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Gregory Kopp honoured for groundbreaking research in wind engineering

Gregory Kopp, professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering, has received the 2024 Engineering Award for Excellence in Research from Western Engineering.

A global leader in wind engineering and severe storm research, Kopp has transformed how engineers and policymakers understand and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather. His work has directly influenced building codes and design standards across North America, improving public safety and infrastructure resilience.

“This award is a great honour for me," says Kopp. "I am grateful for the many opportunities that I have had at Western to work on many aspects of design and resilience of buildings to the effects of severe wind storms.”

Kopp is the founding director of the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory (CSSL) and holds the ImpactWX Chair in Severe Storms Engineering. He also leads the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) and Northern Hail Project (NHP), two national initiatives that have redefined Canada’s understanding of severe weather events and their impacts on communities.

“Professor Kopp’s research has had a profound impact on engineering practice and public policy,” said Ayman El Ansary, acting chair of the department of civil and environmental engineering. “His work is not only academically rigorous but also deeply practical, with real-world applications that save lives and reduce disaster-related losses.”

Among his many innovations, Kopp pioneered the multi-chamber pressure loading technique at the Insurance Research Lab for Better Homes (IRLBH), enabling full-scale wind testing of residential structures. These tests simulate the effects of Category 5 hurricanes and EF-2 tornadoes, providing critical data that has shaped the development of safer, more resilient buildings.

His research led to the creation of the CSA S520 Standard—the world’s first consensus-based design standard for tornado-resilient wood-frame houses. This standard integrates years of research, including wind tunnel testing, structural analysis and field surveys, into practical guidelines for engineers and builders.

Kopp’s influence extends internationally. His work is cited in more than 20 publications referenced in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) SEI 7 and SEI 49 standards, which guide the design of hundreds of thousands of buildings annually. He currently chairs the ASCE 49 Standards Committee and is leading revisions to the ASCE 7 wind load provisions.

He has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers, delivered more than 240 public lectures, and secured over $80 million in research funding. His accolades include the Jack E. Cermak Medal (2021), the Alan Davenport Medal (2023), and the Ontario Professional Engineers Award for Research and Development (2024). He was named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2022.

Beyond research, Kopp is a dedicated educator and mentor. He has supervised more than 100 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research staff. He is known for fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing research environment, and for his commitment to mentoring junior faculty members through departmental initiatives.

“Professor Kopp exemplifies the best of Western Engineering,” said Clare Robinson, professor and incoming chair of the department. “His leadership, mentorship and commitment to research excellence have elevated our faculty and inspired a generation of engineers.”

Kopp’s work has also reached the broader public. He is a frequent media contributor, helping Canadians understand the risks of severe weather and the importance of resilient infrastructure. His outreach efforts have helped raise awareness of engineering’s role in disaster mitigation and climate adaptation.

Western Engineering congratulates Kopp on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his continued contributions to research, education and public safety.