INNOVATION-September-October-2020

MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD DR. TONY T.Y. YANG, P.ENG.

D.C LAMBERT PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AWARD DON DOBSON, P.ENG. Throughout his nearly

Dr. Tony T.Y. Yang, P.Eng., has made remarkable contributions to the field of structural and earthquake engineering. As a professor at the UBC, his work focuses on the advanced simulation and experimental testing of complex structural systems under dynamic loads. He has worked with many top structural engineering firms and research institutes

50-year career, Don Dobson, P.Eng., has made significant contributions to the field of water resource engineering. As Principal of Dobson Engineering, his expertise in the Okanagan Valley—a water-stressed region that is being further impacted by climate change—is highly sought-after and respected.

Don’s ability to stay calm and confident is invaluable during extreme events such as wildfires and floods. One of the best, most recent examples of Don’s leadership was his role as a Subject Matter Expert during flooding in Grand Forks in 2018 that devastated the community. During the emergency, Don provided technical leadership and expert hydrology advice, conducted engineering assessments, and provided recommendations for flood mitigation. Don also played a significant role in the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park fire when he recognized that the creation of water-repellent soils represented a public safety threat. Under Don’s leadership and direction, the City of Kelowna was able to mitigate damages associated with the fire, including an intense rain event that was occurring over one of the burned drainages. Don’s watershed management work has informed and guided many initiatives, including forestry impacts on watersheds, flood protection, fish habitat restoration, and water supply management. His leadership and technical guidance have ensured a safe and secure water supply in the Okanagan and has helped the region stay safe from flooding.

worldwide to push the boundaries of structural and earthquake engineering and is well regarded as one of the leading experts in the world. One of Tony’s most significant contributions is the development of the fundamental underpinnings for performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE), which has resulted in the implementation of PBEE in numerous design codes worldwide. Over the last 20 years, Tony and his research team have developed multiple innovative structural components and systems which have significantly improved the safety and economy of infrastructures in Canada and worldwide. Tony is a dedicated teacher and is committed to finding new ways to inspire his students and educate the public on earthquake safety. He has given over 100 public seminars on earthquake engineering to both technical and community groups and has worked closely with the national and international communities to improve public safety. Tony’s exemplary commitments to his professional field has made the world safer from future earthquakes.

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