Ying Zhou
    Tongji University

   Billie F. Spencer Jr
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The International Joint Research Laboratory of Earthquake Engineering (ILEE) at Tongji University was established in 2015 with the aim of serving as a platform for international collaboration and academic exchanges in earthquake engineering research. After five years of dedicated research, and a subsequent three year pause due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are now rebooting the ILEE with the vision of establishing a next generation center of excellence that delves deeper into seismic engineering, and fortifies its foundations. This endeavor builds upon the progress and achievements made through our collaborative efforts with our partners in earthquake engineering communities worldwide.

To date, we have completed the renewal and updating of our Board of Directors and the Scientific Committee, and we have also revamped the ILEE website. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the former members for their continuous contributions to the ILEE, and extend a warm welcome and heartfelt gratitude to the new members for joining us in becoming a part of the ILEE.

As the new co-directors of the ILEE, we are honored and excited to work with all of you in the coming years. Together, we believe we can make the ILEE a broader, deeper，and stronger platform.

July 13, 2023