Ann Sychterz

Ann Sychterz is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department. She leads the SMARTI Lab, focusing on adaptive structures, tensegrity systems, and machine learning for civil infrastructure. Her research integrates computational design with experimental validation to create deployable systems for climate resilience.

• PhD, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (2018)
• M.A.Sc, University of Waterloo (2014)
• B.A.Sc, University of Waterloo (2012)

Her research interests span structural dynamics, form-finding, machine learning, and adaptive infrastructure. Recent work involves MLRAM materials for tensegrity structures, origami-based coastal anchors, and sensor-actuator optimization. 2024-2025 highlights include a Visiting Professorship at University of Stuttgart and SEAOI Outstanding Young Engineer Award.

Key trends across her 2023-2025 publications include:

• Advancements in tensegrity and origami structural modeling
• Integration of machine learning for damage detection
• Functionally graded materials for geotechnical applications
• Experimental validation of full-scale deployable systems

Scientific recognition includes:

• ASCE SEI Future Leaders Award (2024)
• Best Paper/Poster Awards (2021-2025)
• NSERC and Ontario Graduate Scholarships
• Leadership roles in ASCE Technical Committees

She advises PhD students in structural control, oversees the SMARTI Lab, and collaborates with the Beckman Institute and National Center for Supercomputing Applications. Her work addresses climate-driven infrastructure challenges through deployable, biomimetic designs.