Dr. Guillermo Amador is an Assistant Professor in the Experimental Zoology department at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on understanding how animals interact with complex environments through locomotion, adhesion, and fluid dynamics. He investigates biological systems like insects, plants, and marine organisms to inspire bio-engineered solutions for robotics, microfluidics, and material science. Amador received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (USA), followed by postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (Germany) and a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship at TU Delft (Netherlands). His expertise spans biophysics, biomaterials, and biomechanics, with a focus on self-cleaning mechanisms and bioadhesion. He collaborates with the 4TU consortium on Dutch Soft Robotics to develop bio-inspired designs. His work bridges fundamental biology with engineering applications, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to solve challenges in robotics and environmental science. Amador teaches courses including Biomimetics and Functional Zoology , integrating his research into education. His research highlights include studies on cuttlefish suction cups, stick insect adhesion, and pollen transport mechanisms in pollinators.
Hugo de Lasa is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Ontario. He holds a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering (1968) from Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina, and a Doctoral degree (1971) from Université de Nancy, France. Research Focus: Catalysis, Photocatalysis, Chemical Reactor Engineering, Fluidization, Biomass Gasification Awards: Research Excellence Prize (1998), Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada (2000), Medal of Research and Development (2000), Doctor Honoris Causa (2004, 2018) His work spans chemical reactor design , photocatalytic hydrogen production , and fluidized bed technologies . Recent publications highlight machine learning applications in chemical equilibrium modeling and CO2 capture using microalgae. He founded the Chemical Reactor Engineering Centre (CREC) and Recat Technologies Inc. , a university spin-off commercializing reactor innovations. Awards include the Vanguard Award (2019) and Commemorative Issue in Catalysts Journal (2020). His research has generated 389 peer-reviewed publications , 14 patents , and over 10,000 citations .
Christopher D.P. Baxter is a Professor and Department Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the College of Engineering, University of Rhode Island , with expertise in geotechnical engineering, offshore wind energy, and coastal resilience. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech (1999), an M.S. from Purdue University (1994), and a B.S. from Tufts University (1990). Research Focus: Geotechnical characterization of marine sediments, liquefaction resistance analysis, fiber-optic sensing for infrastructure monitoring, and coastal protection systems. Recent Publications: 15+ articles (2011–2025) covering topics like shear wave velocity, offshore wind foundation dynamics, and tsunami hazard modeling. Grants: Led projects on offshore wind monitoring (2019–2024) and fiber-optic seismic sensing (2021–2023). Key Collaborations: Work with teams on submarine landslide analysis, coastal dune reinforcement, and Rhode Island infrastructure resilience. His work bridges experimental geomechanics with practical coastal engineering solutions.
Associate Professor Wenhua Zhao is a globally recognized expert in offshore hydrodynamics and renewable energy technologies at The University of Queensland , School of Civil Engineering. With over 110 publications and 30 million AUD in secured research funding, his work bridges theoretical and practical advancements in marine engineering. Research focuses on Clean Energy , Artificial Intelligence , and Climate Change , specifically floating wind energy, floating solar, offshore aquaculture, and green hydrogen production. His 15 most recent articles (2024-2025) emphasize wave-structure interactions, gap resonance dynamics, and AI-driven wave prediction, published in top journals like Journal of Fluid Mechanics and Ocean Engineering . Scientific awards include the prestigious ARC Future Fellowship (2024-2028) and DECRA Fellowship (2019-2022) , recognizing his contributions to academia and industry. He teaches the 'Design of Offshore Energy Systems' course , training hundreds of students in coastal and ocean engineering, and serves as Deputy Editor for Ocean Engineering and Associate Editor for ASME's Journal of OMAE . Available for research supervision, Zhao actively collaborates with editorial boards of Applied Ocean Research and other Q1 journals.
