My research interests are earthquake engineering, structure dynamics and mechanics, with an emphasis on the modeling, analysis and protection of structural systems under seismic excitations. The main goals of my research are to understand the seismic performance of bridges and buildings by experiments and model-based simulations; to develop seismic response models and analysis procedures validated by measurements from instrumented structures; to improve the structural performance and mitigate earthquake hazards by using innovative devices, systems and technologies. I have worked on various research topics that dealt with seismic response of structures and their foundations. My recent research activities include seismic response analysis of highway bridges, development of advanced simulation tools for soil-structure interaction analysis, seismic protection of highway bridges using passive energy dissipation devices, numerical and experimental investigation of complex shear wall behavior, rocking response and overturning of rigid bodies (non-structural components) under seismic excitation, and time-domain visco-elastic analysis of earth structures.