The Journey of Dr. Marc-Ansy Laguerre

Dr. Marc-Ansy Laguerre is an educator, researcher, and engineer whose work bridges earthquake engineering with a commitment to education, public policy, and community resilience. His academic and professional journey reflects both technical excellence and an enduring passion for using science and engineering to serve vulnerable populations, particularly in seismic zones. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Rice University, where his research focused on the seismic retrofitting of reinforced concrete buildings in Haiti, integrating both empirical damage data and advanced simulation techniques. His doctoral work, conducted under the guidance of Professor Reginald DesRoches, combined structural assessment, probabilistic seismic vulnerability analysis, and cost-benefit evaluation. Prior to that, he completed a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. In addition to his engineering credentials, Marc-Ansy earned two interdisciplinary graduate certificates: one in Latin American Social and Public Policy and another in Teaching and Learning, highlighting his commitment to understanding regional development and enhancing the quality of education.

Academic Achievements

Marc-Ansy began his academic journey at the State University of Haiti (Université d’État d’Haïti), where he enrolled in civil engineering shortly after the devastating 2010 earthquake, which struck during his first year of studies. The tragedy had a profound personal impact because he lost his brother in the disaster. This painful event became the turning point that led him to dedicate himself to earthquake-resistant construction and public policy. Motivated by a deep sense of purpose, he completed his degree with honors and went on to serve as an assistant teacher in mechanics for sophomore engineering students. Recognizing his academic excellence, leadership, and strong commitment to education, the engineering department of the university nominated him for the Fulbright Scholarship, which opened the door to graduate studies in the United States and a broader mission of contributing to Haiti’s resilience through engineering and education.

Marc-Ansy began his Fulbright journey with a seven-month program at the Intensive English Institute (IEI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This immersive experience allowed him to strengthen his academic English and become familiar with U.S. university culture. During his time at the IEI, he also developed friendships with fellow international scholars, fostering cross-cultural connections. Serving as a vital bridge between his life in Haiti and his academic path in the United States, this period prepared him for the graduate studies that followed at the University of Pittsburgh.

During his time in Pittsburgh, Marc-Ansy continued his Fulbright experience as a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, where he strengthened his background in civil engineering and also took the initiative to complete 18 credits of policy-related coursework in the Department of Political Science and at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA). This interdisciplinary academic path enabled him to earn a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Latin American Social and Public Policy. He was also awarded a fellowship from the Center for Latin American Studies, through which he engaged in educational outreach by presenting on Haitian history and culture to high school students. In addition, he participated in the Fulbright-Amizade service-learning program in Williamson, West Virginia, working alongside local communities on rural sustainability, public health, and community development in a region facing the challenges of a post-coal economy. Building on this foundation, he was admitted to Rice University to pursue a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, where he further expanded his focus on seismic risk mitigation and structural resilience.

At Rice University, Marc-Ansy pursued his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, focusing on seismic risk mitigation and the retrofitting of vulnerable structures, particularly in Haiti. His research combined empirical post-earthquake data with advanced numerical modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of retrofitting techniques and to develop fragility curves. Alongside his doctoral work, he earned a Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning from Rice’s Center for Teaching Excellence, reflecting his ongoing dedication to education and pedagogy. During his time at Rice, he was also selected to serve as a Graduate Student Ambassador, a role in which he supported prospective graduate students, shared insights on academic life, and helped foster a welcoming and inclusive campus environment. His experience at Rice strengthened both his technical expertise and his commitment to combining research, teaching, and public engagement in meaningful ways.

Professional and Research Experience

Currently a Postdoctoral Associate at Rice University, Dr. Marc-Ansy Laguerre conducts research at the intersection of earthquake engineering and artificial intelligence, applying tools such as Bayesian frameworks, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and machine learning algorithms to improve damage classification and develop refined fragility models based on post-earthquake data. His work has been featured in several publications, including Rice News, Science Magazine, and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Marc-Ansy has presented his research at many conferences, including the Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference in Georgia and the Research Industry Showcase at Rice University in both 2023 and 2024. He was selected for the Trailblazers in Engineering Fellowship at Purdue University in 2024, and in 2025, he participated in the Future Faculty Workshop at the University of Notre Dame, further reflecting his dedication to academic leadership and impactful research.

Public Engagement and Outreach

Beyond research and formal teaching, Dr. Marc-Ansy Laguerre is committed to bridging the gap between engineering knowledge and public understanding. In 2018, he founded Génie 360, a multimedia educational platform designed to democratize access to engineering and scientific knowledge in Haiti and across the Francophone world. More than a communication tool, Génie 360 reflects a deeper philosophy: that technical knowledge should not remain confined to classrooms, journals, or elite circles, but should become a shared resource for communities seeking to understand, question, and shape the world around them.

Through a combination of videos, hands-on demonstrations, and blog articles, the platform promotes curiosity, critical thinking, and civic responsibility, especially among young people and those historically excluded from STEM fields. Recent content has addressed topics such as Monte Carlo simulations, seismic vulnerabilities, and retrofitting strategies—all explained in accessible language and often illustrated with real-world analogies, physical models, or storytelling. Génie 360 is not only a platform for education; it is also a call for social inclusion through science, and a space where engineering becomes a tool for public empowerment and resilience

Marc-Ansy Laguerre envisions a future where technical expertise is paired with social responsibility. He is actively working toward creating a more resilient built environment while promoting broader conversations on educational reform and sustainable development. Whether in the lab, the classroom, or the digital sphere, he remains driven by the conviction that engineering should serve people first, especially those who are most at risk.