Giovanni Grasselli

Principal Investigator

NSERC – Energi Simulation Industrial Research Chair in Fundamental Rock Physics and Rock Mechanics

Biography

Giovanni Grasselli is a Professor and the NSERC/Energi Simulation Industrial Research Chair in Fundamental Petroleum Rock Physics and Rock Mechanics at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on hybrid finite-discrete element (FDEM) numerical technology, experimental visualization techniques, and geomechanics principles applied to the study of tunneling and hydraulic fracturing. He received the prestigious ISRM Rocha Medal (2004) for best thesis worldwide in rock mechanics and supervised two Rocha Medal winners (2015 and 2017). Through the start-up company Geomechanica Inc., the FDEM technology is currently commercialized and translated to engineering practice.

2019
2019

John A. Franklin Award

Canadian Geotechnical Society’s John A. Franklin Award in Rock Mechanics

2019
2019

OeGG Leopold Müller Award

Dr. Zhao (graduated with me in 2017) was awarded with the 2019 OeGG Leopold Müller Award.
2017
2017

Chair

NSERC/Energi Simulation Industrial Research Chair - Fundamental Rock Physics & Rock Mechanics.
2017
2017

Rocha Medal Award

Dr. Tatone (graduated with me in 2014) was awarded with the 2017 ISRM Rocha Medal Award.
2016
2016

Chair

Foundation CMG Chair in Fundamental Petroleum Rock Physics and Rock Mechanics.
2015
2015

Rocha Medal Award

Dr. Lisjak (graduated with me in 2013) was awarded with the 2015 ISRM Rocha Medal Award
2006 - To Date
2006 - To Date

Professor

Assistant, Associate (2014) and then Full (2016) Professor at the University of Toronto
2005
2005

Research Scientist

Research Scientist at the Geomechanics Research Center at Mirarco, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
2004
2004

Rocha Medal Award

Rocha Medal Award of the International Society for Rock Mechanics for 2004. (It recognizes the most outstanding doctoral thesis in rock mechanics for the year.) 

2003 - 2004
2003 - 2004

PostDoc

PostDoc in Rock Physics - Sandia National Laboratories - Albuquerque, USA supervisor Dr. Fredrich J.T.
2001 - 2003
2001 - 2003

PostDoc

PostDoc in Rock Mechanics - Imperial College London – London, UK supervisor Prof. Zimmerman R.W.
1998 - 2001
1998 - 2001

PhD Degree

Ph. D. in Rock Mechanics – EPFL - Lausanne, Switzerland ”Shear Strength of Rock Joints Based on Quantified Surface Description” advisors Prof. Descoeudres F. & Prof. Egger P. (thesis awarded with 2004 ISRM Rocha Medal)
1990 - 1995
1990 - 1995

MASc Degree

Laurea in Civil Engineering - Università degli studi di Parma - Parma, Italy advisors Prof. Giani G.P. & Prof. Egger P.