Dr. Arash A. Altoontash is a member of the Seismic Compliance Unit at the California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. He has more than 15 years of experience as a structural engineering regulator and design professional, in addition to 5 years of academic research and development experience at Stanford University. He was in charge of design or review of structural systems and elements utilizing a variety of building materials, including concrete, steel, masonry, wood, aluminum, cold-formed metal, acrylic, fiber-reinforced polymers, and glass. His expertise includes static/dynamic linear or nonlinear structural analyses, seismic design/retrofit/vulnerability assessment, base isolation and supplemental damping, liquid containing/soil retaining structures, utility lines’ seismic bracing, equipment seismic anchorage, laboratory testing of structural material/components/systems, and performance-based design, structural investigations. He has developed and taught advanced and introductory Structural Steel Design courses at the University of California, Irvine.