Thomas R Powers

Thomas R Powers is a Professor of Engineering and Professor of Physics at Brown University. He joined Brown in 2000 as the first holder of the James R. Rice Term Chair in Solid Mechanics and has been an influential figure in soft matter physics, biomechanics, and microorganism locomotion.

• PhD in Physics, University of Pennsylvania (1995)
• BS in Physics and Mathematics, MIT (1989)

His research focuses on soft matter systems, including colloidal and lipid bilayer membranes, liquid crystals, and active matter, with an emphasis on low-Reynolds-number hydrodynamics and geometric mechanics. His work has been supported by NSF grants, including collaborations with Brandeis University's bioinspired materials center.

Recent publications explore microbial flagellar dynamics (e.g., Giardia lamblia), chiral membrane behavior, and active gel responses to shear. Key keywords include soft matter, active matter, fluid mechanics, and microscale locomotion.

Scientific honors include:

• Fellow, American Physical Society
• NSF CAREER Award (2001-2006)
• T. Francis Ogilvie Young Investigator Lectureship, MIT Ocean Engineering

He has advised numerous students through courses like ENGN 2912F (Soft Matter) and ENGN 1210 (Biomechanics), while leading funded research on colloidal membranes and viscoelastic fluid interactions.