Ronald S. Harichandran, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE

Ronald Harichandran Headshot
Dean / Vice Provost for Research

Tagliatela College of Engineering
Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

M.S. in Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

B.E. in Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Licensed Professional Engineer, Michigan

About Ronald

Dr. Harichandran is dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering in which CIT is housed. He helped create and shape CIT. He secured two congressionally directed grants totaling $544,000 to purchase equipment in support of cybersecurity education and research through which servers and software were purchased and support personnel were hired.

Click here for Dr. Harichandran's full curriculum vitae.

Awards and Honors

Member, Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, 2014.

Withrow Exceptional Service Award, College of Engineering, Michigan State University, 2011.

Executive Leadership Academy, Michigan State University, 2009-10.

ASCE Department Heads Council Executive Committee, chair (2008-10), secretary (2006-08), member (2003-10).

Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2005.

ASCE Body of Knowledge II Committee, 2005-07.

Michigan Transportation Research Board, Founding chair, 2005-10.

CIC Academic Leadership Fellow, Michigan State University, 1996-97.

Teacher-Scholar Award, Michigan State University, 1992.

Selected Publications

Breitinger, F., Tully-Doyle, R., Przyborski, K., Beck, L., and Harichandran, R. S. (2021). “First year students' experience in a Cyber World course – an evaluation.” Education and Information Technologies, 26(1), 1069–1087.

Harichandran, R. S., Erdil, N. O., Carnasciali, M-I., Nocito-Gobel, J., and Li, Q. (2018). “Developing an entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students using integrated e-learning modules.” Advances in Engineering Education, 7(1).

Nossoni, G., Harichandran, R. S. (2014). “Electrochemical-mechanistic model for concrete cover cracking due to corrosion initiated by chloride diffusion.” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE, 26(6).

Tarinejad, R., Ahmadi, M. T., and Harichandran, R. S. (2014). "Full-scale experimental modal analysis of an arch dam: the first experience in Iran." Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 61-62, 188-196.

Tarinejad, R., Fatehi, R., and Harichandran, R. S. (2013). "Response of an arch dam to non-uniform excitation generated by a seismic wave scattering model." Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 52, 40-54.

Nossoni, G., Harichandran, R. S. (2012). "Current efficiency in accelerated corrosion testing of concrete." Corrosion, 68(9), 801-809.

Gong, A., and Harichandran, R. S. (2012). "Wood-cement particleboard: impact behavior and potential appli­cation in crash barriers." Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, ASCE, 24(1), 134-140.

Zhang, G., Harichandran, R.S., and Ramuhalli, P. (2011). "Application of noise cancelling and damage detection algorithms in NDE of concrete bridge decks using impact signals." Journal of Nondestructuve Evaluation, 30(4), 259-274.

Iqbal, S., and Harichandran, R.S. (2010). "Capacity reduction and fire load factors for LRFD of steel members exposed to fire." Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, 136(12), 1554-1562.

Hong, S., and Harichandran, R. S. (2005). "Sensors to monitor CFRP/concrete bond in beams using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy." Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE, 9(6), 515-523.

Chen, M.-T., and Harichandran, R. S. (2001). "Response of an earth dam to spatially varying earthquake ground motion." Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 127(9), 932-939.

Harichandran, R. S., Mahmood, T., Raab, A., and Baladi, G. Y. (1993). "A modified Newton algorithm for back­calculation of pavement layer properties." Transportation Research Record, 1384, 15-22.

Harichandran, R. S., Yeh, M-S., and Baladi, G. Y. (1990). "MICH-PAVE: a nonlinear finite element program for the analysis of flexible pavements." Transportation Research Record, 1286, 123-131.

Harichandran, R. S., and Vanmarcke, E. (1986). "Stochastic variation of earthquake ground motion in space and time." Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 112(2), 154-174, and 113(8), 1271-1273.

Recent Grants

Davis Educational Foundation, "Project to integrate technical communication habits," with co-PIs Michael Collura, Jean Nocito-Gobel, John Saris and Amir Esmailpour, July 2012-July 2015.

Kern Family Foundation, "Developing entrepreneurial thinking in engineering students by utilizing integrated online modules and experiential learning opportunities, with co-Pls: Maria-Isabel Carnasciali, Jean Nocito-Gobel, Nadiye Erdil and Cheryl Li. Feb. 2015-Aug. 2018.

Kern Family Foundation, "Developing entrepreneurial thinking in engineering students by utilizing integrated online modules and a leadership cohort, with co-Pls: Maria-Isabel Carnasciali and Jean Nocito-Gobel. June 2014-May 2015.

News and In the Media

In the Media

Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, participated in a panel discussion on the state of the bridges in Connecticut. The event took place after the Key Bridge was struck by a cargo ship and collapsed.

In the Media

Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, discusses the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore from a civil engineering perspective.

In the Media

Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, discusses the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland and whether it could happen in Connecticut.

In the Media

Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, comments on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland after it was struck by a cargo vessel.

In the Media

Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of cybersecurity, data and computer science; computer and electrical engineering; and director of the SAIL Lab, and Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, comment on the technical applications of AI models used by engineers and researchers. As AI becomes more mainstream, the Connecticut State Legislature aims to regulate how it can be used to prevent nefarious actions.

In the Media

Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, discusses a federal grant received for the Center for Consumer Protection and Cybersecurity to support a project at the University of New Haven.

In the Media

Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering, discusses the need to fund nationwide clean energy fields of study for engineering universities.

In the Media

Ron Harichandran, dean of the Tagliatela College of Engineering along with students discuss Lockheed Martin Day and the helicopter landing.

The Charger Blog

Guiding the University of New Haven to New Heights as a National Research Leader

Ronald Harichandran, the University’s vice provost for research, says he is excited to be part of an expanded vision for research at the University because he believes research transforms learning, emboldens teaching, and gives graduates a decided edge in the job market and in careers across countless industries.