The Department of Civil Engineering in the College of Engineering is thrilled to welcome Morgan Broberg to its faculty team. Hailing from western New York, Broberg transitions to the U of A from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Broberg will be teaching structural engineering courses and is enthusiastic about the collaborative environment at the U of A. "I am excited about the opportunity to work with such a collaborative group of faculty and students," she said. "I'm also excited about working in the Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center."

Broberg's research focuses on steel-concrete composite systems designed to withstand extreme loads, including seismic activity, wind, earthquakes and explosive blasts. Her innovative work has contributed to the use of these composites in high-rise buildings like Rainer Square in Seattle, Washington, and 200 Park Ave. in San Jose, California.

Images courtesy of Google Streetview

From left: 200 Park Ave. in San Jose, California, and Rainier Square in Seattle, Washington.

Looking to the future, Broberg emphasizes the evolving challenges in civil engineering.

"Many big challenges will impact the future of civil engineering," she said. "Climate change and increasing global conflicts greatly impact the design and assessment of civil engineering structures. In turn, machine learning and artificial intelligence are appearing on the horizon with both opportunities and challenges for civil engineering."

She also highlights the importance of diversity in tackling these challenges. "As a faculty member, I believe every person brings a valuable and unique perspective to our community, and it is my responsibility to create a space where each person can learn, grow and develop," Broberg said. "Similarly, I want my students, the structural engineers of tomorrow, to appreciate diverse perspectives and consider them as they design and develop infrastructure."

The Civil Engineering Department is delighted to welcome Broberg to campus. She will officially begin her role on Aug. 12.