Dr. Ana Sarkis is a structural earthquake engineer focused on understanding how reinforced concrete buildings behave under seismic loading and how that understanding informs design. Her research combines analytical and numerical approaches to evaluate both prescriptive design methods and alternative solutions, including supplemental damping systems.
Ana brings an international perspective shaped by her academic and professional experience across multiple countries. She completed her PhD at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, where she studied the seismic behaviour of precast pre-stressed concrete floor systems using nonlinear finite element modelling. She also holds a Master in Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (MEEES) through the ROSE School, with studies at ODTU (Türkiye) and the University of Patras (Greece), where her research focused on precast concrete frames with rocking foundations.
She has practiced as a structural engineer in both Costa Rica and Vancouver, working on the design, assessment, and retrofit of reinforced concrete buildings, including tall buildings and high-importance structures. This experience informs her research, which examines not only how structures perform, but how design approaches, code provisions, and project-level decisions shape what is ultimately built, with the aim of better bridging research and engineering practice.
Alongside her technical work, Ana is engaged in advocacy efforts focused on improving the retention of women in engineering and fostering allyship within STEM. She is particularly interested in how professional environments and industry structures can better support long-term inclusion.