Drexel Engineering Welcomes Four New Faculty

Four new faculty members are bringing their expertise to Drexel Engineering this fall.

Divya Bhargava, PhD, assistant teaching professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics, completed her doctoral work in aeronautical and astronautical engineering at Purdue University. She also carries a master’s degree from Purdue and a bachelor’s degree from SRM University in India.

Bhargava’s research focus is on improving airport safety by identifying and eliminating the causes of runway incursions. Incursions happen when unauthorized vehicles, aircraft or people are on a protected surface designated for takeoffs and landings. In 2019, Bhargava completed a study to determine if the reporting mechanisms for runway incursions were doing enough to help build knowledge to prevent them.

Mohammad Fanaei, PhD, assistant teaching professor of engineering technology, earned a PhD in electrical engineering from West Virginia University and holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree from Isfahan University of Technology in Iran. He joins Drexel after holding teaching positions at the University of Detroit Mercy and Bucknell University.

Fanaei’s research interests are in the areas of wireless communication systems and sensor networks, as well as the design, analysis and evaluation of machine learning and deep learning technologies enabling connected, automated and autonomous driving systems.

Euisun Kim, PhD, assistant teaching professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics, joins Drexel after completing her doctoral studies at Georgia Institute of Technology. She earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the same institution and holds a bachelor’s degree from Handong Global University in South Korea.

Kim studies the intersection of robotics and rehabilitation. Her doctoral thesis investigated how systems used to help stroke patients regain motor function could be automated to yield more consistent results.

Matthew Reichenbach, PhD, assistant teaching professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering, comes to Drexel from the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his doctoral and master’s degrees in structural engineering. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College.

Reichenbach has extensive research experience in bridge safety. He has completed projects for the Texas Department of Transportation and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program on the fabrication of materials for steel bridges, on design guidelines and on structural monitoring.

Watch for more in-depth stories about these new faculty members this Fall term.