"Exploring the Next Era of Durability: Engineering"
In a world where natural disasters pose an increasing threat, Lehigh University's Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience (CCMR) is at the forefront of predicting and addressing these catastrophic events. Established in 2024, the CCMR is part of Lehigh's broader commitment to enhancing resilience through research and innovation.
The CCMR's unique approach to disaster management revolves around data-driven insights, interdisciplinary collaboration, integration with emerging technologies, research and education, and a focus on predicting human behaviour in the face of risk.
Data-driven insights are at the heart of the CCMR's operations. By utilising advanced data analysis and simulation techniques, the centre aims to better understand and predict the impact of catastrophic events. This involves leveraging large datasets and advanced computational models to forecast and analyse potential disasters.
Interdisciplinary collaboration is another key aspect of the CCMR's approach. By combining technical expertise with human insights, the centre develops comprehensive strategies for disaster management and resilience. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that solutions are grounded in both scientific rigour and practical applicability.
The CCMR also incorporates cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and IoT in its modelling and planning efforts. However, specific details about their use of these technologies are not provided.
In addition to its focus on natural disasters, the CCMR transfers computational models and tools from the study of natural disasters to other threats to society, such as epidemics.
The CCMR is not just a research centre; it is also a hub for educating the next generation of resilience experts. Through degree programmes and research opportunities, the centre contributes to the education of students and researchers in catastrophe modelling.
Urinrin Otite '25G '27 Ph.D. is the first student to earn a master's degree in catastrophe modelling and resilience at Lehigh.
The CCMR, along with the Center for Community-Driven Assistive Technologies (CDAT) and the Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions (ACES), are driving cross-sector collaboration, with strong support from academic peers and industry partners.
Lehigh University's commitment to high-impact, interdisciplinary research is evident in the establishment of these three new University Research Centers (URCs) under its Future Makers strategy. The university has been named an R1 research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing it among the nation's top 187 research institutions.
The work of the CCMR responds to urgent questions being asked by communities, companies, and governments regarding natural disaster risk and recovery. Lehigh's CCMR is a beacon for cutting-edge research and a training ground for the next generation of resilience experts.
- The CCMR's approach to disaster management encompasses research and education, focusing on predicting human behavior in the face of risk.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is integral to the CCMR's strategy, blending technical expertise with human insights for comprehensive disaster management.
- Data-driven insights underpin the CCMR's operations, utilizing advanced data analysis and simulation techniques for better understanding and predicting catastrophic events.
- The CCMR applies emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and IoT in its modeling and planning efforts, with details on their specific use remaining undisclosed.
- The CCMR does not limit itself to natural disasters; its computational models and tools are adapted for addressing other societal threats, such as epidemics.
- Lehigh University's CCMR serves not only as a research center but also as an educational institute, offering degree programs and research opportunities for students and researchers in catastrophe modeling.
- In 2025, Urinrin Otite became the first student to earn a master's degree in catastrophe modeling and resilience at Lehigh University.
- Lehigh University is strengthening cross-sector collaboration by establishing three new University Research Centers, with the CCMR playing a pivotal role in addressing natural disaster risk and recovery within the broader context of climate-change, environment, finance, business, industry, technology, education-and-self-development, data-and-cloud-computing, and engineering.
