Joseph
Mahoney
Ph.D.
John R. Post School of Engineering
Chair of John R. Post School of Engineering, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
- John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne #27
- 484-254-2135
Biography
I am the Inaugural Chair of the John R. Post School of Engineering at °µÍøÊÓÆµ, where I lead the development and growth of engineering education in Berks County. I oversee four programs: Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering and Industrial Engineering Technology and Management. My responsibilities include designing and launching new undergraduate and graduate programs, guiding programs through ABET accreditation, and creating advanced laboratory spaces that support hands-on learning and cutting-edge research. I also cultivate strong relationships with industry partners to bring real-world engineering projects and internship opportunities to our students.
Building a diverse and innovative faculty team and delivering courses that prepare students for success in today’s rapidly evolving engineering field are central to my work. Beyond the School of Engineering, I serve as Chair of Academic Standards and lead several faculty search committees. I am a member of the Salary and Benefits Committee and the Faculty Grievance Review Committee, contributing to university-wide governance and faculty advocacy.
I am a strong advocate for undergraduate research and have mentored dozens of summer students from both engineering and kinesiology disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary learning and professional growth.
As an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, I teach courses such as engineering design, statics, and computer programming, emphasizing active learning and practical problem solving. My research focuses on the intersection of biomechanics and machine learning, developing cost-effective tools for data collection and analysis to address complex challenges in human movement and time-series data interpretation. This work, which has recently attracted attention beyond academic circles, has direct applications in injury prevention and health technology.
Previously, I contributed to launching the first four-year Mechanical Engineering degree at Penn State Berks, and served as a University Faculty Senator and Chair of the Academic Integrity Committee. These leadership roles strengthened my commitment to academic excellence and institutional collaboration.
I hold a Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Pennsylvania State University, along with M.S. and B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering, supported by minors in Mathematics and Engineering Mechanics. I am a certified Engineer in Training, bringing technical expertise and leadership experience to every project and partnership.
• Ph.D. Engineering Science and Mechanics - Penn State University
• MS Mechanical Engineering - Penn State University
• BS Mechanical Engineering - Penn State University
• EGR 111: Engineering Design I Project Course (F24)
• EGR 201: Engineering Statics (F22, F23, F24)
• EGR 210: Engineering Design II (S23, S24, S25)
• EGR 211: Engineering Design II Project Course (F24)
• EGR 260: Undergraduate Engineering Colloquium (F24, F25)
• EGR 310: Engineering Design III (S24, S25)
• EGR 480: Engineering Capstone I (F24, F25)
• EGR 481: Engineering Capstone II (S25)
• EGR 485: Engineering Internship or Research Experience (S25, Su25, F25)
• MAT 345: Applied Probability and Linear Methods (F23, F24, F25)
• ME 201: Strength of Materials (S23, S24, S25)
• ME 271L: Strength of Materials Lab (S24, S25)
• ME 211: Thermodynamics (S23, S24)
• PHY 200L: Physics I Lab (F22)
• Biomechanics of running and gait (including stroller running)
• Wearable sensors and inertial measurement units for motion analysis
• Applied machine learning for biomechanics and time series data
• Low-cost experimental instrumentation and measurement methods
Research article published in the Washington Post and Newsweek, and on the Conversation:
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• American Society of Biomechanics (ASB)
• IISE
Engineer in Training (EIT), Pennsylvania (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2008)