Melissa Frey

Dr. Frey specializes in civil engineering design, analysis, and construction. She has particular expertise in the analysis and characterization of novel materials for pavements and buildings. In particular, Dr. Frey has specialized expertise in experimental design and laboratory testing of civil engineering materials and novel materials inspired by nature ("bio-inspired" materials) which are intended as sustainable, low-carbon alternatives to conventional construction materials. She has professional experience in quality assurance material testing, inspecting the installation of construction components to ensure conformance to engineered design and applicable code, and analyzing construction defects related to building envelope performance.

Dr. Frey's dissertation evaluated biologically-produced polymers (known as biopolymers) for use as material alternatives for conventional asphalt pavements which rely on petroleum-based binding agents. Through this research, she established a collaboration with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to perform material characterization in the Bituminous Materials Laboratory, which is part of CDOT's Asphalt Pavement Program. Dr. Frey conducted mechanical, rheological, spectroscopy, and microscopy characterization using load frame systems, dynamic shear rheometry, fourier transform infrared testing (FTIR), and X-ray computed tomography (XCT), respectively. Additionally, her work modeled and characterized the hygrothermal and diffusion behavior of biopolymer materials and composites.

During her graduate studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Frey was a teaching assistant for undergraduate courses including building systems and materials and structural analysis. Prior to her graduate studies, Dr. Frey worked as an intern in design and field engineering positions for private and government operated engineering firms in Alaska, Colorado, and California. She has professional experience in arctic engineering, highway and road design, and conducting forensic field investigations related to building enclosures, water resistive barriers, flooring, and cladding.