Lyesse Laloui elected to prestigious Academia Europaea

Professor Lyesse Laloui, a world-renowned expert in geomechanics, sustainability, and geo-energy, has been invited to join the prestigious Academia Europaea. This esteemed pan-European academy recognizes Prof. Laloui's outstanding contributions to his field and his commitment to addressing the world's most pressing environmental challenges.

The Academia Europaea is an academy of sciences, humanities, and letters with eminent scholars drawn from across Europe. Its members include Nobel Laureates, recipients of the Fields Medal, Wolf Prize winners, and other leaders in their respective fields. The academy promotes scholarship in Europe, advises governments on scientific matters, fosters collaboration among researchers, awards prizes, and holds conferences.

Academia Europaea members are elected after nomination by affiliated members and a rigorous peer-review process, ensuring that only those with exceptional research records and a sustained commitment to academic excellence are invited to join.

“I am deeply honored to be invited to join the Academia Europaea,” said Prof. Laloui. "Sustainability is not just a field of research – it's our imperative for the future. This recognition motivates me further to work alongside the finest scholars in Europe to find innovative solutions to ensure a sustainable future for our planet."

Prof. Laloui, a professor at EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), is a prolific researcher. His vast publication record (13+ books, ~400 papers, ~20,000 citations, h-index 67) includes internationally celebrated works that focus on developing sustainable engineering solutions in critical areas including:

Energy Geostructures: Prof. Laloui's research investigates how underground structures can be used for thermal energy storage, a key technology for harnessing renewable energy sources,

Sustainable Soil Stabilization: He explores methods to improve soil properties for construction and waste management purposes, promoting environmentally friendly solutions,

Radioactive Waste Disposal: Prof. Laloui's research on safe and sustainable radioactive waste disposal contributes significantly to nuclear energy development and

Carbon Storage: His work on storing carbon dioxide emissions offers a promising approach to mitigating climate change.

Prof. Laloui's dedication to sustainable geotechnical solutions extends beyond his research. He currently serves as the vice-president for Europe of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE ), a leading international organization in the field.

Membership in the Academia Europaea offers Prof. Laloui a platform to collaborate with top scientists and scholars across Europe, fostering new research directions that transcend disciplinary boundaries. The academy also plays a crucial role in influencing science policy throughout Europe and beyond.

Prof. Laloui's election reflects a growing recognition of sustainability as a critical scientific discipline with the potential to shape a better future for both society and the environment. His commitment to finding practical solutions to complex environmental challenges makes him a valuable addition to the Academia Europaea.