Jon Miller is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. He holds dual roles as Director of the NJ Coastal Protection Technical Assistance Service and NJ Sea Grant Coastal Processes Specialist. Miller earned a B.E. in Civil Engineering from Stevens (1999), followed by M.S. and Ph.D. in Coastal Engineering from the University of Florida (2001, 2004). His research focuses on coastal hazard mitigation, nature-based solutions, and numerical modeling of coastal systems. Education: - Ph.D. Coastal Engineering, University of Florida (2004) - M.S. Coastal Engineering, University of Florida (2001) - B.E. Civil Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology (1999) Research Interests: Miller's work emphasizes coastal resilience through innovative engineering approaches. Key areas include: - Wave attenuation mechanisms of natural/nature-based features - Climate change impacts on coastal erosion - Living shoreline design and implementation - Sediment management strategies for inlets and beaches - Dune system vulnerability analysis Grants & Awards: - $1M+ funding from NOAA, NSF, and state agencies - 2024 ASCE Educator of the Year Award - 2023 Robert G. Dean Coastal Award - Over 20+ technical reports guiding coastal policy Professional Leadership: - Editorial roles in Shore & Beach and Journal of Coastal Research - Leadership in NJ Coastal Resilience Collaborative - Advisor for 3 Technogenesis Summer Scholars Labs & Projects: - Principal Investigator for SEECPRS disaster response system - Co-developed NJ Living Shorelines Engineering Guidelines - Conducts fieldwork on Hudson River shoreline restoration
Brett Sanders is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on developing innovative algorithms for flow and transport in river and coastal systems and integrating information technologies to create more accurate and efficient simulation tools for flood hazard assessment. His primary research interests include: Flooding and erosion hazards, particularly coastal flooding and urban flooding Surface water quality Low impact development impacts on hydrology Dam-break flooding Aerial and terrestrial lidar scanning Geographical information systems High performance computing for simulation tools Social dimensions of flood risk and adaptation behaviors Dr. Sanders' recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a comprehensive research program addressing both technical and social aspects of flood risk. His work spans computational hydrodynamics, flood hazard mapping, infrastructure vulnerability assessment, and the socioeconomic dimensions of flood risk. He has made significant contributions to understanding multi-grid modeling of urban flooding, post-fire flood hazards, satellite-based monitoring of land motion, and social inequalities in flood exposure. His research demonstrates how flood dynamics are more complex than simple bath-tub filling models suggest, with important implications for urban planning and climate adaptation. Dr. Sanders has received recognition as a Chancellor's Professor at UC Irvine, indicating distinguished scholarly achievement. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan (1997) M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan (1994) B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (1993)
Buyung Kosasih is a Professor in the School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wollongong. He has held this position since 2000 and focuses on teaching and research in mechanical engineering, including Machine Dynamics, Finite Element Methods, and Renewable Energy Technology. His research spans fluid dynamics in industrial processes, renewable energy systems, and aqueous lubrication. Key projects include 3D-printed surfboard fin optimization and steel coating dynamics. Research interests emphasize experimental and computational fluid dynamics, particularly in renewable energy turbines and tribological systems. Notable awards include the 2013 Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning Award. He has supervised numerous students and led over 20 funded projects, including ARC grants for steel innovation and renewable energy. Collaborative work includes the Steel Research Hub and HVAC/cool roof efficiency studies.
John S. McCartney is a Professor and Hal Sorenson Endowed Chair in the Department of Structural Engineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). He directs the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center and holds editorial roles at journals such as ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering and Computers and Geotechnics. His research focuses on unsaturated soil mechanics, energy geotechnics, and geosynthetics engineering, with applications in thermal energy systems, landfill covers, and seismic response analysis. Education: B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder (2002), Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from University of Texas at Austin (2007). Research interests include thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of soils, geothermal energy piles, tire-derived aggregates, and seismic performance of geotechnical systems. His work combines laboratory testing, centrifuge modeling, and numerical simulations to address challenges in sustainable infrastructure and energy systems. Key awards include the Walter L. Huber Research Prize (2016), NSF CAREER Award (2011), and multiple teaching and service recognitions. He actively contributes to ASTM standards and serves as President of the IGS-NA chapter. Lab facilities are located in the Structural and Materials Engineering Building (SME 409). Courses taught include advanced soil mechanics, energy geotechnics, and geotechnical earthquake engineering.
Sverre Steen is a Professor and Head of the Department of Marine Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He leads the Kongsberg Maritime University Technology Centre focused on 'Ship Performance and Cyber-physical Systems' and is a member of the standing committee for the Symposium of Marine Propulsors. His research emphasizes ship propulsion, hydrodynamics, and big data analysis of in-service vessel performance. Key interests include seakeeping, high-speed marine vehicles, and model testing techniques. Steen teaches TMR 4217 Hydrodynamics of High-Speed Marine Vehicles , covering cavitation, experimental hydrodynamics, and propulsion systems. He collaborates internationally on projects like the Norwegian Ocean Technology Centre. His recent work explores wave-energy extraction via hydrofoil vessels, resistance modeling for fast ferries, and propulsion efficiency in real sea states. He has contributed to global shipping emission models (MariTEAM) and reliability analysis of structural components under vibration. Steen's publications span propulsion in waves, engine-propeller dynamics, and data-driven methods for ship performance monitoring. His applied research bridges experimental testing and computational modeling to address challenges in sustainable maritime transport and operational safety.
Yan Delaure is Associate Professor of Fluid Mechanics at Dublin City University's School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and Deputy Director of the DCU Water Institute. His research focuses on multiphase flows, environmental hydraulics, and computational fluid dynamics applications in wastewater treatment and marine systems. Research includes microbubble dynamics for aeration, fluid-structure interactions in deformable systems, and biomimetic antifouling solutions. Recent publications explore advanced simulation methods for turbulent flows and additive manufacturing process optimization.
Christopher Goyne is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Virginia (UVA) and Director of the UVA Aerospace Research Laboratory. He holds a B.Eng. (1991) and Ph.D. (1999) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Queensland, Australia. His research focuses on hypersonic propulsion, scramjet technology, instrumentation development, and advanced manufacturing. He leads the UVA Hypersonics Research Complex and is a key figure in the University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics. Goyne’s work includes contributions to NASA’s Hyper-X Program and the HyShot scramjet flight test program. He is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA and serves on editorial and advisory boards for journals and organizations such as the Shock Waves journal and Virginia’s Aerospace Advisory Council. Education: B.Eng. (Mechanical Engineering, University of Queensland, 1991); Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering, University of Queensland, 1999). Research Interests: Hypersonics and scramjet propulsion Diagnostic techniques (e.g., laser-based methods, optical emission spectroscopy) Wind tunnel and flight testing Controls and adaptive systems for hypersonic flow paths Advanced manufacturing for aerospace components Awards: Recipient of the 2023 James C. McDaniel Fellow Award and 2022 Outstanding Researcher Award. Holds leadership roles in AIAA committees, including past Chair of the HyTASP Program Committee. Recognized with the Sigma Gamma Tau Outstanding Aerospace Professor Award (2006) and multiple research fellowships. Grants and Projects: Funded by NASA, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and industry partners. Leads UVA’s contributions to hypersonic ground and flight testing, including sensor development and combustion efficiency studies. Labs and Teams: Directs the UVA Aerospace Research Laboratory, collaborating on projects such as the UVA Hypersonics Research Complex and the University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics. Advises student chapters of AIAA and Sigma Gamma Tau.
Babak Moaveni is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University, serving as the Associate Chair since September 2024. He also holds a joint appointment as a Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research focuses on structural health monitoring, Bayesian inference, earthquake engineering, and offshore wind energy systems. Moaveni earned his Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of California San Diego (2007), following an M.S. (2001) and B.S. (1999) from Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran. His research interests span probabilistic system identification, signal processing, uncertainty quantification, and verification/validation of computational models. Notable grants include leadership in the PIRE project on offshore wind energy digital twins and the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Pilot Project. He has supervised multiple Ph.D. and M.S. students, with current advisees including Mehdi Akhlaghi and Nasim Partovi-Mehr. Moaveni has received the Best Presentation Award at the 2022 EDGE Symposium and serves on editorial boards for journals like Structural Health Monitoring and Frontiers in Built Environment . His lab, the Structural Health Monitoring Lab, specializes in infrastructure management and offshore wind energy systems. Key professional activities include membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and roles on Tufts' Tenure and Promotion Committee. His teaching includes courses on structural health monitoring, numerical methods, and structural reliability.
Dr. Morteza Ghorbani is a researcher and faculty member at Sabancı University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS), specializing in fluid mechanics and environmental engineering. He leads the AquaCav project, a collaborative effort with Oxford Brookes University, focused on developing sustainable water treatment solutions using hydrodynamic and acoustic cavitation. His research addresses global challenges such as PFAS pollution and wastewater management, with applications in biomedical devices and energy-efficient technologies. Key collaborations include projects funded by the International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF), leveraging his expertise in microfluidic systems and cavitation dynamics. Dr. Ghorbani's work combines experimental and numerical methods to optimize cavitation-based processes for environmental and biomedical applications. His contributions span from fundamental fluid dynamics studies to applied technologies like flexible cystoscopes and clot-on-a-chip platforms. Scientific achievements include the ISPF Research Collaboration Grant (2024) and advancements in PFAS removal, graphene exfoliation, and microalgae cultivation. His research group at Sabancı University explores interdisciplinary solutions at the intersection of engineering, nanotechnology, and sustainability.
