ENGEO’s unmatched earthquake engineering team specializes in advanced geotechnical earthquake engineering, using cutting-edge methods to accurately quantify seismic hazards and optimize designs. They focus on new structures, infrastructure, and retrofits in seismically vulnerable urban areas, addressing unique challenges. Their expertise ensures efficient designs and compliance with complex regulations, supported by peer-reviewed analyses from leading authorities in the field.
Ayoub Riman, CMEngNZ | Wellington, New Zealand
Ayoub has over 20 years’ experience as a geotechnical and earthquake engineer in New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Ayoub specializes in soil-structure interaction, finite-element modelling, and foundation design. He has applied his specialty and expertise in several master planning, existing and new buildings, water, and infrastructure projects.
Ayoub is a steering member and chair of the Technical Excellence Group at ENGEO (NZ, AU and USA). He is also a former elected member of the management committee of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society (NZGS). Ayoub is leading the technical committee for the NZGS 2025 Symposium.
“In earthquake engineering practice, collaboration comes first. Efficiency and intelligence are important, but without enough collaboration to understand the project’s needs and objectives, success can be elusive. Working with the earthquake team at ENGEO is a great experience. Daily discussions with such smart colleagues make it easier to step into new arenas and provide the best in the industry.”
Bahareh Heidarzadeh, PhD, PE | San Ramon, California
Bahareh has over 10 years of research and consulting experience in geotechnical earthquake engineering. She has served as the project manager and technical lead on several large private and public projects. Bahareh has extensive experience in earthquake engineering including ergodic and non-ergodic seismic-hazard analysis, ground-response analysis, and ground-motion studies for new developments and seismic retrofit projects in California, New Zealand, and South Korea. Bahareh’s technical expertise also includes shallow and deep foundations, soft, highly compressible soil, liquefaction evaluation, and slope stability analysis.
During her PhD research, she studied the impacts of Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) on the seismic-stress demands in soil material beneath the structures. Bahareh’s role was instrumental in ENGEO’s implementation of non-ergodic site-response in seismic-hazard analysis.
“Geotechnical earthquake engineering is my passion because it allows me to be at the intersection of science, safety, and innovation. I love collaborating closely with structural engineers and clients to use the best science and create not only resilient but also optimal designs that can withstand the forces of nature. While we may not directly interact with the end users, our work has a profound impact on their lives by ensuring the safety and efficiency of the structures and infrastructure on which they rely. That ability to positively influence communities is what makes this field so rewarding.”
Chris Nicas, PE | Oakland, California
Chris is a Senior Engineer with over 5 years of consulting experience specializing in geotechnical earthquake engineering, including site-specific ergodic and non-ergodic seismic-hazard analysis, site-response analysis, and ground-motion studies. He also has extensive experience in numerical modeling with applications in fully dynamic soil-structure interaction, deformation analysis, and landslide mitigation. Chris’ work on various projects includes geotechnical exploration, geophysical testing, liquefaction evaluation, consolidation settlement analysis, slope-stability analysis, shallow and deep foundation design and analysis, design of earth retaining systems and excavations, design and analysis of ground improvement systems, and peer review.
Chris serves projects throughout California, Nevada, Guam, and New Zealand, and his experience includes a wide range of projects from low- to high-rise structures, residential and commercial development, medical facilities, education, public works, waterfront development, and slope stabilization.
“At ENGEO, we strive to use cutting-edge science and modeling techniques to better understand and reduce uncertainty surrounding design ground motions. This allows us to deliver optimized engineering solutions, and it provides our clients and project stakeholders with the best possible understanding of earthquake risk. I am grateful to work with industry-leading experts in earthquake engineering and to serve clients who appreciate our unique and sophisticated approaches to seismic analysis and design.”
David Teague, PhD, GE | San Ramon, California
David, an Associate of ENGEO, is a geotechnical engineer with specialization in earthquake engineering and geophysical exploration techniques. He serves a variety of projects in both the public and private sectors including high rises, waterfront development, and water and wastewater infrastructure. David has extensive experience with seismic site response, ergodic and non-ergodic seismic-hazard analyses, ground-motion selection and modification, and soil-structure interaction. David has performed seismic-hazard analyses for several high-profile projects and played an instrumental role in ENGEO’s implementation of a specialized technique for predicting earthquake site response known as “non-ergodic” site response. Additionally, David has broad experience with slope stability, excavations, and shallow and deep foundations. David is committed to the advancement of building codes and serves as a corresponding member on the 2026 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Provisions Update Committee (PUC).
“Despite all that our profession has learned about earthquakes, earthquake engineering is a field with significant uncertainties. My role is to help clients navigate this uncertainty, collect additional information to reduce it wherever possible, and arrive at solutions that are safe, resilient, and practical.”
Pedro Espinosa, GE | San Ramon, California
Pedro, a Principal of ENGEO, is a geotechnical engineer with over 18 years of high-level geotechnical engineering design experience and is a recognized technical leader in the industry. He specializes in seismic design, earthquake engineering, and seismic retrofit evaluations for transportation, infrastructure, high-rise construction, waterfront, educational facilities and hospitals. Pedro’s technical leadership in the area of geotechnical numerical analysis, including finite-element modeling and soil-structure-interaction, is of utmost importance during evaluations of structures within highly seismic regions. He has led the geotechnical engineering on many high-profile projects, including serving as the lead geotechnical engineer for ENGEO’s work at Treasure Island in San Francisco and the Lucas Museum in Los Angeles, among many other projects.
“Earthquake engineering and our understanding of ground failure due to seismic events are evolving constantly. At ENGEO, we are taking this evolution and are optimizing “conventional wisdom” (a.k.a. “excessive construction costs”). I am honored to be surrounded by the brightest and most creative people in the world who, at ENGEO, take very seriously their duty to serve the community with lean designs that keep people safe. This is why I look forward to coming to work every single day.”
Stephanie Cherfane, CMEngNZ | Wellington, New Zealand
Stephanie is a geotechnical engineer with over 14 years of consultancy experience. Her key technical expertise includes liquefaction and lateral spread evaluation, settlement analysis, shallow and deep foundation design, seismic strengthening design and soil structure interaction. She has also done extensive work in landslide and slope stability assessment and remediation design, geotechnical design work for commercial and multi-story buildings (including foundations, retaining structures and excavations), management and design of large-scale geotechnical site investigations, and technically challenging projects throughout Middle East, Africa and New Zealand.
Project experience covers a broad range of industries including transportation, buildings (including education, commercial and high-rise buildings) and land development.
“I find joy working with my smart colleagues on challenging designs of buildings that not only stand tall but also protect lives. There’s a profound satisfaction in knowing that our work contributes to the safety of communities, making them better prepared for when the earth shakes. It’s not just a job; it’s a passion for innovation and a commitment to safeguarding our future.”
