Modarres, Mohammad
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
Center for Risk and Reliability
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1980
BACKGROUND
Dr. Mohammad Modarres is a prominent scientist and engineer specializing in risk and reliability engineering. He holds the Nicole J. Kim Eminent Professorship in Engineering and is a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher at the University of Maryland (UMD). He co-founded the world’s first degree-granting graduate program in reliability engineering, along with the Center for Risk and Reliability at the University of Maryland over four decades ago. These programs have made a significant global impact, awarding over 500 Ph.D. and master’s degrees, and establishing UMD as the leading institution for education and research in risk and reliability. Additionally, he co-established the Nuclear Engineering Minor Degree in the UMD’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2005.
Dr. Modarres' research encompasses probabilistic risk assessment, the physics of failure, nuclear power plant safety, and fracture mechanics. His contributions include both experimental and probabilistic model development. He has authored numerous textbooks, book chapters, and over 500 scholarly papers, advancing the fields of reliability science, engineering, and risk analysis.
Dr. Modarres received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Tehran Polytechnic, MS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, and MS and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from MIT.
SELECTED HONORS AND AWARDS
- Nicole J. Kim Eminent Professorship in Engineering
- Minta Martin Professorship in A.J. Clark School of Engineering
- University of Maryland Distinguished Scholar-Teacher
- 2019 Tommy Thompson Award for outstanding lifetime contributions to nuclear safety, American Nuclear Society
- Fellow, American Nuclear Society
- Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Honorary Doctorate Degree in Engineering, Da Vinci University, Guatemala
- 1996 Maryland Inventor of the Year Award (in Information Sciences)
- FDA Commissioner Special Citation for Contributions to Risk Assessment Methods, 2004
- 2008 International Research Leadership Award conferred by the Society for Reliability Engineering, Quality and Operations Management
Probabilistic risk assessment, Nuclear power plant safety, Uncertainty analysis, Probabilistic physics of failure, Probabilistic fracture mechanics, Prognosis and Health Management (PHM), Applications of AI/ML to reliability engineering and risk assessment.
Recent Books and Journal Papers
For the complete list of Prof. Modarres' publications, please refer to his Website:
https://modarres.umd.edu/
Modarres Awarded Honorary Doctorate
Universidad Da Vinci de Guatemala recognizes professor for contributions to risk and reliability.UMD Center for Risk and Reliability: Celebrating Summer Internship Achievements
UMD Center for Risk and Reliability: Celebrating Summer Internship AchievementsUMD’s Zhao to Lead New Dynamic PRA Study
Project aims to improve the computational efficiency of dynamic PRA.Center for Risk and Reliability Fosters Collaborative Environment
The Center for Risk and Reliability renovated their space to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration.UMD ME Faculty Ranked in Top 2% of Scientists Worldwide
The department is home to some of the most widely-cited researchers in their fields.'They Are Playing With a Huge Fire'
With Ukraine's massive Zaporizhzhia plant in Putin's crosshairs, nuclear facilities must be taken off battlefield, UMD risk expert says.Kiger Named Distinguished Scholar-Teacher
Mechanical engineering professor recognized for his achievements in research and pedagogy.A New Milestone for NuScale Power
Firm cofounded by UMD alumnus, IHOF inductee Reyes is now trading on the NYSE.Clark School to Induct Reyes into Innovation Hall of Fame
The NuScale co-founder will address the UMD community during a ceremony on December 2.Assessing Nuclear Risk: CEE, ME Faculty Collaborate on New Tools
Research aims to explore updates to risk assessment tools and methods used by the nuclear industry.The Marvin Roush Fellowship: A Foundation for Progress in Risk and Reliability
Professor Emeritus Marvin Roush laid the groundwork for the world-class Center for Risk and Reliability at UMD.Establishing Success for Future Terps
Alumni support creates opportunities for student success.Oops-Proofing
A Collaboration Between CRR and Amazon Lab126 Seeks to Understand How Devices Can Be More DurableNuclear Pioneer Reyes Achieves Historic Milestone
NuScale Power, co-founded by UMD alumnus José Reyes, is the first to win NRC approval for a small modular reactor (SMR) design.Bensi, Groth Selected for Nuclear Facility Risk Assessment Faculty Development Program
The inter-department program will support junior faculty in developing solutions to advance probabilistic risk assessments.Alumni Dr. Jeong H. Kim Receives 2016 Horatio Alger Award
Kim named one of 13 exceptional corporate and civic leaders to the Horatio Alger Member Class of 2016Bruck Named a UMD Distinguished Scholar-Teacher
Professor Hugh Bruck named one of six Distinguished Scholar-Teachers for the 2016-2017 school year.Modarres Awarded Nicole Y. Kim Eminent Professorship
Mechanical Engineering Professor Mohammad Modarres awarded Nicole Y. Kim Eminent Professorship.Student Awards, Fellowship Campaign Announced at Reliability Alumni Meeting
Faculty, staff presented awards, fundraising campaign for additional fellowship as part of next year’s 25th anniversary celebration.Alumna Zahra Mohaghegh Becomes Assistant Professor at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mohaghegh will help further develop reliability engineering program at the university.New Minta Martin Professors Named
Historic honor recognizes full professors who have made significant scholarly contributions.Suzanne Schroer Wins American Nuclear Society’s Local Paper Competition
Reliability engineering graduate student received $500 for her paper.
Modarres Participates in Panel of Experts Debating Nuclear Safety at Public Forum in Calvert County
Safety of Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant and its proposed third reactor subject of debate following March disaster in Japan.Chatterjee Wins 1st Prize in the 2011 DCCEAS Student Paper Competition
ME graduate student recognized by D.C. Council of Engineering & Architectural Societies.Kaushik Chatterjee Wins 1st Place Prize in the 2010 ANS Student Paper Competition
ME graduate student recognized by the American Nuclear Society.NRC Funds Development of New Grad-Level Corrosion Courses
Ankem, Christou, and Moderres to create new modules for nuclear, reliability, and sustainability engineering programs.PI Holds 1st Annual Research Workshop
ME delegation travels to Abu Dhabi to promote research collaborations.Energy Education and Research Collaboration Conducts First Workshop
Maryland faculty and Petroleum Institute review cooperation success of past year.Modarres Earns International Research Leadership Award
Award recognizes pioneering research leadership in Probalistic Risk Assessment.Gift Supplements Reliability Fellowship
$250,000 bequest supports women and minority graduate students, aids Great Expectations campaign.Mechanical Engineering Recognizes Faculty Accomplishments
Edward B. Magrab honored at reception recognizing distinguished service to campus and department.Mechanical Engineering Remembers Willie Webb
Longtime Reliability Engineering staff member Willie Webb passes on April 10, 2007.ME Faculty Honored at Research Leaders Luncheon
Nine ME Faculty honored on November 14.ME Graduate Students Awarded
Mohammad Pour-gol-mohamad & Emil Rahim Recognized.Reliability, Energetics Centers Receive Major DoD Initiative Funding
CECD and CFRE to Conduct Vital Research EffortsOUTSTANDING SPRING FACULTY AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Numerous outstanding faculty awards and accomplishments in the Department of ME announced.Reliability Engineering Program Joins ME Department
On April 16, 2003, the Reliability Engineering Program was integrated into the Department of ME.Other professional society fellows
- American Nuclear Society
- Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA)