Dr. Luis Torres Cruz

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Luis Torres-Cruz joined the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering as an Assistant Professor in 2024, focusing on Tailings Management Innovation. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia, and a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. His teaching contributions include postgraduate courses on tailings management and critical state soil mechanics. His research primarily addresses the prevention of catastrophic failures in tailings dams, involving slope stability analysis, soil laboratory testing, and geotechnical situ testing, utilizing satellite imagery analysis. Torres-Cruz has received several awards, including an honorable mention for the RM Quigley Award by the Canadian Geotechnical Journal and the Jennings award from the South African Institution of Civil Engineering. He has been involved in collaborative research efforts with practitioners and has presented his findings to multiple consulting companies and universities. He is also recognized as a chartered engineer by the Engineering Council in the UK and is a member of the British Institution of Civil Engineering.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

— Present

Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering • Vancouver, Canada

Focuses on Tailings Management Innovation, teaching and researching critical state soil mechanics.

Courses

MINE 380 Waste Management MINE 486 Mining Environment MINE 581 Safety Tailings Storage Facilities MINE 590Q Advanced Waste Management

Requirements for University of British Columbia

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:21
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or related field 3 credits in formal logic 6 credits at the upper level in history of philosophy 3 credits at the upper level in ethics or value theory 6 credits at the upper level in metaphysics, epistemology, or philosophy of science
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Writing sample (15-20 pages)
  • Statement of intent
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
Specialization Notes

Offers course-only and thesis routes. Focus areas include philosophy of science, mind, ethics, and Asian philosophy.