November/December 2021 - 75

MEMBER PROF I LE
From Cairo to California, a Smooth
Transition for Rabie Farrag
" I am a civil engineer with experience in
both research and practice with a focus
on structural and geotechnical
engineering. I enjoy and thrive on
hands-on work, which has made me a
good fit for experimental research. " This
quote from Rabie Farrag, who recently
completed his Ph.D. degree at the
University of California, Irvine (UCI),
under the tutelage of Anne Lemnitzer,
Ph.D., P.E., might suffice in telling us all
we need to know about Farrag.
However, there is lots more to his story.
Farrag came to his career choice
naturally. His father was a professor of
civil engineering and, as he puts it, " the
most influential mentor in my life. " His
dad took young Rabie to construction
sites, and he knew early on that he
wanted to be an engineer, or, as he
laughingly says, he was " possibly brainwashed
into believing that, but it turned
out great. " He reflects further, " The most
interesting aspect of the profession is
how diverse geotechnical engineering is
and how it invites research. "
Education Has Been a Key
Farrag received his bachelor's degree in
civil engineering from Cairo University
in Egypt in May 2011. Next came his
master's, completed in 2014 at Cairo,
AUTHOR S. Scot Litke, Hon. D.GE
DEEP FOUNDATIONS * NOV/DEC 2021 * 75
and most recently, his Ph.D. at UCI. His
doctoral dissertation was highly applied,
investigating the shear amplification of
laterally loaded piles near the rocksocket
interface. During his graduate
studies, he says, " I was able to gain
extensive experience by being a
teaching assistant for mul t iple
engineering classes at UCI. I very much
enjoyed the classroom interaction. " His
contributions to the field were also
acknowledged by the Orange County
Engineering Council in presenting him
with the 2016 Student of the Year Award.
Farrag has continued his research as a
postdoctoral scholar at UCI.
His joy in sharing his passion for
research is evidenced in his position as
a lecturer at California State University,
Long Beach, and serving as assistant
professor in the University of Cairo's
Civil Engineering Department, from
which he is currently on sabbatical. As
early as his freshman year at Cairo
University in 2006, he is remembered
by former fellow student, Amr Morsy,
Ph.D., P.E., as being a standout student.
The research associate at Loughborough
University in the U.K. says, " He never
failed to impress me and those around
him with his perseverance and passion
for civil engineering. His drive has
always been contagious to those who
work with him, forcing them to meet his
top-notch working standards. "
Academics, Research
and Practice
Teaching and conducting research are
Farrag's primary focus; however, he has
combined this with practical applications.
He is particularly intrigued by
how relevant research can influence
construction in both design and
implementation. In the summers of
2016 and 2017, he served as an intern
engineer at California's Professional
Engineering Center (PEC) involved in the
designing of building foundations,
issuance of permits, reviewing appliRabie
Farrag and wife Yana
Loginova, also a civil
engineer, at UCI test site
November/December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2021
