Media
Contact
Communications Specialist
Faculty of Engineering
Spencer Engineering Building
Room 2072
Western University
Tel: 519-661-2111 ext. 87015
Email: engineeringcomms@uwo.ca
Gregory Kopp wins Davenport Medal for contributions to wind engineering
Gregory Kopp, Western Engineering professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering, has been awarded the International Association for Wind Engineering (IAWE) Senior Award with the Davenport Medal for his outstanding contributions to the field of wind engineering.
Kopp, the ImpactWX Chair in Severe Storms Engineering, is only the second researcher from Western Engineering to be recognized with the Davenport Medal, after Barry Vickery received the honour in 2011. The Davenport Medal is named after Alan Davenport, the Western Engineering professor who defined the modern field of wind engineering, making building structures safer and more economical.
“I am absolutely thrilled for Greg,” says Western Engineering Dean Ken Coley. “The Davenport Medal is the highest honour in wind engineering. Greg has made many important contributions to this field, in particular the work he’s doing to better understand extreme weather. He is incredibly well-deserving of this recognition.”
Kopp is the lead researcher for the Northern Tornadoes Project, bringing his expertise in mitigating damage to structures during extreme windstorms such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
He works actively to implement research findings into practice, currently serving as Chair of the ASCE 49 Standards Committee on Wind Tunnel Testing For Buildings and other Structures, and as a member of various other Building Code committees.
“It is truly a great honour to receive this recognition,” says Kopp. “This was only possible because of the many great colleagues and students I have had the privilege to work with, together with the numerous opportunities that have arisen at Western.”
Kopp will be presented with the award at the International Conference on Wind Engineering in Florence, Italy in September. The IAWE, formally established in 1975, promotes international co-operation among scientists, engineers and other professionals for advancement of knowledge in the broad field of wind engineering.
