Assoc Prof Daniel T.H. New is an Associate Professor at the Division of Aerospace Engineering, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. His academic journey includes a B.Eng. (Honors) and PhD from the National University of Singapore (NUS), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Texas, Arlington, and a Lecturer role at the University of Liverpool. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, jet-in-crossflow phenomena, vortex dynamics, and flow control strategies, supported by agencies like MINDEF, DSO, and industry partners. Education: B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering, NUS (1998) PhD in Fluid Dynamics, NUS (2004) His research interests span jet mixing enhancement , bio-inspired flow control , and high-speed aerodynamics . Current projects include vortex-ring collision dynamics, jet-cylinder impingement, and tandem jets-in-crossflow analysis. He has contributed to defense-related research and holds grants from multiple national and industrial sponsors. Teaching responsibilities include courses like Aerodynamics I and Engineering Fluid Mechanics . His lab focuses on experimental fluid dynamics using facilities like low-speed water tunnels.
Karen Mulleners is an Associate Professor at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Engineering (STI), the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IGM), and the UNFOLD Laboratory (Laboratoire de diagnostic des écoulements instationnaires). She also serves in the SGM-ENS teaching department and is a member of the EDEY-GE doctoral program commission. Her research focuses on experimental fluid dynamics, particularly unsteady flow phenomena and vortex dynamics. Professor Mulleners specializes in the intersection of fluid dynamics and bio-inspired engineering, with research interests including: Unsteady vortex-dominated flow phenomena Fluid-structure interaction in flexible systems Experimental methods for flow visualization and measurement Application of fluid dynamics principles to bio-inspired robotics Aerodynamic performance optimization of wind turbine systems Vortex dynamics in flapping and rotating wing systems Her recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate a strong experimental focus on understanding complex fluid phenomena, particularly in bio-inspired robotics and renewable energy applications. Mulleners' work consistently addresses fundamental questions about vortex formation, flow control, and fluid-structure interactions, with significant contributions to understanding dynamic stall in wind turbines and undulatory swimming mechanics. Her research group employs advanced diagnostic techniques to study unsteady flows, often bridging engineering and biological principles. Professor Mulleners actively supervises PhD students and has directed multiple EPFL theses. Her teaching responsibilities include courses on Measurement Techniques and Aerodynamics, where she imparts knowledge on experimental methods for observing and measuring physical variables such as force, resistance, temperature, flow velocity, and structural deformation. The UNFOLD Laboratory, which Professor Mulleners leads, focuses on diagnostic techniques for unsteady flow phenomena, employing advanced experimental methods including flow visualization, particle image velocimetry, and force measurement systems to study complex fluid dynamics problems with applications in renewable energy and bio-inspired engineering.
Associate Professor Fangbao Tian is a distinguished researcher and academic at UNSW Canberra's School of Engineering and Technology, where he also serves as Deputy Head of School for Research since July 2023. Previously, he held positions as Senior Lecturer (2017-2021) and Lecturer (2014-2017) at the same institution after completing postdoctoral research at Vanderbilt University. His academic journey began with a BSc (2006) and PhD (2011) in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics and Engineering Mechanics from the University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Tian's research focuses on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools for complex flows and fluid-structure interaction, with particular emphasis on bio-inspired applications. His work spans modeling laryngeal aerodynamics and vocal-fold vibration, fluid-structure interaction of plates in viscous fluid, fish swimming and insect flight, blood flow dynamics, and non-Newtonian flow phenomena. Recent work has expanded into Martian atmosphere aerodynamics, showing his research's growing interdisciplinary nature. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent contributions across fluid dynamics, with recent trends showing increasing focus on compressible flows, bio-inspired flight systems, heat transfer applications, and computational methods like Lattice Boltzmann approaches. The research shows strong connections between fundamental fluid mechanics and practical applications in aerospace, biomedical engineering, and environmental systems. UNSW Canberra Goldstar Award 2022 IEEE Outstanding SMCS Chapter Award 2021 Outstanding Volunteer Award 2021 UNSW Canberra Silverstar Award 2018 UNSW Canberra Silverstar Award 2017 Journal of Fluids and Structures Highly Cited Research 2017 ARC DECRA 2016 Dr. Tian actively supervises PhD students across diverse topics including bushfire-enhanced wind loads, bio-inspired flight on Mars, flow control optimization, and fluid-structure interactions in compressible flows. He has secured over $5 million in external funding as Chief Investigator, including significant Australian Research Council projects examining Martian atmosphere aerodynamics, bio-inspired flapping wings, and cardiovascular flow modeling. His editorial roles include Associate Editor for Journal of Fluids and Structures and Scientific Reports, reflecting his standing in the fluid dynamics research community.