Mohamed Farhat is a Senior Scientist at EPFL's School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, where he leads the Research Group on Cavitation and Interface Phenomena. He serves as PhD Director, Lecturer, and Member of EPFL Doctoral Committee (Mechanics), while also representing EPFL at CLUSER association and coordinating activities at the Société Hydrotechnique de France (SHF). His research expertise spans Cavitation & Multiphase flows, Flow Induced Noise & Vibration, Fluid-Structure Interaction, Flow control, Flow instabilities in hydro turbines and pumps, Condition monitoring of Hydraulic Machines, Hemodynamics, and Advanced Instrumentation in Fluid Dynamics. Farhat's work uniquely bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with practical applications across hydropower, marine propulsion, healthcare, and water management sectors. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong focus on cavitation bubble dynamics, with particular emphasis on measurement techniques for collapsing bubbles, vortex shedding control, hydrodynamic monitoring of hydraulic machinery, and biomedical applications of cavitation phenomena. His work increasingly integrates advanced imaging techniques with computational modeling to understand complex multiphase flow phenomena. 2021: Life Sciences Book Award of the International Academy of Astronautics 2019: 1st Prize Winner of Scientific Image Contest (Swiss National Science Foundation) 2020: EPFL-Rhyming Prize (Best PhD thesis in Fluid Mechanics) 2018: EPFL-EDME Prize (Best PhD thesis in Mechanics) 2015: Edmund Optics Educational Award 2014: APS-DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion Award Farhat has successfully supervised numerous PhD students including Ali Amini, Philippe Ausoni, and Outi Supponen, with research spanning from fundamental bubble dynamics to practical hydraulic machinery applications. His Cavitation Research Group maintains strong collaborations with industry partners in hydropower and medical device sectors. Current research directions include advanced instrumentation for cavitation monitoring, condition-based maintenance of hydraulic machinery, and biomedical applications of cavitation phenomena in therapeutic ultrasound and drug delivery.
Rainald Loehner is a Distinguished Professor of Fluid Dynamics at George Mason University's Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics. Since 2003, he has led the Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics at George Mason University. He is currently a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich's Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS) for 2023, hosted by Professors Kai-Uwe Bletzinger and Roland Wüchner in the 'Adjoint-Based System Identification of Large-Scale Structures' Focus Group. Loehner received his Diplom Ingenieur (Maschinenbau) degree from the Technical University of Braunschweig, and his PhD and a DSc in civil engineering from the University College of Swansea, Wales. After teaching at Swansea for a year, he worked at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, followed by a research professorship at George Washington University. He joined George Mason University as an associate professor and was promoted to full professor in 1995 and distinguished professor in 2004. With over 35 years of experience, Professor Loehner's research spans the complete pipeline of numerical solvers and simulation tools. His expertise includes pre-processing, grid generation, numerical methods, field solvers, parallel computing, adaptive mesh refinement, fluid-structure interaction, shape optimization, system identification, and computational crowd dynamics. His current work focuses on developing advanced field solvers for compressible and incompressible flows, acoustics, electromagnetic wave propagation, heat and mass transfer, structural mechanics, and fluid-structure interaction. Key application areas include blast mitigation, ship hydrodynamics, blood flow, contaminant transport, and pedestrian safety. Loehner's recent research output (2020-2024) shows a strong trend toward digital twin technology and adjoint-based methods for structural analysis and optimization. His publications focus on high-fidelity digital twins for detecting structural weaknesses, risk assessment in engineering systems, and optimization of sensor placement. His work bridges computational mechanics with machine learning approaches, particularly in system identification and inverse problems, demonstrating how computational methods can solve complex real-world engineering challenges. 2020: Ranked #15119 in the Stanford List of Most Influential Scientists of the World; #8 in Aerospace and Aeronautics 2010: Distinguished International Career Award, Argentine Association of Computational Mechanics 2008: Fellow, International Association for Computational Mechanics 2006: Associate Fellow, AIAA 2005: Honorary Professor, University of Wales Swansea 2005: Advisory Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 2004: Distinguished Professor of Fluid Dynamics, George Mason University 1999: Computational Mechanics Achievements Award, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineering 1993: Doctor of Science in Civil Engineering, University College of Swansea 1979-1983: Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (Top 1% of German Students) Professor Loehner has mentored numerous students through his work at George Mason University and has supervised research in computational fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, and related fields. His research has been supported by various grants from government agencies and industry partners, enabling the development of advanced simulation tools applied in aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, shock-structure interaction, and medical applications. His codes and methods have been widely adopted in industry and academia for applications ranging from aircraft and ship design to medical simulations and urban pathogen transmission modeling. Loehner leads the Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics at George Mason University, which focuses on developing cutting-edge computational methods for fluid dynamics and related multiphysics problems. The center works on strategic application areas including blast mitigation, ship hydrodynamics, blood flow simulation, and pedestrian movement modeling. As a TUM-IAS Fellow, he collaborates with the Chair of Computational Modeling and Simulation at TUM on adjoint-based system identification of large-scale structures, bringing together expertise in computational mechanics and digital twin technology to address complex engineering challenges.
