This fall, we are excited to welcome several new full-time faculty members to The Cooper Union’s academic programs. As part of a new series introducing this faculty cohort to our wider community, we spoke to Jeong Eun Ahn who joins the Albert Nerken School of Engineering as assistant professor in civil engineering. Ahn earned her Ph.D. in civil engineering from New York University Tandon School of Engineering. Prior to her appointment at Cooper, she was an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rowan University.

Tell us about your research interests.

My overarching research objective is to improve the sustainability and resilience of communities by advancing adaptation, planning, and mitigation efforts in response to emerging threats, including climate change and extreme weather events. I am currently interested in the following topics:

1. Improving the nowcasting and forecasting of urban floods, enabling better preparedness and response measures; 
2. Assessing flood vulnerability by considering not only the physical impacts of floods, such as inundation areas and water elevations, but also integrating social and economic factors into the assessment; and 
3. Investigating the dynamics and potential consequences of particle transport and mixing in coastal environments. 

What brought you to The Cooper Union?

I have great respect for Cooper’s rich history and mission. I was drawn to the college’s commitment to a free center of learning that welcomes talented and diverse students. Moreover, Cooper’s profound dedication to providing engaging and rigorous educational programs for preparing students to excel as accomplished experts and leaders deeply resonated with me. I believe these endeavors have positive and transformative impacts on society.

What aspects of teaching are you most excited about in the coming academic year at Cooper?

I am most excited about the prospect of working closely with our students and engaging with them in a collaborative, dynamic, and interactive learning environment. Additionally, I am thrilled about working with our students to explore and formulate innovative solutions for emerging challenges, including but not limited to extreme weather events, temperature changes, and sea level rise. Additionally, I look forward to working together to leverage diverse perspectives and expertise across various disciplines.