Imraan Faruque is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma State University (OSU), part of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT). His research focuses on biologically-inspired flight control systems, engineered autonomy for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the integration of sensory feedback mechanisms in autonomous systems. Education: Faruque holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland (2011 and 2010) and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech (2006). Research Interests: His work emphasizes bio-inspired solutions for aerial autonomy, including swarm coordination, gust-aware flight control, and human-autonomy interaction. Key areas include unmanned systems design, visual feedback algorithms, and adaptive control strategies derived from insect flight dynamics. Awards: He has received notable accolades such as the ONR Young Investigator Award (2019), AIAA Hal Andrews Young Engineer/Scientist Award (2017), and multiple 'Best in Session' recognitions at major conferences. His team also secured 1st Place in the International Aerial Robotics Championship (2005). Publications: Faruque’s research spans topics like orbital debris management, swarm intelligence, and tornado sensing with UAVs. His work bridges biological principles and engineering, with applications in aerospace, robotics, and environmental monitoring.
Daniel Quinn is an Associate Professor at the University of Virginia, jointly affiliated with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is a member of the Link Lab, focusing on Cyber-Physical Systems, particularly autonomous vehicles and bio-inspired robotics. His roles include teaching courses like Aerodynamics I and Fluid Mechanics. Education: BS in Aerospace Engineering (University of Virginia), PhD in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (Princeton University). Postdoctoral research at Stanford University and visiting fellowships at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology. Research focuses on Fluid-Structure Interactions, Biomechanics, Bio-Inspired Robotics, Energy-Harvesting, and Cyber-Physical Systems. Key projects include studying ground effects on propulsion, fish schooling dynamics, and self-powered breath sensors. Notable awards include the NSF Career Award (2020), Pi Tau Sigma Outstanding Faculty Award (2021–2023), and the Hartfield Excellence in Teaching Award (2024–2025). His work bridges experimental optimization, computational modeling, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Grants include DURIP support for advanced research facilities. Lab locations include Olsson Hall and 122 Engineer’s Way. Active in media, featured in articles on teaching excellence and UAV design innovations.
Anna C. Balazs is Distinguished Professor and John A. Swanson Chair of Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, with an adjunct appointment in Chemistry and visiting professorships at Scripps Research Institute, UT-Austin and Oxford University. In 2025 she receives the €10,000 Gutenberg Research Award from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) for her pioneering theoretical work on smart soft materials. She earned an A.B. in Physics from Bryn Mawr College (1975) and a Ph.D. in Materials Science from MIT (1981), followed by post-doctoral research at Brandeis, MIT and UMass. Research interests span theoretical and computational soft-matter physics, focusing on: Statistical-mechanical modelling of polymer blends and composites Self-oscillating and chemo-responsive hydrogels Active matter, enzyme-powered swimmers and self-propelling sheets Self-healing, shape-morphing and bio-inspired materials Computer simulation of colloidal and interfacial phenomena Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a clear trend toward integrating chemistry, fluid mechanics and elasticity to create life-like, autonomous soft machines. Key contributions include: Harnessing enzyme pumps to drive macroscopic sheet locomotion Designing chemically communicating micro-post arrays Creating dissipative materials with programmable, hierarchical 3-D architectures Scientific awards include: Gutenberg Research Award 2025 Polymer Physics Prize, American Physical Society SF Boys-A. Rahman Award, Royal Society of Chemistry Langmuir Lectureship Award, American Chemical Society Election to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (2021) She serves on the Advisory Board of the DOE-BES Materials Council and on editorial boards for Langmuir , Soft Matter and Polymer Reviews . Her group collaborates closely with experimental teams world-wide, including the DFG-NSF “Confine” partnership with JGU and the CoM2Life Cluster of Excellence initiative.
Elena Niculina Dragoi is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection 'Cristofor Simionescu' at Gheorghe Asachi Technical University in Iasi, Romania. Her academic work integrates Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools for solving complex problems in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection . With over 30 published papers and six active research projects, her contributions span process optimization, nanomaterials, and sustainable technologies. Teaches Applied Informatics (Years 1 & 4) and Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering Contributes to Programming Engineering at the Faculty of Computer Science, University 'Alexandru Ioan Cuza' Engaged in interdisciplinary courses at the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Engineering Research Interests : Elena's work focuses on modelling and optimization (90% emphasis) of chemical processes using AI methodologies, with cross-disciplinary applications in environmental engineering (70%) and chemical engineering (95%). Her recent publications highlight innovations in: 3D-printed nanocomposite adsorbents for pollutant removal Metaheuristic optimization algorithms for industrial processes Hydrogen generation via nanocatalysts Electrochemical biosensors for environmental and health monitoring AI-driven wastewater treatment systems Green chemistry applications in pharmaceutical and dye removal
Professor Qing Xiao is a faculty member in the Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering at the University of Strathclyde . With over 25 years of expertise in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) , they focus on bio-inspired fluid dynamics and marine renewable energy systems. Their research includes modeling flapping-wing aerodynamics, tidal turbines, and floating wind turbines with coupled aero-hydrodynamic simulations. Research Themes: Bio-inspired robotics, offshore renewable energy, fluid-structure interaction, vortex-induced vibrations. Collaborations: EPSRC-funded projects, Supergen ORE Hub partnerships, and industrial alliances. Recent Work: AI-driven surrogate models for floating offshore wind turbines, hyperelastic material applications in wave energy converters, and digital twin frameworks for structural health monitoring. Scientific Recognition: OMAE Subrata Chakrabarti Young Professional Award (2017) Strathclyde Teaching Excellence Award (2013) Students & Supervision: Advising PhD candidates like Kobe Hoi Yin Yung and Hoi Yin Yung, with graduates Xiang Li and Yang Luo contributing to bio-inspired robotics and CFD-FSI studies. Labs & Teams: Leads an interdisciplinary CFD-FSI research group at Strathclyde, fostering academic-industrial cooperation and hosting visiting researchers.
Dr. Ye Wang is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Microsystems , Mechanical Engineering School , Eindhoven University of Technology . Active in UN Sustainable Development Goals related to biomedical technology, their work focuses on magnetic artificial cilia for microfluidic applications. Academic Rank: Assistant Professor University: Eindhoven University of Technology School: Mechanical Engineering Department: Microsystems Research Interests : Fluid dynamics in microsystems, magnetic actuation, biomechanical stimuli response, and biomedical device development. Key areas include programmable artificial cilia, shear-thinning fluid transport, and biofouling prevention through microscale engineering. Scientific Trends : Recent works emphasize cilia-based microfluidic mixing, non-Newtonian fluid dynamics, and organ-on-chip platforms. Collaborative projects with Prof. J.M.J. den Toonder and P.R. Onck dominate current publications. Advising : Supervised multiple student theses on topics ranging from microrheology to microheater reliability. Graduate students include F.W. Boots , M.H.J. Dekkers , and Y.-T. Lan . Projects : Currently involved in Accelerating Innovation in Microfabricated Medical Devices (2020-2023) with focus on continuous monitoring and advanced diagnostics. Scientific Impact : 1231 citations (Scopus) with collaborative networks spanning fluid dynamics, magnetic actuation, and biomedical applications. Featured in PNAS and Lab on a Chip publications.
