Hi, I am Yaseen Mahmood and I joined the department of seismology as a research assistant couple of months ago, in the beginning of August.
I am from Pakistan and I received my MSc degree in earthquake engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar. I opted this field because I have seen massive earthquakes across the world, especially in my country. These earthquakes not only destroyed multiple cities but also many causalities took place. I started figuring out why these events occur? Then I realized I have a knack for science related to earthquakes and seismology. So, I started my research journey.
Talking about the research work, my master’s thesis focused on using a different methodology for assessing the seismic resilience of a region. It also includes the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, development of analytical models which evaluate seismic losses (socioeconomic losses), functional recovery paths, and seismic resilience of distinct types of buildings. Besides my master’s thesis, I have worked on the recovery models of transportation systems that were affected by multiple disasters including earthquakes. These models will help in the decision-making process for the restoration of the transportation system within a specific region.
Before joining the Institute of Geophysics – Polish Acadamy of Sciences, I was serving as a lecturer in a university in Pakistan. In addition to that, I had an opportunity to work as a project engineer in an international project funded by USAID.
Joining IGF is like a dream come true. People in this institute are very professional and helpful. Here we work like a team, and everyone tries to hoist the team member with full zest. Furthermore, the institute is equipped with modern instruments, and the research activities are on the top.
Apart from research, I love to do painting and sketching in my free time, and Krakow is the best place to do arts because of its richness in history. Different historical sites are worth seeing, and the architecture of medieval buildings is astonishing. I will explore more about this city in the future.
To sum up, I want to express that “Believe in your dreams. So that they can choose you.”