Assistant Professor Amy Engelbrecht-Wiggans, a distinguished member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), passed away unexpectedly in New York. Her untimely death has left a profound void in the academic and research communities.
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Dr. Engelbrecht-Wiggans earned her Bachelor of Science in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Illinois in 2011. She joined RIT as an assistant professor, where her research focused on the mechanics of materials, particularly the behavior of fiber composites under various environmental conditions.
One of her notable contributions includes the study “Effect of Elevated Temperature and Humidity on Fibers Based on 5-Amino-2-(p-Aminophenyl)Benzimidazole,” which examined how environmental factors influence the mechanical properties of aramid copolymer fibers. Additionally, she co-authored “Effect of Aging on Unidirectional Composite Laminate Polyethylene for Body Armor,” exploring the aging effects on materials used in protective gear.
Beyond her research, Dr. Engelbrecht-Wiggans was deeply committed to mentoring students and fostering a collaborative research environment. Her colleagues and students remember her for her dedication, expertise, and the genuine care she extended to everyone around her.
In the broader context of her family, her name appears alongside those of Beth Engelbrecht-Wiggans and Richard Engelbrecht-Wiggans in various programs and acknowledgments, highlighting a family deeply engaged in cultural and academic pursuits.
The news of her passing has elicited an outpouring of grief and tributes from colleagues, students, and peers worldwide. Her legacy will endure through her research contributions, the countless students she mentored, and the indelible mark she left on the RIT community and beyond.
