Matthew Clontz

Matthew Clontz serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University, joining after extensive industry experience in automotive/industrial equipment sectors and over six years as adjunct faculty in community colleges.

His educational background:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Dr. Clontz's research centers on dynamic systems and vibrations with specialized focus on mountain bike dynamics, involving modeling, testing, and validation through academic-industry collaborations that leverage his industrial expertise. His teaching spans classical mechanics domains including statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, vibrations, and control systems, alongside engineering design, economics, and technical writing.

He actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students in research projects while expanding his mountain bike dynamics portfolio through partnerships. Though specific laboratory infrastructure isn't detailed, his methodology emphasizes experimental validation and computational modeling for bicycle performance analysis.