Dr. Nicola Chiara specializes in the areas of risk and decision analysis, stochastic modeling and optimization of infrastructure systems. His research interests include investigation of risk mitigation instruments for infrastructure project finance; option theory and its application in complex infrastructure and engineering systems; risk assessment in asset management and project management of engineering systems; risk mitigation contracts in construction/project management.

Dr. Chiara is the executive Director of the Center of Global Infrastructure Evaluation & Risk Analysis at Columbia. Dr. Chiara has contributed to developing  the Risk Flexibility Theory and effective real option strategies to price and mitigate project risks.  

Dr. Chiara has been involved in several research projects on Energy, Transportation and Public Private Partnership. He is the leader of an international academic network that promotes PPP solutions in developed and developing countries. Dr. Chiara has a decade-long experience in design and project management of heavy civil construction projects.

Dr. Chiara received his PhD from Columbia University and holds a higher degree in Quantitative Finance and Risk Management.  Dr. Chiara serves on the Editorial Board of the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.