Dirk M. Luchtenburg is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at The Cooper Union. His research focuses on the mathematical modeling, analysis, and control of dynamical systems, with contributions spanning nonlinear dynamics, reduced-order modeling, fluid mechanics, and feedback control.

His work combines mathematical analysis, computational methods, and physical experimentation to understand, predict, and control complex dynamical behavior. His research has addressed reduced-order modeling and identification of fluid flows, uncertainty propagation, and feedback control of physical systems. His current investigations focus on geometric methods for nonlinear dynamics and the control of transport in dynamical systems, including applications in astrodynamics.
At The Cooper Union, he leads the Dynamics and Control Laboratory, where mathematical models and feedback control methods are investigated through experimental platforms, including autonomous aerial vehicles. The laboratory provides opportunities for undergraduate and master’s students to participate in research combining theory, computation, and experimentation.

Luchtenburg received his master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Delft University of Technology and his PhD in fluid mechanics from Technische Universität Berlin. Before joining the faculty of The Cooper Union, he held postdoctoral research and teaching appointments at Princeton University.