/College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Department of Civil Engineering

Re-Engineering the Future: Paolo Celli Promoted to Associate Professor

Paolo Celli headshotSTONY BROOK, NY -- The Department of Civil Engineering in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at Stony Brook University is proud to announce the promotion of Paolo Celli to Associate Professor.

Since joining Stony Brook in 2020, Paolo Celli has directed the Dynamic Structures Lab, where his research explores unconventional structural systems that are not yet common in civil engineering. Rather than designing static, rigid structures, Celli's team creates adaptable, shape-morphing systems that dynamically respond to their environments.

His multidisciplinary work bridges fundamental mechanics with real-world applications, including:

  • Shape-Morphing Structures: Structures engineered to change geometry on demand.
  • Subterranean Robotics: Structures for bio-inspired, underground burrowing robots funded by ARPA-E and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
  • Energy Infrastructure: Flexible structural designs for marine energy harvesting, supported by the Department of Energy.

Paolo Celli completed his postdoctoral research at Caltech after earning his PhD at the University of Minnesota and degrees in Italy from Politecnico di Torino and Università Politecnica delle Marche.

Beyond research, Celli is committed to hands-on mentorship at every stage of education. His lab provides research opportunities to high school interns, undergraduate scholars, and doctoral candidates alike, recently celebrating its first PhD graduates. As Associate Professor, Paolo Celli will continue to explore the fascinating mechanics of morphing systems, and their interactions with ever more complex environments.

At a Glance:

  • Role: Associate Professor, Civil Engineering
  • Lab: Director, Dynamic Structures Lab (est. 2020)
  • Focus: Shape-morphing metamaterials and structures, dynamic structures, structures for robots and energy applications