In the span of just a few weeks, Professor Liberato Ferrara, from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has received two of the most prestigious international honors in the field of concrete and construction materials research: the Fellowship of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the Fellowship of RILEM — the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures. This exceptional double recognition, awarded by two of the world's leading scientific and technical organizations in the field, stands as a powerful testament to Professor Ferrara's outstanding contributions to the international research community and to the global visibility and impact of the scientific work carried out at Politecnico di Milano.
It is exceedingly rare for both organizations to bestow this honor upon the same individual in the same year, making this double recognition an unprecedented event and a testament to the exceptional value and international impact of Professor Ferrara's research.
ACI Fellow
Liberato Ferrara has been elected a Fellow of theAmerican Concrete Institute (ACI), the leading global authority for the development, dissemination, and adoption of consensus-based standards in the domain of concrete materials and structural applications, with more than 40,000 members across more than 120 countries. The election to ACI Fellow recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to both the Institute and the concrete industry at large, acknowledging professional excellence, leadership, and long-term commitment to the advancement of concrete science and engineering. Only a small percentage of ACI members receive this prestigious honor. The formal announcement of Professor Ferrara's election took place during the Opening Session of the ACI Spring 2026 Concrete Convention, on March 29, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago Hotel.
RILEM Fellow
Liberato Ferrara has also been elected a Fellow of RILEM — the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures — a globally renowned scientific association dedicated to advancing innovation in construction materials research, with members spanning universities, research institutions, and industry organizations across more than 70 countries. The honorary title of RILEM Fellow, created in 1993 by the General Council, is bestowed upon Senior Members who have made exceptional contributions to the association as research scientists, engineers, technical leaders or educators. Only a select number of RILEM members receive this distinction each year, which recognizes outstanding scientific achievement and sustained long-term engagement within the RILEM community.
