Modarres Awarded Honorary Doctorate

In a solemn ceremony, Universidad Da Vinci de Guatemala awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa to Mohammad Modarres, Nicole J. Kim Eminent Professor and director of the Center for Risk and Reliability (CRR) at the University of Maryland (UMD), in recognition of his outstanding contributions to risk analysis and reliability engineering.

Modarres was joined by fellow honoree Ali Mosleh, a leading international expert in the study of complex systems and also a former UMD faculty member. Both received the official academic regalia and honorary medal, symbolizing their formal induction into the academic community of Universidad Da Vinci as honorary members.

Following conferral of the degrees, Modarres delivered a lecture titled “Risk and Reliability in a Changing World,” offering insights into contemporary global challenges in systems risk assessment. These lectures were attended by students from the Faculty of Engineering, Industry, and Technology, as well as outstanding students from other faculties.

The honorary degrees were conferred by invitation of the university’s Board of Trustees, chaired by Cyrano Ruiz, who was mentored by both honorees during his doctoral studies at UMD under the Fulbright program. This longstanding academic relationship laid the foundation for deepening ties between the institutions.

Beyond the academic ceremony, both Modarres and Mosleh were able to experience the natural, cultural, and socioeconomic landscape of Guatemala through visits to emblematic sites around the country, enriching their understanding and connection with the nation.

The event gathered a distinguished audience, including the deans of all 12 Universidad Da Vinci faculties, the political affairs counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, the deputy secretary of the National Secretariat of Science and Technology, university rectors, and members of the wider academic community.

This historic visit marks the beginning of a series of interinstitutional projects between UMD and Universidad Da Vinci, forging bonds between the peoples of the United States and Guatemala through science, the arts, and technology.

Published April 29, 2025