James Bird

James Bird, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and affiliated with Materials Science & Engineering at Boston University's College of Engineering. He serves as Director of Master’s Degree Programs in Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, particularly interfacial phenomena involving drops and bubbles, combining experimental and theoretical approaches. Key interests include healthcare, energy, and materials applications, such as droplet transfer in healthcare and boiling/condensation in energy systems.

Education: PhD from Harvard University in Fluid Dynamics. Research spans capillary dynamics, microfluidics, and electrohydrodynamics, with notable work on bubble dynamics, aerosol transport, and forensic fluid mechanics. His lab, the Fluid Lab, explores these topics through innovative experiments and models.

Honors include the 2014 NSF CAREER Award in Fluid Dynamics. His work bridges fundamental science and practical applications, addressing challenges in environmental science, biomedical engineering, and materials science.

Notable contributions include studies on bloodstain analysis for forensic reconstruction and the mechanics of aerosolized particles in marine environments. His research often integrates fluid dynamics with interdisciplinary fields, yielding insights into both natural and engineered systems.