Building Collapse experts

Construction engineering and demolition safety procedures

Dr. Robert Brehm is an associate teaching professor in the College of Engineering in the department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering. His background is in construction engineering, risk assessment, mitigation strategies and project management techniques and can comment on safety procedures during construction and demolition projects.

Structural design and failure analysis

Dr. Abi Aghayere is the senior associate dean for academic affairs in the Goodwin College of Professional Studies. He received his doctoral degree in civil engineering, and is an expert in structural testing and development of new structural systems and materials, non-destructive testing of structural elements, and sustainability.

Urban planning

Dr. Robert Stokes is an associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences and associate director of the Center for Public Policy at Drexel.  His research focuses on the areas of urban redevelopment, public safety planning, environmental sustainability planning and the public health impacts of mass transit.

Disaster prevention

Dr. Scott Knowles is an associate professor in the History & Politics Department of the College of Arts and Sciences. He is a historian of modern cities, technology, and public policy–with a particular focus on risk and disaster. His most recent book, The Disaster Experts: Mastering Risk in Modern America, was released in 2011 from the University of Pennsylvania Press.

Impact of disaster on first responders

Dr. Jennifer Taylor, an associate professor in the Drexel University School of Public Health, can discuss the emotional impact of search and rescue on first responders. Taylor, who performs research on occupational health and safety for firefighters, can discuss Stress First Aid and helping first responders dealing with the impact of seeing six civilian deaths at the collapse site. Read some ofTaylor's comments on this subject.