Lucia Stein-Montalvo

The aim of my research is to understand and apply the mechanics of shape-shifting — that is, compelling structures to adopt a different configuration on demand, or in response to a stimulus — for designs that can make the places we live more resilient to the effects of climate change and urbanization. My work spans from fundamental investigations of how slender structures undergo large deformations and instabilities, to applied questions, e.g., how can we design buckling structures to tune ventilation, or modulate shading? My research is experimentally-driven, and informed by simulations and mathematical modeling. Currently, I am a Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Princeton University, in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Beginning January 2025, I will be an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Engineering at Northwestern University (more information soon!) I hold a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University, and a B.S. in Mathemat

The aim of my research is to understand and apply the mechanics of shape-shifting — that is, compelling structures to adopt a different configuration on demand, or in response to a stimulus — for designs that can make the places we live more resilient to the effects of climate change and urbanization. My work spans from fundamental investigations of how slender structures undergo large deformations and instabilities, to applied questions, e.g., how can we design buckling structures to tune ventilation, or modulate shading? My research is experimentally-driven, and informed by simulations and m