SPEAKERS

Thank you to the following distinguished industry professionals:

LPA DESIGN STUDIOS

Bryan Seamer SE

As the Director of Structural Engineering for LPA Design Studios, Bryan Seamer is passionate about creating safe, high-performing, cost-effective structural systems that are long-lasting, durable and resilient. With more than 20 years’ experience in new construction, seismic assessment and rehabilitation of existing buildings, Bryan uses emerging technologies and innovative design strategies to create safer built environments, preserve historic structures, and reduce embodied carbon in the built environment. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Bryan worked to help rebuild the country and train local structural engineers in seismic design and construction. He considers the experience one of the most impactful and humbling of his career. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California, Bryan received his Master of Science in Structural Engineering from Cal State University, Long Beach.

Harshda Prasad SE

Harshda Prasad leads LPA’s structural engineering practice in San Diego and Northern California, spearheading major civic, education, life science and biotech projects. She is a proven leader on complex projects, using her technical expertise and experience to help develop innovative and efficient structural strategies. Within the firm, Harshda is a technical engineering mentor, raising everyone’s expertise. Known for her empathetic style, she is a passionate advocate for advancing women in the engineering profession. As President of SEAOSD she spearheaded the creation of a Women in Structural Engineering (WISE) for the organization as well as founding LPA’s Women in Engineering Group. Harshda earned a Master of Science in Engineering from University of Texas at Austin.

Ozzie Tapia AIA

Ozzie Tapia is a passionate advocate for a multidisciplinary, informed design process rooted in collaborative engagement with communities. Working primarily with K-12 and higher education clients, he has led design on a generation of high-performance facilities that address the fast-evolving needs of students and educators — libraries, student unions, recreation and wellness centers, academic buildings, and complete campuses that are healthier, operate more efficiently and elevate the user experience. A native of Lima, Peru, with two decades of architectural experience, Ozzie emphasizes an inclusive approach in leading design exploration, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and collaborating with users to help shape the design direction for projects. His influence can be found in a wide variety of transformative award-winning projects. In 2020, Ozzie was the recipient of the AIA’s prestigious Young Architect award in recognition of his distinguished body of work and efforts to integrate high performance design through a more inclusive, collaborative approach. At LPA, he helped launch LPA for Change, the firm’s community support effort, which focuses on combatting homelessness, supporting volunteer initiatives, and developing young professionals through the LPA Interdisciplinary Scholarship program.

Learn more about LPA Design Studios

NCSEA AI Project Team

John-Michael Wong SE

John-Michael Wong is an Associate at KPFF Consulting Engineers in San Francisco with 15 years of industry experience. He is a SEAONC member, and Project Manager for the NCSEA Foundation's Innovation in Structural Engineering Grant Team on Artificial Intelligence.

John-Michael completed his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and has conducted research on a variety of topics related to design, analysis, lean construction, and computer applications. He is a leader in introducing AI technologies for applications to design and professional practice within KPFF.

Dave Martin SE

Dave Martin is an Associate at Degenkolb, based in Oakland, and an active member of SEAOC. He holds a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and an M.S. in Structural Engineering, Mechanics, and Materials from UC Berkeley. As a leader in adopting AI technologies and advancing BIM integration at Degenkolb, Dave plays a key role in both project management and technology initiatives.

His primary focus is large healthcare projects, though his experience also includes several seismic retrofit and tenant improvement projects. Dave is a member of the ASCE 41 committee and former secretariat. Currently, Dave serves on the NCSEA AI Grant team, which promotes practice-specific education and advances the use of AI in the structural engineering profession. Dave is passionate about structural engineering because it uniquely combines science and design, form and function, and he finds great fulfillment in seeing his designs come to life, serving communities safely.

Learn more about the NCSEA AI Project Team

Arup

Chase Kossack SE

Chase Kossack is a Senior Structural Engineer and Associate at Arup, where he leads multidisciplinary teams in delivering innovative, performance-driven design solutions for large-scale infrastructure and cultural projects. A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with both a B.S. in Architectural Engineering and an M.S. in Architecture specializing in Structures, Chase brings over a decade of expertise in seismic engineering, project management, and sustainable design.

Chase’s recent work includes serving as Stations Package Manager for the BART Silicon Valley Extension Phase II, overseeing the integration of diverse design specialties, such as geoseismic, tunneling, and MEP systems. Chase also led the structural design for the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour, including the engineering of the awe-inspiring 200-foot-tall Shuttle Hall Roof and 160-foot-tall Viewing Gantry.

At Arup, Chase exemplifies the firm's dedication to sustainable development and multidisciplinary collaboration. He is known for fostering technical excellence while driving innovation on projects that advance resilience and efficiency in the built environment. Passionate about shaping a better world, Chase continues to inspire his teams with his commitment to high-performance engineering and sustainable design strategies

Learn more about Arup

Keynote Speaker

Michelle Kam-Biron PE, SE, F. SEAOC

Michelle Kam-Biron is a California licensed structural engineer with a unique background in structural engineering consulting, education of codes and standards for the non-profit sector representing the wood industry and sales and education of mass timber manufacturing and supply.  Currently she works as a Senior Engineer at Simpson Strong-Tie. Her mass timber experience includes working as a Mass Timber Specialist/Sales at Structurlam, Boise Cascade Mass Timber and Kalesnikoff, in addition to Vice President of Education with American Wood Council (AWC) and Senior Director with WoodWorks.  Prior to joining the wood industry, Ms. Kam-Biron has several years of experience as a consulting Structural Engineer.

She is committed to advancing the structural engineering profession through her volunteer work with NCSEA, SEAOSC and ASCE-SEI committees, notably as the first woman President of SEAOSC where she founded the SEAOSC Women in Structural Engineering (WiSE) Committee and Women Working Together Committee. The latter is a partnership between AIA-LA WiA, NAWIC, SEAOSC WiSE and WiOPS.  She also co-founded the Timber Strong-Design Build university student competition and has received numerous accolades, including the Susan M. Frey NCSEA Educator Award and induction as the first SEAOSC woman into the SEAOC College of Fellows.