Regular biography
Oya Mercan is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on Structural Engineering, with an emphasis on seismic resilience and hybrid simulation techniques. She develops integrated simulation frameworks that combine numerical models and experimental specimens to predict structural behavior during extreme seismic events. Mercan's work involves real-time testing methods that couple computer simulation with physical testing, enabling the evaluation of seismic performance and vibration mitigation strategies. She has contributed to numerous refereed publications and has been affiliated with various research initiatives and centers, including the Centre for Climate Science and Engineering and the U of T Climate Positive Initiative.