We’re excited to announce the 2024-2025 EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellow, Morgan Sanger (M.EERI, 2018)! Supported by funds from FEMA, the one-year fellowship seeks to foster the participation of those working toward the goals and activities of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. Click here to learn more about the EERI/FEMA NEHRP Graduate Fellowship.
Morgan Sanger, P.E., is a Ph.D. student in geotechnical engineering at the University of Washington. With her research advisor, Professor Brett Maurer, Morgan applies the tools of data science and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) for improved earthquake hazard modeling and risk assessments. Her preliminary doctoral work advances regional liquefaction modeling, leveraging geotechnical data (e.g., cone penetration tests), liquefaction mechanics, AI/ML, and geospatial predictor variables. The purpose of this work is to empower resilient communities and infrastructure networks through high-resolution, mechanics-informed, map-scale liquefaction predictions.
Morgan obtained her B.S. in Geological Engineering, Geology & Geophysics (2017) and M.S. in Geological Engineering (2019) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has enjoyed her involvement in EERI as the University Outreach Coordinator for the Student Leadership Council and the Student Chapter President at the University of Washington.
Honorable Mention: Mia Lochhead
EERI’s Student Awards Committee awarded an honorable mention to candidate Mia Lochhead (M.EERI, 2021). Mia Lochhead is a Ph.D. candidate in structural engineering studying with Dr. Greg Deierlein at Stanford University. Her research focuses on using high-fidelity regional-level assessments of earthquake risk to better understand how engineering decisions impact community functioning. Her doctoral research focuses on using a combination of traditional structural engineering and machine learning methods to quantify exposure and seismic retrofit impact of vulnerable wood-frame housing in California. Mia holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, where she worked with Dr. Kijewksi-Correa on leveraging post-hazard data to learn about the built environment. She also served as the President of Stanford’s EERI Student Chapter.
