In 2020, he has been awarded the prestigious Humboldt Research Award from the Alexander
von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, one the world's most prestigious research awards across all
scientific disciplines. The Award is given to outstandingly qualified researchers and future
leaders from science-related fields (but very seldom awarded to engineers!). The Award is
granted in recognition of a researcher's entire achievements to date, to academics whose
fundamental discoveries, new theories, or insights have had a significant impact on their own
discipline and who are expected to continue producing cutting-edge achievements in the
future. Professor Zio has been selected for the Award in light of being a World leading
scientist in Risk and Resilience Assessment, Safety Analysis and Reliability Engineering of
complex systems and infrastructures, in particular for energy applications. His H-index is 72.
He has been one of the pioneers in using artificial intelligence (such as neural networks) and
genetic algorithms in reliability engineering and risk assessment, solving key problems related
to the safety and reliability of critical systems such as those used in the nuclear, oil and gas,
transportation industries. He has promoted the use of computational modeling within various
international initiatives.