May 23, 2012
Professor Carl Monismith, director of the University of California Pavement Research Center (PRC) for more than five decades, stepped down from his position earlier this month.
Dr. James Signore, who has served as assistant director of the Berkeley branch of the dual-campus research center for the past three years, has been appointed to the directorship. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Illinois in 1998 and has been with the center for six years. Professor Monismith has agreed to continue to serve as assistant director.
“Jim has considerable practical and research experience in the field of pavement engineering,” said ITS Director Samer Madanat, who announced the changes.
The research center, currently jointly operated by Berkeley and Davis, was born in 1951 to restore California’s highway system after rapid industrialization necessitated by World War II left it in tatters. It was formed to develop materials for tougher, longer-lasting roadways, and its researchers have worked closely with Caltrans for many decades.
Monismith, a professor of the Graduate School in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been with the PRC since 1953.
“Carl Monismith is the founding director of the Pavement Research Center, and he is internationally known for his contributions to the field,” added Madanat. He has also been a mentor to dozens of graduate students in the field of pavement engineering.