Dr. Lucia Stein Montalvo

Biography

Lucia Stein-Montalvo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northwestern University. Her research focuses on mechanics of shape-shifting materials, which allows structures to change their configuration in response to environmental stimuli. This work bridges fundamental investigations into nonlinear deformations and instabilities in structures with applied outcomes, exploring the mechanics behind designing adaptive architectural solutions that can regulate factors such as airflow, light, and temperature in urban spaces. Her research is driven by experiments and supported by simulations and mathematical modeling, with the overarching goal of enabling self-regulating, sustainable, life-like built environments capable of adapting to the effects of climate change and urbanization. Dr. Stein-Montalvo completed her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Boston University, where she also earned her M.S. degree. She was a Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Princeton University prior to joining Northwestern.

Research Interests

Experience