Annual Tufts Symposiums in Geotechnical Engineering

4th Annual Tufts Symposium in Geotechnical Engineering — Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Juan Pestana

Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 8:00am - 5:00pm | Tufts University, Medford, MA

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University is proud to host the 4th Annual Tufts Geotechnical Symposium. This year’s theme, Reconciling Laboratory Testing, Numerical Modeling, and Field Applications in Geotechnical Engineering, highlights the ongoing challenge of connecting experimental insights and computational advances to practical, field-scale geotechnical solutions. The theme carries special significance as it honors the life and legacy of Dr. Juan Pestana, a globally recognized leader in soil behavior, constitutive modeling, and numerical methods.
 

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History

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University hosts the annual Tufts Geotechnical Engineering Symposium every spring, bringing together leading experts from academia, industry, and government to explore pressing topics in geotechnical engineering and geohazard studies. Each year, the symposium is organized around a central theme addressing the critical importance of advancing state-of-the-art research and practice in the field. The event highlights the latest innovations and real-world applications in geotechnical engineering, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening connections across the professional community.

Over the years, the symposium has expanded, drawing participants from a diverse range of regional and national sectors, including academia, state and federal agencies, and private industry. It has established itself as a key platform for knowledge exchange, fostering discussions on emerging trends and challenges in geotechnical engineering, particularly among the geotechnical engineering community in the Greater Boston area and the Northeast region. Additionally, the symposium has provided invaluable professional networking opportunities for students and early-career professionals, enabling them to engage with experts and industry leaders and helping to bridge the gap between academia and practice.

Past Events

The inaugural symposium took place on January 28, 2023, with the theme "Trends in Coastal and Offshore Geotechnical Infrastructure." The second annual symposium followed on January 27, 2024, focusing on "Climate-Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure." The third annual symposium took place on February 1, 2025, with the theme "Monitoring and Sensing in Geosystems Engineering Across Scales."