Matthew Reichenbach, PhD
When Matthew Reichenbach, PhD, joined the College of Engineering as an
assistant teaching professor in 2021, he brought with him a passion for
civil engineering and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of
engineers.
"Like many engineering professionals, I always excelled in my math and
science classes in grade school," Reichenbach shared. "Civil
engineering, in particular, allows individuals to apply those math and
science skills for the betterment of society and our infrastructure."
Reichenbach earned his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, where
his research focused on improving the design, analysis, and detailing
procedures of steel bridges. At Drexel, he teaches a wide range of
structural engineering courses, from First-Year Engineering Design to
Advanced Steel Design. But his involvement with students extends far
beyond the classroom.
As the faculty advisor for the Drexel Architectural Engineering
Institute (AEI) club and the Drexel Student Steel Bridge Competition
(SSBC) team, Reichenbach guides students through the structural design
and fabrication process in an engaging and competitive environment.
"Advising the SSBC team is undoubtedly my favorite role in this
position," he said. "Guiding students through the structural design and
fabrication process in a fun, interactive, and competitive way is very
fulfilling to me personally."
Looking to the future, Reichenbach emphasizes the critical role that
engineers play in society. "I think the role and impact of structural
engineers in society remains the same after all these years. We still
shoulder the heavy burden of life safety for any and all users of civil
infrastructure – buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc.," he said. "The
advancement of technology might influence how we reach the final
solution, but the final solution and the goal remains unchanged."
Reichenbach hopes to continue integrating modern technologies like
Building Information Modeling (BIM) and computer analysis into his
teaching while still emphasizing the fundamental principles of materials
and mechanics. "As an educator and a licensed engineer myself, I feel
obligated to prepare the students for the new and the old," he
explained.
When asked about his experience at Drexel, Reichenbach's enthusiasm was
evident. "Simply put, being a part of the Drexel and CAEE family has
been a wonderful experience for me. Drexel consists of highly motivated
students that are eager to take what they learn in the classroom and
apply it to their co-op experiences. As an educator and researcher, it
is very rewarding to mentor young engineers of this caliber."