secured multiple external and internal grants of a total of $425,000 ($280,000 shared credit), including a Research Equipment and Tools Funding Program worth $55,000 for laboratory equipment renewal in 2024 and two STEP grants worth $16,000 each in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, he received an external funding of $175,000 from the Missouri Department of Transportation to enhance the bridge column design.
He lauded the SIUE Graduate School and SOE for making that progress possible.

"Without the support from the school, we are not able to do much," Elsisi said. "I feel so appreciative. The support from the department and the Graduate School helped me to finish proposals very quickly, submit them and get them awarded."

Elsisi recently received the 2026 SOE Teaching Award for excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, building two new courses serving students' research, and upgrading the curriculum of existing courses.

Elsisi also reflected on the student participation in the research works and how it has helped the entire department progress. "As a faculty member, I believe our role is not only to do research and develop new things-we need to transfer our knowledge to students. I feel really happy to help them finish their thesis, perform successful research, publish papers and participate in national and international conferences."

Looking forward, Elsisi recently presented his findings at the 2026 Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Structures Congress in Boston, MA, where he chaired a session on blast engineering and the performance of buildings subjected to blast loading.

About the Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Award
Stephen Hansen, PhD, faculty emeritus, established the Lindsay Research Professorship Endowment that funds the award in honor of Vaughnie Lindsay, who served as graduate dean from 1973-1986. Lindsay was responsible for creating much of the infrastructure that supports faculty research and scholarly activity at SIUE. Faculty and emeriti faculty at the time of the award's conception donated the funds to endow the award.

Those wishing to help support new investigators through the award may donate to the Graduate School.

PHOTO: (L-R) Christopher Slaten, PhD, Associate Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, Alaaeldin Elsisi, PhD, Department of Civil Engineering, Sandra Doreson, daughter of the late Dr. Vaughnie Lindsay, and Denise Cobb, PhD, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs