Haibo Dong

Haibo Dong is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia. He has been at UVA since 2012 after serving as an Associate Professor at Wright State University. His research spans fluid dynamics, bio-inspired systems, and morphing structures, with a focus on computational modeling of biological and robotic locomotion.

• B.S., Chengdu University of Science and Technology
• M.S., University of Science and Technology of China
• Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles (2003)

His work in fluid dynamics explores vortex dynamics, wake-body interactions, and bio-inspired propulsion mechanisms through computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Recent publications highlight applications in robotic fish, flying snakes, and biomedical flow modeling.

The 15 most recent articles (2025–2024) demonstrate a trend toward understanding schooling behavior, flexible propulsors, and multi-physics interactions in biological and robotic systems. Key subfields include fish school hydrodynamics, aerial undulation, bio-robotic simulations, and clinical flow analysis.

• AIAA Zarem Educator Award (2016)
• APS/DFD Best Video Award (2015)
• NSF CAREER Grant (2011)

He teaches core courses like Computational Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics and leads the Flow Simulation Research Group (FSRG) in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Building, Room 348.