Amadei is a native of Roubaix, France, born on July 23, 1954. Amadei earned a Diploma of Engineer in 1977 in the area of Applied Geology from the School of Applied Geology and Mining Engineering in Nancy, France. Following a year of service in the French Army, he began graduate studies abroad. He earned a Master of Science from the University of Toronto in 1979 and was awarded a doctorate in civil engineering in 1982 from the University of California, Berkeley for his thesis publication entitled "The Influence of Rock Anisotropy on Measurement of Stresses in Rock in situ." The Obama administration, following up the president's announcement of the program in Cairo, named Dr. Amadei one of three Scientific Envoys appointed by Secretary of State Clinton in November, 2012.Marlow, Jeffrey. . Wired Magazine.
Establishment of Engineers Without Borders-USA
A firm belief in the principle that engineers must hold the public welfare paramount, or above any other responsibility, led Amadei to reconsider his involvement in a hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica in 2002. He thought that this project would displace too many local residents and violate this principle of "do no harm." This realization came along about two years after his first experience with a humanitarian engineering project. In 2000, Amadei organized an effort resulting in the construction of a water pump for a village in Belize. He undertook the effort at the suggestion of an immigrant landscaper working at his residence. Amadei saw that the installation of a pump to supply drinking water to the village of San Pablo would have a social impact on this community. Young girls in the village were tasked with carrying water each day from the river to the village. This meant that they could not attend school. Using the engineering talent of himself and his students to bring clean drinking water to the village had a huge social benefit to the community. This comprehension of the larger meaning of engineering inspired Amadei to create a volunteer organization that could enable engineers to donate their services in this manner. From a small beginning with just a few students volunteering alongside him, the Engineers Without Borders-USA organization has grown to 15,900 members in 400 chapters. Humanitarian aid has been provided in 48 countries, benefiting more than 600,000 people.
The 13th Annual Heinz Award in the Environment, 2007
2008, Elected member of the National Academy of Engineering for "the creation of Engineers Without Borders, leadership in sustainable development education, and research on geomechanics."
2009 Award of Excellence from Engineering News-Record for founding Engineers Without Borders.
