• BA, Physics, Connecticut College, 2015
• BA, Classical Languages, Connecticut College, 2015
• MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, 2017
• Ph D, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, 2020

Journal Articles

Ahmed Nirjhar Alam, Wesley Reinhart and Rebecca Napolitano, 2024, "Data-driven evaluation of building materials using Ground Penetrating Radar", Journal of Building Engineering, 95, pp. 110188

Daniele M.S. Paulino, Heather Ligler and Rebecca Napolitano, 2024, "On determining structural wall layout during the adaptive reuse process of historic masonry buildings", Journal of Building Engineering, 95, pp. 110178

Saanchi Kaushal, Mariantonieta Gutierrez Soto and Rebecca Napolitano, 2024, "Three-Dimensional Digital Documentation of Tornado-Damaged Heritage Buildings", Journal of Structural Engineering, 150, (10)

Borna R Farnod, Wesley Reinhart and Rebecca Napolitano, 2024, "Damage Localization using Differentiable Physics and Displacement-based Structural Identification.", Structures

Muhammad Rakeh Saleem, Robert Mayne and Rebecca Napolitano, 2024, "Evaluating Human Expert Knowledge in Damage Assessment Using Eye Tracking: A Disaster Case Study", Buildings, 14, (7), pp. 2114

Saanchi Kaushal, Mariantonieta Gutierrez Soto and Rebecca Napolitano, 2024, "Assessing the behavior of historic masonry buildings to tornadic events: A comparative study of code-based analysis and point cloud based simulation", Engineering Failure Analysis

Joe Kallas and Rebecca Napolitano, 2024, "Understanding Critical Masonry Building Attributes Shaping Vulnerability to Blast Loads: Data-Driven Insights from the 2020 Beirut Explosion"

Chien-fei Chen, Rebecca Napolitano, Yuqing Hu, Bandana Kar and Bing Yao, 2024, "Addressing machine learning bias to foster energy justice", Energy Research & Social Science

Danielle Paulino, Heather Ligler and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "A grammar-based approach for generating spatial layout solutions for the adaptive reuse of sobrado buildings", Buildings

Muhammad Rakeh Saleem, Robert Mayne and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "Analysis of gaze patterns during facade inspection to understand inspector sense-making processes", Nature Scientific Reports

Saanchi Kaushal, Mariantonieta Gutierrez Soto and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "Understanding the Performance of Historic Masonry Structures in Mayfield, KY after the 2021 Tornadoes.", Journal of Cultural Heritage

Borna Rahna Farnod, Wesley Reinhart and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "Displacement-Based Structural Identification Using Differentiable Physics", Engineering Structures

Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "Roadmap on Measurement Technologies for Next Generation Structural Health Monitoring Systems", Measurement, Science, and Technology

Joseph Kallas and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "Image-based 3D Modeling as a Damage Prioritization Tool for Historic Buildings in Post-Disaster Areas: The Case of the 2020 Beirut Blast", Journal of Cultural Heritage

Rebecca Napolitano, 2022, "Tools for the analysis of collection environments: Lessons learned and future development", Getty Conservation Institute, pp. 1-90

Rohola Rahnavard, Javad Shaikhi, Mohtaba Fathi and Rebecca Napolitano, 2021, "Numerical analysis of natural rubber bearing equipped with steel and shape memory alloys dampers", Thin-Walled Structures, 32, (4), pp. 1839-1855

Mitchell Hallee, Rebecca Napolitano, Wesley and Branko Glisic, 2021, "Crack detection in images of masonry using CNNs", Sensors, 21, (14), pp. 1-19

Rebecca Napolitano, Reinhart and Juan Pablo Gevaudan Burgos, 2021, "Smart cities built with smart materials", Science, 371, (6535), pp. 2

Rohola Rahnavard, Helder Craveiro, Laim, Luis, Simoes, Rui A and Rebecca Napolitano, 2021, "Numerical investigation on the composite action of cold-formed steel built-up battened columns", Thin-Walled Structures, 162, (1), pp. 1-27

Rebecca Napolitano, Michael Hess and Branko Glisic, 2020, "Quantifying the differences in documentation and modeling levels for building pathology and diagnostics", Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, 27, (4), pp. 1135-1152

Mohebollah Agah Nav, Rohola Rahnavard, A. Noorzad and Rebecca Napolitano, 2020, "Numerical evaluation of the behavior of ordinary and reinforced stone columns", Journal of Structures, 25, (1), pp. 481-490

Rohola Rahnavard, H. Craveiro and Rebecca Napolitano, 2020, "Static and dynamic stability analysis of a steel-rubber isolator with rubber cores", Journal of Structures, 26, (1), pp. 441-455

Rohola Rahnavard, Hesham Tuwair, Farhad Abbas Gandomkar and Rebecca Napolitano, 2020, "Investigating the effects of seismic isolators on steel asymmetric structures considering soil-structure interaction", Journal of Structures, 27, (1), pp. 1029-1040

Rohola Rahnavard, C. Rebelo, H. Craverio and Rebecca Napolitano, 2020, "Understanding the cyclic performance of composite steel-concrete connections on steel bridges", 224, (1), pp. 1-15

Rohola Rahnavard, C Rebelo and Rebecca Napolitano, 2020, "Numerical investigation of the cyclic performance of reinforced concrete frames equipped with a combination of a rubber core and a U-shaped metallic damper", Engineering Structures, 225, (1), pp. 1-17

Rohola Rahnavard, C Rebelo, H Craverio and Rebecca Napolitano, 2020, "Numerical study on the cyclic performance of composite steel-concrete connection of the pipe pile to cap beam in steel bridges", Journal of Structures, 224, (1), pp. 1-15

Rebecca Napolitano and Branko Glisic, 2020, "Hybrid physics-based modeling and data-driven method for diagnostics of masonry structures", Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 35, (5), pp. 1-12

Isabella Douglas, Rebecca Napolitano, Maria Garlock and Branko Glisic, 2020, "Cuba’s National School of Ballet: Redefining a structural icon", Engineering Structures, 204, (1), pp. 1-10

Rebecca Napolitano and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Understanding the function of bonding courses in masonry construction: An investigation with mixed numerical methods", Journal of Cultural Heritage, 39, (1), pp. 120-129

Rebecca Napolitano, Zachary Liu, Carl Sun and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Combination of image-based documentation and augmented reality for structural health monitoring and building pathology", Frontiers in Built Environment, 5, (50), pp. 1-14

Anna Blyth, Rebecca Napolitano and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Documentation, structural health monitoring and numerical modelling for damage assessment of the Morris Island Lighthouse", Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, 377, pp. 1-19

Rebecca Napolitano, Michael Hess and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Integrating non-destructive testing, laser scanning, and numerical modeling for damage assessment: the room of the elements", Heritage, 2, (1), pp. 151-168

Rebecca Napolitano and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Methodology for diagnosing crack patterns in masonry structures using photogrammetry and distinct element modeling", Engineering Structures, 181, (1), pp. 519-528

Rebecca Napolitano, Michael Hess and Branko Glisic, 2019, "The foundation walls of the Baptistery di San Giovanni: A combination of laser scanning and finite-distinct element modeling to ascertain damage origins", International Journal of Architectural Heritage, (13), pp. 1180-1193

Rebecca Napolitano, Catherine Jennings, Sophia Feist, Abigail Rettew, Grace Sommers, Hannah Smagh, Benjamin Hicks and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Tool development for digital reconstruction: A framework for a database of historic Roman construction materials", Journal of Cultural Heritage, 40, (1), pp. 113-123

Rebecca Napolitano, Anna Blyth and Branko Glisic, 2018, "Virtual environments for visualizing structural health monitoring sensor networks, data, and metadata", Sensors, 18, (1), pp. 1-14

Demi L Fang, Rebecca Napolitano, Tim L Michiels and Sigrid M Adriaenssens, 2018, "Assessing the stability of unreinforced masonry arches and vaults: A comparison of analytical and numerical strategies", International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 13, pp. 648-662

