Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.S. in Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.E. in Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Licensed Professional Engineer, Michigan
Ron Harichandran was appointed Dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering in August 2011. In April 2019 he was also named Vice Provost for Research. Prior to that he was a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) and served as the department chair for 16 years. His technical specialty is structural engineering and he has performed research on earthquake, pavement, bridge and fire engineering and engineering education, and has published over 170 journal and conference proceedings papers and technical reports. He has taught a broad range of courses in structural analysis, design, dynamics, and probabilistic methods.
Dr. Harichandran has stimulated innovations in all engineering and computer science programs by leading initiatives such as: (1) an integrated approach to developing technical communication skills; (2) development of an entrepreneurial mindset in students through integrated e-learning modules; (3) implementation of first year and career mentorship programs; and (4) securing two congressionally directed grants totaling $544,000 to purchase equipment in support of cybersecurity education and research. He is also a co-PI on a $4 million Scholarship for Service grant from NSF.
Dr. Harichandran is an elected member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering and a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
See MoreClick here for Dr. Harichandran's full curriculum vitae.
Member, Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, 2014.
Withrow Exceptional Service Award, College of Engineering, Michigan State University, 2011.
Executive Leadership Academy, Michigan State University, 2009-10.
ASCE Department Heads Council Executive Committee, chair (2008-10), secretary (2006-08), member (2003-10).
Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2005.
ASCE Body of Knowledge II Committee, 2005-07.
Michigan Transportation Research Board, Founding chair, 2005-10.
CIC Academic Leadership Fellow, Michigan State University, 1996-97.
Teacher-Scholar Award, Michigan State University, 1992.
Breitinger, F., Tully-Doyle, R., Przyborski, K., Beck, L., and Harichandran, R. S. (2021). “First year students' experience in a Cyber World course – an evaluation.” Education and Information Technologies, 26(1), 1069–1087.
Harichandran, R. S., Erdil, N. O., Carnasciali, M-I., Nocito-Gobel, J., and Li, Q. (2018). “Developing an entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students using integrated e-learning modules.” Advances in Engineering Education, 7(1).
Nossoni, G., Harichandran, R. S. (2014). “Electrochemical-mechanistic model for concrete cover cracking due to corrosion initiated by chloride diffusion.” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE, 26(6).
Tarinejad, R., Ahmadi, M. T., and Harichandran, R. S. (2014). "Full-scale experimental modal analysis of an arch dam: the first experience in Iran." Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 61-62, 188-196.
See MoreTarinejad, R., Fatehi, R., and Harichandran, R. S. (2013). "Response of an arch dam
to non-uniform excitation generated by a seismic wave scattering model." Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 52, 40-54.
Nossoni, G., Harichandran, R. S. (2012). "Current efficiency in accelerated corrosion testing of concrete." Corrosion, 68(9), 801-809.
Gong, A., and Harichandran, R. S. (2012). "Wood-cement particleboard: impact behavior and potential application in crash barriers." Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE, 24(1), 134-140.
Zhang, G., Harichandran, R.S., and Ramuhalli, P. (2011). "Application of noise cancelling and damage detection algorithms in NDE of concrete bridge decks using impact signals." Journal of Nondestructuve Evaluation, 30(4), 259-274.
Iqbal, S., and Harichandran, R.S. (2010). "Capacity reduction and fire load factors for LRFD of steel members exposed to fire." Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, 136(12), 1554-1562.
Hong, S., and Harichandran, R. S. (2005). "Sensors to monitor CFRP/concrete bond in beams using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy." Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE, 9(6), 515-523.
Chen, M.-T., and Harichandran, R. S. (2001). "Response of an earth dam to spatially varying earthquake ground motion." Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 127(9), 932-939.
Harichandran, R. S., Mahmood, T., Raab, A., and Baladi, G. Y. (1993). "A modified Newton algorithm for backcalculation of pavement layer properties." Transportation Research Record, 1384, 15-22.
Harichandran, R. S., Yeh, M-S., and Baladi, G. Y. (1990). "MICH-PAVE: a nonlinear finite element program for the analysis of flexible pavements." Transportation Research Record, 1286, 123-131.
Harichandran, R. S., and Vanmarcke, E. (1986). "Stochastic variation of earthquake ground motion in space and time." Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 112(2), 154-174, and 113(8), 1271-1273.
Davis Educational Foundation, "Project to integrate technical communication habits," with co-PIs Michael Collura, Jean Nocito-Gobel, John Saris and Amir Esmailpour, July 2012-July 2015.
Kern Family Foundation, "Developing entrepreneurial thinking in engineering students by utilizing integrated online modules and experiential learning opportunities, with co-Pls: Maria-Isabel Carnasciali, Jean Nocito-Gobel, Nadiye Erdil and Cheryl Li. Feb. 2015-Aug. 2018.
Kern Family Foundation, "Developing entrepreneurial thinking in engineering students by utilizing integrated online modules and a leadership cohort, with co-Pls: Maria-Isabel Carnasciali and Jean Nocito-Gobel. June 2014-May 2015.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, co-founder of the Connecticut AI Alliance (CAIA) and assistant professor of computer science and data science, and Ron Harichandran, dean and co-founder of the CAIA, discussed the creation of the alliance that brings together 16 colleges and universities to collectively impact real-world AI applications and challenges.
In the Media
Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, participated in a panel discussion on the state of the bridges in Connecticut. The event took place after the Key Bridge was struck by a cargo ship and collapsed.
In the Media
Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, discusses the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore from a civil engineering perspective.
In the Media
Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, discusses the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland and whether it could happen in Connecticut.
In the Media
Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, comments on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland after it was struck by a cargo vessel.
In the Media
Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, and Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, comment on the technical applications of AI models used by engineers and researchers. As AI becomes more mainstream, the Connecticut State Legislature aims to regulate how it can be used to prevent nefarious actions.
In the Media
Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, discusses a federal grant received for the Center for Consumer Protection and Cybersecurity to support a project at the University of New Haven.
In the Media
Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, discusses the need to fund nationwide clean energy fields of study for engineering universities.
In the Media
Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering along with students discuss Lockheed Martin Day and the helicopter landing.
The Charger Blog
Ronald Harichandran, the University’s vice provost for research, says he is excited to be part of an expanded vision for research at the University because he believes research transforms learning, emboldens teaching, and gives graduates a decided edge in the job market and in careers across countless industries.
University News
Ronald S. Harichandran, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, who joined the University in 2011 as dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, is the first person to hold this position.