18 Jun 2025
Oxford Engineering alumnus honoured with young alumni leadership award
From Oxford to Canada, Giuseppe Del Gobbo applies engineering for climate resilience and community impact
Giuseppe, who completed his doctoral research in structural and seismic engineering at Oxford, was honoured at a ceremony hosted by the McMaster Alumni Association on 5 June 2025. in recognition of his professional achievements and leadership in the engineering community.
Giuseppe completed his doctoral research in 2018 with Dr Anthony Blakeborough and Dr Martin Williams. At Oxford he was actively involved in the university community and interdisciplinary life. He credits his time here with broadening his perspective beyond traditional engineering. Regular interactions with students from the humanities and social sciences, he says, introduced him to new ways of thinking that continue to inform his professional work.
His career has spanned international borders - from Oxford to Italy and Canada - and reflects a strong commitment to sustainable infrastructure and mentorship. His work focuses on infrastructure and renewable energy, and he has contributed to high-profile projects such as the Eglinton light rail transitline extension in Toronto, where he applied advanced climate modelling to strengthen infrastructure resilience.
His formative experience at Oxford included fieldwork with the Institution of Structural Engineer’s Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) in central Italy, a joint venture between industry and universities, which conducts field investigations following major earthquakes. The post-earthquake assessments, conducted in villages that had been severely damaged, deepened his understanding of structural performance under seismic stress and reinforced his commitment to engineering excellence.
Giuseppe remains closely connected to the engineering community through volunteer roles with the Professional Engineers of Ontario and the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering. He is an active mentor to early-career professionals and supports STEM education through community outreach.
He encourages current Oxford students interested in sustainability to engage deeply with their academic and professional networks, noting the value of connecting with faculty and peers to find mentors and inspiration.
“Engineering strengthened my ability to think critically and act purposefully. Even if my path leads outside of traditional design roles, my engineering mindset will continue to shape how I approach challenges.” says Giuseppe.
Giuseppe's career exemplifies the global impact Oxford Engineering alumni continue to have across sectors, borders, and generations.