Rebecca Napolitano and Michael Monce, 2018, "Failure at Fidenae: Understanding the site of the largest structural disaster of the Roman world", Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 10, (1), pp. 1-10

Rebecca Napolitano and Branko Glisic, 2018, "Minimizing the adverse effects of bias and low repeatability precision in photogrammetry software through statistical analysis", Journal of Cultural Heritage, 31, (1), pp. 46-52

Rebecca Napolitano, George Scherer and Branko Glisic, 2018, "Virtual tours and informational modeling for conservation of cultural heritage sites", Journal of Cultural Heritage, 29, (1), pp. 123-129

Tim Michiels, Rebecca Napolitano, Sigrid Adriaenssens and Branko Glisic, 2017, "Comparison of thrust line analysis, limit state analysis and distinct element modeling to predict the collapse load and collapse mechanism of a rammed earth arch", Engineering Structures, 148, (1), pp. 145-156

Corrie Kavanaugh, Isabel Mae Morris, Rebecca Napolitano and Juan Jose Jorquera-Lucerga, 2017, "Validating the use of graphical thrust line analysis for pier buttresses: The case study of Amiens Cathedral", International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 11, (6), pp. 859-870

Rebecca Napolitano, Ryan L. Solnosky and Wesley Reinhart, , "Analyzing the Impact of Formal Assessment Modalities: A Comparative Study in Data Science for Engineering Education"

Conference Proceedings

Ryan L. Solnosky, Wesley Reinhart and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "WIP: Enhancing Workforce Development of Data Science Skills within Domain-Specific Programs"

Daniele Paulino, Kali Lewis, Heather Ligler and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "Automating the Adaptive Reuse of Cultural Heritage: A computational framework for reconfiguring historic masonry buildings.", Proceedings of the 41st Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe Conference

Joe Kallas and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "Automated Large-Scale Damage Detection on Historic Buildings in Post-Disaster Areas Using Image Segmentation.", Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., pp. 797–804

Daniele Paulino, Heather Ligler and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "Automating the Adaptive Reuse of Cultural Heritage: A Computational Framework for Reconfiguring Historic Masonry Buildings.", pp. 691-700

Saanchi Kaushal, Mariantonieta Gutierrez Soto and Rebecca Napolitano, 2023, "Structural Analysis of Post-Disaster Masonry Structures Modeled Using Cloud2FEM Software", The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 48, pp. 827-834

Danielle Paulino, Heather Ligler and Rebecca Napolitano, 2022, "A grammar-based strategy for adapting historic buildings into multi-family apartments: the case study of the historic center of São Luís", SIGRADI, pp. 347-358

Zahra Ghorbani, Rebecca Napolitano, Craig Dubler and John Messner, 2022, "Evaluating facility asset information needs in a common data environment to support maintenance workers", ASCE Construction

Danielle Paulino, Rebecca Napolitano, Heather Ligler, Klaudia Bak, Sierra Hogan and JTC Moreno, 2021, "A grammar-based methodology to support the adaptive reuse of historic buildings: The case study of the Sobrado building type.", Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 46, (1), pp. 515-521

Rakeh Saleem, Aaron Strauss and Rebecca Napolitano, 2021, "Interpretation of historic structure for non-invasive assessment using eye tracking", XLVI, (M), pp. 8

Rakeh Saleem and Rebecca Napolitano, 2021, "Eye tracking metrics in perception and visual attention research for human-infrastructure interaction", 1, (1), pp. 10

Rebecca Napolitano, Laura Lansing and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Understanding the function of roman bonding courses: A numerical approach", Springer Link, 18, pp. 1798-1806

Rebecca Napolitano, Zachary S. Liu, Anna C. Blyth, Ameen S. Moshirfar and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Virtual tours and augmented reality for direct data integration", International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), 1, pp. 2204-2213

Rebecca Napolitano, Michael Hess, Rachel Coe-Scharff and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Numerical modeling of crack propagation in masonry structures", Springer Link, 18, pp. 826-834

Isabella Douglas, Rebecca Napolitano, Maria Garlock and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Reconsidering the vaulted forms of Cuba’s National School of Ballet", Springer Link, 18, pp. 2150-2158

