Costas Synolakis is a globally recognized civil and environmental engineer specializing in tsunami science and natural disaster mitigation. A professor at the University of Southern California and the founding director of the USC Tsunami Research Center, he is best known for developing the MOST (Method of Splitting Tsunami) model, used worldwide for tsunami forecasting and early warning systems. Synolakis has led post-disaster field missions in Indonesia, Japan, Chile, and beyond, advancing global understanding of tsunami dynamics.

He is a key voice in assessing the threat posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a seismic fault off the Pacific Northwest coast capable of generating massive earthquakes and devastating tsunamis. His research and advocacy emphasize the urgent need for coastal preparedness, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure. Synolakis is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the recipient of the Sergey Soloviev Medal for his contributions to geophysical hazard mitigation.