Cindy L. Menches

Cindy Menches is an Assistant Professor of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering department at Illinois Institute of Technology. Her two-pronged research approach focuses on damage assessment and hazard mitigation. Her damage assessment research focuses on the identification of similarities and differences in how damage assessment experts comprehend, and make decisions about, undamaged and damaged buildings. This research has led to the development of a preliminary cognitive-level theory of building damage decision-making that will aid in understanding the long-term impacts of such decisions on community recovery. Dr. Menches holds a BS degree in Civil Engineering-Building Science from the University of Southern California, an MS degree in Architectural Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, and a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to joining the faculty at The University of Texas, she spent nine years as a civil engineer/project manager in the U.S. Air Force followed by five years in private industry as a project manager.