Risk Engineer at Freelancer (beside a job in industry), Germany
Dr. Mathias Raschke is an accomplished civil and structural engineer with extensive expertise in natural catastrophe (NatCat) modeling, risk assessment, and model development. With a Ph.D. from Bauhaus University Weimar, he has developed and validated earthquake, storm, and flood risk models across Europe, Africa, and Australia. His work spans academic research, reinsurance analytics, and commercial software development, including the creation of QuakeRisk. Dr. Raschke is highly skilled in stochastic modeling, statistical analysis, and the application of leading industry tools like RMS and AIR. He is an active member of several professional societies, including the German Society for Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, and contributes to innovation in both NatCat and emerging risk domains like cyber and credit modeling.
Academic Profile
SCOPUS
ORCID
Education
Dr. Mathias Raschke holds a Doctorate in Civil/Structural Engineering (Dr.-Ing.) from Bauhaus University Weimar, awarded in December 2003. His Ph.D. research focused on the correlation between earthquake intensity and building damage, and its application in seismic risk analysis, earning the distinction magna cum laude. Prior to that, he completed his Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.) in Civil Engineering at Bauhaus University Weimar between 1993 and 1997, with a diploma thesis examining challenges in earthquake-resistant construction using traditional building methods in Central Asia. He began his academic journey with a pre-diploma in Construction Informatics from HAB (now Bauhaus University) from 1989 to 1992, where he concentrated on software development for the construction and civil engineering industries. His academic training combines a strong foundation in engineering, informatics, and risk modeling—laying the groundwork for his interdisciplinary expertise in natural catastrophe modeling.
Experience
Dr. Mathias Raschke is a seasoned expert in natural catastrophe (NatCat) modeling, with decades of experience across academia, reinsurance, and independent consultancy. Since 2003, he has worked as an independent scientist and freelancer, focusing on the development and distribution of QuakeRisk—a custom earthquake risk model and software—and publishing research on advanced modeling techniques in stochastic, actuarial, and geoscience journals. Most recently, he served as a NatCat Analyst and Director at Howden Re, and previously at Ecclesia Re, where he led the modeling and validation of German NatCat portfolios, as well as actuarial modeling in emerging areas like cyber, credit, and bond risks. Prior to that, he worked as a Senior Consultant and Modeler at R+V Re, contributing to AIR-based modeling and validation of catastrophe portfolios across multiple countries and perils. Dr. Raschke also has a strong academic and research background, having held senior scientist roles at ETH Zurich and IWSÖ Weimar, where he led projects on infrastructure vulnerability and flood risk under EU-funded initiatives. His early career includes a scientific appointment at Bauhaus University Weimar, where he conducted research on earthquake hazard and vulnerability, including field missions. With deep expertise in hazard, vulnerability, and financial modeling components, and hands-on experience with commercial platforms like RMS and AIR, Dr. Raschke is recognized for his innovative problem-solving, technical rigor, and cross-disciplinary insights into catastrophe risk.
Research Interests
Dr. Mathias Raschke’s research interests lie at the intersection of natural catastrophe (NatCat) modeling, risk assessment, and engineering-based hazard analysis. He is particularly focused on the development and validation of probabilistic and stochastic models for perils such as earthquakes, floods, and storms, integrating physical hazard data with statistical and actuarial approaches. His work encompasses all components of catastrophe modeling—from hazard characterization and vulnerability assessment to financial impact analysis—aiming to enhance both scientific understanding and practical applications in insurance and risk management. In recent years, he has expanded his interests to include emerging risks such as cyber threats and credit & bond modeling. He is also dedicated to advancing novel computational methods, such as integral-differential interpolation and combined return period modeling, and applying GIS and software development tools for spatial and systemic risk modeling. His research reflects a strong commitment to bridging engineering science with real-world solutions for disaster resilience and insurance risk evaluation.
Publications 📚
Modelling maximum cyber incident losses of German organisations: an empirical study and modified extreme value distribution approach
Integral-Differential Interpolation of Grid Cell Information
Spatiality in Hazard Models for European Windstorms
About the return period of a catastrophe
Conclusion
Dr. Mathias Raschke stands out as an eminent candidate for the Outstanding Contribution Award owing to his innovative research, technological leadership, and broad societal impact in natural catastrophe modeling. His body of work not only advances academic science but also fortifies global resilience to disaster risks, fulfilling the very spirit of this prestigious honor.