David E. Breen is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science within the College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) at Drexel University. He leads the Geometric Biomedical Computing Group and is affiliated with the Metadata Research Center and the Center for Biological Discovery from Big Data. His research spans interdisciplinary domains including biomedical image informatics, geometric modeling, textile modeling, and bio-inspired self-organization algorithms. Education: PhD, Computer and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute MS, Computer and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute BA, Physics, Colgate University His research interests focus on computational methods for biomedical applications, including shape and image analysis for cancer diagnosis, 3D reconstruction of biological tissues, and video analysis of animal behavior. He also investigates geometric modeling techniques for textiles and self-organizing systems. His work integrates computer science with biology, medicine, and engineering to solve complex problems in biomedical computing. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in computational modeling of textiles, biomedical image informatics, and AI-driven data analysis. Key themes include geometric modeling of knitted fabrics, deep learning for medical image classification, agent-based modeling of cancer metastasis, and metadata generation for biological image collections. His work bridges fundamental geometric algorithms with practical applications in healthcare and digital archives. Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned in the provided text. Breen has advised numerous students and collaborators across multiple domains, particularly in biomedical computing and textile modeling. His research has been supported through affiliations with major centers and collaborations with institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and the Max Planck Institute. He has been involved in projects related to NSF Center for Visual & Decision Informatics and has contributed to over 100 technical publications. He leads the Geometric Biomedical Computing Group , which conducts research at the intersection of biology, medicine, engineering, and computer science. The group develops algorithms and software for geometry-related computing problems in biomedical applications. Collaborations include the Drexel Integrated Laboratory for Cellular Tissue Engineering, Dr. Dan Marenda's Lab, and Dr. Aleister Saunder's Lab in Drexel's Biology Department.
Ramses Martinez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University . He holds a B.A. in Applied Physics from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (2004) and a Ph.D. in Physics and Materials Science from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in 2009. Prior to joining Purdue, he conducted postdoctoral research in the lab of Prof. George M. Whitesides at Harvard University, focusing on nanofabrication, microfluidics, and soft robotics. Education B.A. in Applied Physics, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (2004) Ph.D. in Physics and Materials Science, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) (2009) His research bridges soft robotics , flexible electronics , and nanofabrication , with a focus on creating self-powered e-textiles , omniphobic paper-based devices , and programmable mechanical metamaterials . His work has led to over 25 publications and 9 patents, emphasizing practical applications in health monitoring and industrial automation . Notable projects include waterproof electronic decals for biofluid monitoring, smart bandages for chronic wound detection, and laser nanoforming methods for scalable metallic structures. His research has been recognized through the Fulbright Fellowship and the Marie Curie IOF Grant .
