Dr. Sami Rizkalla, Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering and Construction and Director of the Constructed Facilities Laboratory at North Carolina State University, has been elected a Fellow of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI).  The Institute recognized Rizkalla for his "outstanding contributions to the precast concrete structures industry and to the institute."

Rizkalla will received the award Sunday, September 13 during the PCI Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Rizkalla's research interests are in the field of advanced composite materials and their uses for civil engineering applications, including design, construction and performance of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures and bridges.  For the past 20 years, Rizkalla has been focused on the use of fiber reinforced polymer materials for rehabilitation, strengthening and repair of bridges and structures, as well as new construction.

Rizkalla received his B.S. in civil engineering in 1965 from Alexandria University, his M.S. in civil engineering in 1974 from NC State, and his PhD in civil engineering in 1976 from NC State.