Daniel Floryan

Dr. Daniel Floryan is the Kalsi Assistant Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Houston, affiliated with the College of Engineering. His research focuses on fluid mechanics, nonlinear dynamics, bio-inspired flows, applied mathematics, and scientific machine learning. He holds a PhD from Princeton University (2019) and undergraduate degrees from Cornell University (BS and BA).

Key research interests include turbulence dynamics, flow control, and optimization of swimming and flying systems. His work bridges experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches. Recent studies explore particle dynamics in Rayleigh-Bénard convection, energy-efficient propulsion, and data-driven modeling of fluid systems.

Notable awards include the Teaching Excellence Award (2024), Thomas J. R. Hughes Fellowship (2021), and the Sibley Prize (2014). He teaches courses on fluid mechanics and machine learning applications in fluids. His lab (FLO Lab) investigates fluid-thermal interactions and bio-inspired locomotion, emphasizing practical innovations in propulsion and energy systems.

Publications span over a decade, addressing topics like flexible foil propulsion, turbulence structure decomposition, and optimal swimming gaits. Collaborations with industry and academic partners drive applied fluid dynamics research with real-world impact.