A Blyth, Rebecca Napolitano and B Glisic, 2019, "Structural health monitoring in workflows of preservation engineering", International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure, ISHMII, 1, pp. 639-645

Rebecca Napolitano, Wesley Reinhart, David W Sroczynski, Anna C Blyth and Branko Glisic, 2019, "Understanding cracks in historic structures: Quantitative assessment though numerical simulation and manifold learning", International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE)., 1, (1), pp. 2486-2492

S Shrestha, M Reina Ortiz, M Gutland, IM Morris, Rebecca Napolitano, M Santana Quintero, J Erochko and S Kawan, 2018, "Digital recording and non-destructive investigation of Nyatapola Temple after Gorkha Earthquake 2015", ICOMOS, New Delhi, India, 1, pp. 1-12

Rebecca Napolitano, Anna Blyth, George W Scherer and Branko G Glisic, 2018, "Spherical imaging and VR for conservation", Spherical imaging and VR for conservation, National Park Service, 1, pp. 1-6

Rebecca Napolitano, A Blyth and Branko Glisic, 2017, "Spherical imaging and virtual environments for structural health monitoring", International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure, ISHMII, Australia, 1, pp. 398-404

Rebecca Napolitano, Anna Blyth and Branko Glisic, 2017, "Virtual environments for structural health monitoring", DEStech Publications, Stanford, 1, pp. 1549-1555

Borna Farnod, Wesley Reinhart and Rebecca Napolitano, , "Towards damage detection using physics-based modeling and data-driven optimization"

Manuscripts

Rebecca Napolitano, Saanchi Kaushal, Muhammad Rakeh Saleem and Mariantonieta Gutierrez Soto, 2021, "StEER: 10 December 2021 midwest tornado outbreak joint preliminary virtual reconnaissance report and early access reconnaissance report"

Rebecca Napolitano and Wesley Reinhart, , "Third Party Vulnerability Assessment for Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico"

Other

Lara Maalouf, Jaqueline Zdebski, Karen Dedinsky, Joe Kallas and Rebecca Napolitano, 2024, "Post-Flood Reconnaissance Data in Montpelier and Barre, Vermont."

Muhammad Rakeh Saleem and Rebecca Napolitano, 2022, "An eye tracking dataset for building façade inspection"

•   - February 2025, "Supplement: INTERN DCL: RAPID: Examining the Performance of Historic Masonry Structures after the December 2021 Midwest Tornadoes.," (Sponsor: National Science Foundation).

•   - September 2025, "HDR DSC Supplemental Meeting," (Sponsor: National Science Foundation).

• April 2022 - February 2025, "RAPID: Examining the performance of historic masonry structures afterthe Midwest Tornados," (Sponsor: National Science Foundation).

•   - September 2025, "Supplement: Grade 6-12 Data Science Education:Collaborative Research: HDR DSC: Infusion of data science and computation into engineering curricula," (Sponsor: National Science Foundation).

• October 2021 - September 2025, "Development of Novel Corrosion-Responsive Buffer Materials for Long-Term Immobilization of High-Level Nuclear Waste," (Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy).

•   - February 2025, "REU: RAPID: Examining the Performance of Historic Masonry Structures after the December 2021 Midwest Tornadoes," (Sponsor: National Science Foundation).

• October 2021 - September 2024, "Collaborative Research: HDR DSC: Infusion of data science and computation into engineering curricula," (Sponsor: National Science Foundation).

• May 2023 - May 2024, "Fort Union Structural Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment," (Sponsor: Pennsylvania, University of).

• August 2022 - July 2024, "Educational Consortium for Energy-related Data Science & Computation in Building Engineering Programs," (Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy).

• October 2021 - September 2024, "EAGER: SAI: Collaborative Research: Bridging the Arctic: Community-Driven Innovation for Resilient Bridges in Rural Alaska Communities," (Sponsor: National Science Foundation).

•  2021 -  2022, "Enabling Energy-Efficient Building Envelopes: Artificial Intelligence for Nondestructive Evaluation," (Sponsor: IndustryXchange).

