About Us

The Research Group

Our research group at Virginia Tech is focused on bringing new ideas, analysis tools, and design approaches to the engineering profession. We are a multi-disciplinary bunch, with expertise in computational simulation of structural components and systems, stability and strength of thin-walled structures, structural optimization, engineering mechanics, and experimental testing. We have a broad range of interests - from cold-formed steel to ultra high-performance concrete, and from pre-manufactured metal buildings to cable-stayed bridges. We respect engineering history, and use it as a guiding light in our research. We are an open-minded group, and are always looking for opportunities to work with researchers and practitioners on life's difficult engineering problems. Please feel free to poke around our website, and don't hesitate to contact us!

Dr. Cris Moen

My path into academia started with a rewarding career in bridge design (J. Muller International and then Parsons Corporation), followed by a right hand turn into structural stability and thin-walled structures at Johns Hopkins University. I credit my passion for life to my parents Dennis and Nancy and my wife Stela. My interest in engineering design and research was catalzyed by a few special mentors: Dr. Paul Gauvreau at the University of Toronto, Dr. Ben Schafer at Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. Sanjay Arwade at the University of Massuchsetts-Amherst. My CV and dissertation are provided below. Hopefully this fills in the blanks!

My Curriculum Vitae (updated 9/10/2011)
My Dissertation

Cris and Stela at Humpy's Great Alaskan Ale House in Anchorage, Alaska.