API member Sergio Alcocer receives recognition from UNAM for his contributions to technological innovation
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Dr. Sergio Manuel Alcocer Martínez de Castro, a member of the Pan American Academy of Engineering (API), has been recognized by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) for his work in technological innovation and industrial design—a distinction that highlights his contributions to research, the advancement of knowledge, and the application of engineering solutions to public interest issues.
Alcocer, a civil engineer and researcher at UNAM's Institute of Engineering, has a distinguished career in structural and seismic engineering, particularly in the study of building behavior during earthquakes, the development of seismic design criteria, and the improvement of construction safety.
His professional expertise has extended beyond Mexico's borders through his participation in international initiatives for seismic risk assessment and reduction, as well as technical consulting, research, and specialized seminars. His expertise has been sought for the analysis of major disasters, including the earthquakes that struck Turkey.
A 1986 civil engineering graduate of UNAM, Alcocer earned his doctorate in engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1991. Throughout his career, he has balanced academic research with professional and institutional responsibilities related to engineering development and disaster prevention.
His professional roles include serving as president of the Mexican Society of Structural Engineering and participating in the Advisory Council on Earthquakes. He is a full member of the Mexican Academy of Engineering and has served on various technical committees for the American Concrete Institute (ACI), an institution that awarded him the distinction of Fellow in recognition of his professional contributions.
His scientific output includes numerous national and international publications, and his participation in technical and academic forums has contributed to the exchange of knowledge regarding structural safety, seismic design, and infrastructure resilience.
The Pan American Academy of Engineering recognizes Dr. Alcocer's career and celebrates this distinction, which underscores the importance of research and technological innovation in strengthening construction safety and contributing to the well-being of society.
