Jean Potvin

Jean Potvin is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Saint Louis University (College of Arts and Sciences). His career spans both parachute physics and comparative biomechanics of marine vertebrates.

• Ph.D. in Physics, University of Colorado-Boulder (1985)
• FAA Senior Parachute Rigger (1999-)
• Co-founder, Parks College Parachute Research Group
• Chair, AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Committee (2013-2015)

Research Interests:
• Parachute Aerodynamics: Inflation dynamics, opening shock, geometric porosity, cargo delivery systems
• Cetacean Biomechanics: Lunge feeding mechanics, baleen filtration, drag production in swimming vertebrates

Scientific Trends:
His 15 most recent publications focus on rorqual whale feeding kinematics (2019-2024) and parachute inflation physics (2019-2024). Articles reveal interdisciplinary work connecting unsteady fluid dynamics with biological filtration systems, showing applications of Momentum-Impulse Theorem across both domains.

Awards:

• Associate Fellow, American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) - 2009

Key Collaborations:
• With J. Goldbogen on whale feeding energetics
• With A. Werth on baleen hydrodynamics
• With M. McQuilling on CFD parachute simulations
• With P. Segre on marine mammal kinematic scaling