About
The IRI Research Group
The Innovation for Resilient Infrastructure (IRI) Research Group seeks to enhance the condition and resilience of infrastructure systems by developing data-driven, risk-based, and cost-effective methodologies to optimize decision-making in the management of infrastructure.
IRI addresses a critical challenge facing modern society: the deterioration of civil infrastructure. Much of the U.S. infrastructure is underfunded and in poor or mediocre condition, undermining safety, economic competitiveness, and quality of life. In this context of constrained resources, agencies responsible for managing infrastructure systems must make informed, cost‑effective decisions about how to build, maintain, upgrade, and operate infrastructure assets. IRI research integrates engineering principles, simulation modeling, and economic analysis to support systematic, evidence‑based decision‑making for infrastructure management.
Cristina Torres-Machi, Ph.D.
Cristina Torres-Machi leads the IRI research group at the University of Colorado Boulder. Cristina is an Associate Professor of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering with more than 15 years of experience working on advancing the current management of infrastructure assets, with a focus on pavements.
Her research activities in this field include: (1) developing stochastic models to understand how infrastructure deteriorates over time and identify the main drivers affecting this deterioration, (2) using simulation models to predict future conditions and inform decision-making under uncertainty, and (3) employing multi-objective optimization to ensure a sustainable and cost-effective allocation of available funding.
She has authored more than 100 publications including journal articles, book chapters, research reports, and peer-reviewed conference proceedings. Her work has received more than 1,500 citations. She has participated in successful projects funded by public and private agencies including State Departments of Transportation, the Transportation Research Board, and the National Science Foundation. Different organizations including universities and the private sector have recognized her research contributions. Examples of these recognitions include the CU Provost’s Faculty Achievement Award Pre-Tenured Assistant Professor (2024), the Young Resilience Fellowship from 4TU Centre for Resilience Engineering in The Netherlands (2020), and the Abertis International Award on Transportation Research (2016).
Cristina has served as the vice-chair of the TRB standing committee on Transportation Asset Management (AJE30) and the chair of the ASCE Construction Research Council (CRC) Executive Committee. Cristina is currently serving as an active member of the Asset, Performance & Risk Management Committee (AQB13).
Contact
cristina.torresmachi@colorado.edu
(303) 735-4609
Torres-Machi's Curriculum Vitae