Prof. Julio Lloret-Fillol is a Group Leader at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) and an ICREA Research Professor since 2015. His work bridges homogeneous catalysis , material science , and automation to develop sustainable chemical processes and solar fuels. He earned his PhD in 2006 from Universidad de Valencia under Prof. Lahuerta and J. Pérez-Prieto, followed by postdoctoral research at University of Heidelberg (MEyC and Marie Curie Fellowships). Awards: 2024 RSEQ-GEQO Award on Excellence 2023 Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry 2022 Ramón Areces Grant 2019 Thieme Chemistry Journals Award 2017 Young Academy of Europe 2015 Young Researcher RSEQ Award Research Interests: Water oxidation catalysis CO₂ reduction to value-added chemicals Artificial photosynthesis Electrocatalytic hydrogen generation Spin-off technologies for green hydrogen and photoreactors Notable Publications: 2024: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (electrocatalytic ketones from CO₂) 2024: ACS Catal. (Fe-doped NiO for OER) 2023: ACS Catal. (COF-based cobalt catalysts) 2022: JACS (OER mechanism with cobalt complexes) 2022: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (chloroalkane activation) Spin-offs: Treellum Technologies (photoreactors) JOLT Solutions (electrodes for hydrogen production)
David Lentink is a Full Professor of Biomimetics at the University of Groningen , leading the Biomimetics Group within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research bridges biomechanics, aerospace engineering, and robotics, focusing on avian flight mechanics and bio-inspired aerial robotics . Previously at Stanford University, he pioneered the development of the Aerodynamic Force Platform and low-turbulence wind tunnels for animal flight studies. Education : PhD in Aerospace Engineering (Stanford), MSc in Mechanical Engineering (Delft), BSc in Mechanical Engineering (Delft). Research Interests : Understanding bird flight biomechanics to design advanced drones, studying evolutionary adaptations in flight, and developing biohybrid robots with real feathers. Scientific Awards : Dutch Academic Year Prize for the Flight Artists (2013). World Economic Forum Young Scientist under 40 (2013). Alumnus of the Young Academy of The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Labs : The Lentink Lab at Groningen’s Linnaeusborg campus integrates bird aviaries, wind tunnels, and maker spaces for bio-inspired robotics development. His team collaborates globally with institutions like Stanford, TU/e, and Sorama.
Professor Matt Garratt is a faculty member at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Canberra), School of Engineering and IT, serving as AI theme lead for the Defence Trailblazer Universities initiative with over $200 million in funding. His primary research focuses on sensing, guidance, and control for autonomous systems within robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles. Garratt's research spans robotics, swarm intelligence, and autonomous systems with emphasis on bio-inspired navigation techniques and adaptive flight control. His work addresses critical challenges including terrain following using vision systems, landing UAVs on moving platforms, and developing self-organizing swarms. He integrates artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning to advance unmanned systems capabilities in complex environments. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in bio-inspired UAV navigation (particularly honeybee behavior modeling) and swarm robotics applications. His work increasingly incorporates deep learning for perception tasks while addressing real-world challenges like gas plume detection and adversarial robustness in 3D vision systems. The research demonstrates consistent progression toward practical implementation of autonomous systems in dynamic environments. Professor Garratt has secured over $7.7 million in external research funding as Chief Investigator on 33 grants. He actively mentors graduate students with scholarships available for Masters and PhD research in robotics and AI, focusing on: UAV path planning and adaptive control systems Swarm robotics collective motion optimization Bio-inspired autonomous navigation techniques Computer vision for robotic perception He co-founded the UNSW Canberra AIR (AI and Robotics) Group (AIR Lab), which drives research in trusted autonomy, swarm intelligence, and AI integration for defense applications. The lab develops practical solutions for autonomous systems operating in complex, real-world environments while maintaining ethical AI frameworks.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. David E. Rival is a full Professor at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Technische Universität Braunschweig. His research spans interdisciplinary domains at the intersection of experimental fluid dynamics, data assimilation, network science, and bio-inspiration, with applications in renewable energy systems and bio-mimetic engineering. Former Associate Professor at Queen’s University, Canada Doctoral work on dragonfly flight aerodynamics at TU Darmstadt Alexander von Humboldt research fellowship recipient (2020) Postdoctoral associate at MIT studying shape morphing in nature Research chair at University of Calgary on atmospheric sensing His work focuses on unsteady flow phenomena, bio-inspired design, and advanced measurement techniques. Key projects include: Co-chairing NATO AVT task group on flow separation International collaborations with AFOSR, NATO, and ONR Development of cost-effective flow-tracking sensors for natural environments Investigations into shear-thinning suspension dynamics and vortex ring behavior Recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on: Large-scale particle tracking with natural light and UAVs Machine learning for sparse data reconstruction in fluid flows Soft coastal protection methods and ecohydraulics Advanced sensing techniques for atmospheric and industrial applications Scientific Awards: 2020: Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship Notable research achievements include textbook authorship on Biological and Bio-Inspired Fluid Dynamics (Springer) and media features in The Nature of Things (David Suzuki) and Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet .
