September/October 2023 - 87

Ingrid Tomac's Mudflow Research
Soars Into Outer Space
Ingrid Tomac, Ph.D., is an associate
professor of geotechnical engineering
in the Department of Structural
Engineering at the University of
California, San Diego (UCSD). Her
research interests revolve around soil
and rock mechanics, energy geotechnics,
and geohazards such as postwildfire
mudflows. This could not be
more top-of-mind, as - due in part to
climate change and global warming -
devastating wildfires have become a
worldwide phenomenon resulting in
the loss of life and trillions of dollars of
property damage. She tells us, " I wish to
dedicate my research efforts toward
creating a better world through the
exploration and development of civil
engineering infrastructure for supporting
renewable and sustainable energy
sources. " The vast array of research in
which she has been involved is testimony
to this objective.
Tomac's research in the dynamics of
mudflows is of particular interest and
relevance as it relates to the effects of
climate change and global warming.
Her work at the UCSD's Jacobs
School of Engineering, and leading its
Geo-Micromechanics Research Group,
includes conducting studies in outer
space. The group is partnering with the
firm Space Tango, which is working
alongside NASA to conduct experiments
in space that have direct relevance to
issues we face on earth. " Gravity plays a
big role in the composition and internal
structure of mudslides, but we do not
understand it, " states Tomac. She adds,
" The idea is to test in space in microgravity
so we can get a baseline. " Her
ultimate goal is to develop technologies
to prevent mudslides. At this moment
MEMBER PROF I LE
assistant and research scientist
pos i t i ons a t severa l Amer i can
universities including UCSD, the
Colorado School of Mines and the
University of Colorado Boulder. In both
2015 and 2017 she spent time as a
visiting scientist at the University of
Goettingen, in Germany. No grass was
growing under her microscope as she
pursued her academic and research
objectives. This dynamic orientation
toward setting and achieving goals is a
hallmark of her entire life.
her project is circling the globe aboard
the Inter-national Space Station.
A Bit of Background
Tomac always thought that she would
become a scientist or perhaps an artist,
not an engineer. But, as in so many
cases, our early thoughts of our future
tend to change. Once she decided to
pursue engineering the path unfolded.
She received a Diploma Eng. Civil
Engineering (Structural) in 2000 and a
M.Sc. Civil Engineering (Geotechnical)
in 2007 from the University of Zagreb in
Croatia. She began her studies in
structural engineering with limited
exposure to the geotechnical side.
However, in planning her final year
thesis she decided to focus on geotechnical
topics. After graduation she went
to work in a specialized geotechnical
design firm in Zagreb where she spent
the next 10 years becoming the head of
the firm's design office. In 2010 she
moved to the U.S. to undertake doctoral
studies, and in 2014 she completed her
Ph.D. in civil engineering at the
Colorado School of Mines. From 20112017
she held research, teaching
AUTHOR S. Scot Litke, Hon. D.GE
DEEP FOUNDATIONS * SEPT/OCT 2023 * 87
Thankful for Help Along the
Way
Tomac tells us that she was fortunate to
have a significant number of mentors in
academics and in her time as a
practitioner. In practice she cites Bozica
Maric, Davorin Lovrencic and the late
Damir Corko, co-owners of the company
she worked for in Zagreb. It was from
them that she gained a good deal of
knowledge about designing projects like
retaining walls, deep excavations, soil
improvement, deep and shallow foundations,
and solving construction site
problems. On the purely technical side
she credits William Van Impe, Ph.D.,
past president of the International
Society of Soils Mechanics and Geotechnical
Engineering (ISSMGE), with 20
years of guidance. When working on her
doctorate, Marte Gutierrez, Ph.D.,
provided her with the critical skills to
perform independent research.
Fortunately for Tomac, the list of positive
influences goes on from professors to
colleagues in her department. She likes
to say, " I am always on a mission to find
new mentors who would help me
improve in different areas. "
September/October 2023

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