Francisco Zabala was born in the city of Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina, on November 21st, 1956. He graduated as Civil Engineer from the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture of the National University of San Juan in 1982. He was awarded the Gold Medal and Diploma of Honor to the highest average of his year.
He carried out postgraduate studies at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Spain). In 1996, he was granted the Honor College Tuiton of the Master in Numerical Methods for Calculation and Design in Engineering Master, and in 2010, he obtained the PhD in Engineering achieving an outstanding Cum Laude distinction, the highest qualification.
He began working at the Earthquake Research Institute (IDIA-UNSJ) in 1982 carrying out research, teaching and transfer activities for mining and electric companies and government institutions. Ha has participated as director and co-director in more than 80 national and international research projects. He has directed and co-directed master and PhD theses of numerous professionals.
He is Professor of Structures V and Earthquake Resistant at the UNSJ. Since 1989, he has been representative of the Civil Engineering Group in the Permanent Education Committee, Postgraduate Studies Department of Faculty of Engineering, UNSJ.
At present, he develops as director of IDIA and of the Postgraduate Program «Master’s Degree in Earthquake Resistant Structures Engineering», position he has held since 2003.
