Anne Staples

Anne Staples is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech, leading the Laboratory for Fluid Dynamics in Nature (FINLAB). Her research focuses on fluid mechanics in biological systems, medical fluid dynamics, and bioinspired engineering, leveraging computational modeling and microfluidic technologies to innovate in healthcare and engineering.

Education:

• B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University (2000)
• M.Eng. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University (2001)
• Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University (2006)
• Postdoctoral Researcher at the Naval Research Laboratory (2006–2008)

Research Interests: Her work spans bioinspired microfluidics, medical device design, and fluid dynamics in biological systems. Notable projects include developing pulse-driven micropumps for drug delivery and studying insect respiratory systems to inform engineering solutions.

Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on topics like microfluidic systems, insect-inspired flow control, and hemodialyzer modeling. Recent work emphasizes wearable drug delivery and biomechanical innovations.

Awards & Service:

• NIH Trailblazer Award (2024)
• Virginia Tech Dean’s Fellow (2023–present)
• Editorial Board Member, PLOS ONE and Scientific Reports (2021–present)
• Fulbright Scholar (2016)

Grants & Collaborations: Leads a NIH-funded project to develop lightweight drug delivery devices. Collaborates with statisticians and biomedical engineers to simulate and optimize prototypes. Active in interdisciplinary teams at Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.

Labs & Teams: Directs the FINLAB, which integrates computational modeling, experimental microfluidics, and biological principles to address challenges in healthcare and environmental engineering.