Yakov Zelickman is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering. He has a theoretical background in solid and fracture mechanics, non-linear structural analysis, and optimization, and extensive practical experience as a structural engineer. His research focuses on developing structural optimization algorithms aimed at creating smarter and more efficient structures.
Zelickman is currently working on several projects in the field of structural design and optimization, which span different system scales and a variety of physical phenomena. His work includes leveraging optimization techniques to explore new architectures for structural batteries, material discovery and characterization, and concrete structural systems.
Zelickman has been honored with the Nezer Prize for outstanding research in the analysis and design of structures. He is also an active member of the Optimal Structural Design Committee of the American Society of Civil Engineer’s Structural Engineering Institute, underscoring his dedication to development of the field of structural optimization and outreach in the engineering community.
Prior to joining Johns Hopkins faculty, Zelickman completed his postdoctoral fellowship with JHU’s Department of Civil and Systems Engineering. He earned his BSc, MSc, and PhD—all in structural engineering—from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.