•   -  2022, "Combining Genetic Algorithms And Shape Grammars With Generative Adversarial Networks," (Sponsor: Stuckeman Center for Design Computing).

• June 2021 - May 2022, "Application of AI-enabled nondestructive evaluation for equitable access to safe infrastructure," (Sponsor: Oak Ridge Associated Universities).

• June 2021 - May 2022, "Application Of AI-enabled Nondestructive Evaluation For Equitable Access To Safe Infrastructure," (Sponsor: Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence Seed Funding).

• Student Scholar (Student: Lara Maalouf), Association of Preservation Technology, 2024

• Student Scholar (Student: Daniele Paulino), Association of Preservation Technology, 2024

• Graduate Student RAPID Scholar (Student: Lara Maalouf), Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure RAPID Center, 2024

• Gordon D. Kissinger Graduate Fellowships (Student: Daniele Paulino), PSU, 2023

• Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring Award of Editorial Excellence, International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure, 2023

• Student Leader Scholarship (Student: Daniele Paulino), PSU, 2023

• Student Documentation Competition (Student: Klaudia Bak), Association of Preservation Technology, 2023

• Objective Resilience Student Paper Competition, Second Place (Student: Saanchi Kaushal), Engineering Mechanics Institute, 2023

• Student Scholar (Student: Saanchi Kaushal), Association of Preservation Technology, 2023

• Student Scholar (Student: Daniele Paulino), Association of Preservation Technology, 2023

• DesignSafe Hackathon Winner (Student: Saanchi Kaushal), TACC Centre at UT Austin, 2022

• Gordon D. Kissinger Graduate Fellowships (Student: Saanchi Kaushal), PSU, 2022

• Gordon D. Kissinger Graduate Fellowships (Student: Daniele Paulino), PSU, 2022

• Borda Graduate Scholarship in Honor of Gifford H. Albright (Student: Saanchi Kaushal), PSU, 2022

• Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 2021

Service to Penn State:

• Assistance to Student Organizations, Mentor, Grad Women in Engineering, 2024

• Committee Work, Member, Artificial Intelligence In Architectural Engineering, December 2023

• Assistance to Student Organizations, Advisor, Nittany AI Alliance, January 2023 - August 2023

• Assistance to Student Organizations, Coordinator, Building Engineering—Seminal Undergraduate Research Experience (BESURE), August 2021

• Assistance to Student Organizations, Presenter, Grad Women in Engineering, October 2024

Service to External Organizations:

• Participation in Community Affairs, Co-Chairperson, Disaster Response Initiative, Association of Preservation Technology International, November 2024

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Co-Organizer, Engineering Education New Trends and Opportunities, Experiences, and AI (Annual Event), American Society for Civil Engineering, August 2024

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Reviewer, Objective Resilience Student Paper Competition, Engineering Mechanics Institute, 2024

• Organizing Conferences and Service on Conference Committees, Committee Member, Scientific Committee Member, International Conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions, 2024 - 2025

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Reviewer, Annual Conference Abstract Review, Association of Preservation Technology, 2024

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Member, Association of Preservation Technology Documentation Committee, July 2024

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Board Member, Vice Chair, ASCE, Education Committee, October 2024

• Organizing Conferences and Service on Conference Committees, Co-Organizer, Harnessing the Data Science Revolution Data Science Corps Meeting, National Science Foundation, 2023 - 2024

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Reviewer, Structural Health Monitoring and Control Student Paper Competition, Engineering Mechanics Institute, 2023

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Chairperson, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Climate Adaptation Working Group, September 2023

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Reviewer, Martin Weaver Scholarship Review Committee, Association of Preservation Technology, 2023

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Board Member, Vice President, International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage, 2023

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Co-Chairperson, Student Scholarship Committee, Association of Preservation Technology, 2023

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Member, ASCE, Structural Health Monitoring and Controls Committee, April 2022

• Participation in Community Affairs, Volunteer, Structural Extreme Events Reconnaissance, December 2021 - December 2021

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Co-Chairperson, CIPA HD Emerging Professionals, January 2018 - 2022