Bruce Sutherland

Bruce Sutherland, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Earth & Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Science. His research focuses on environmental and geophysical fluid dynamics, including stratified flows, internal waves, particle transport, and microplastic dynamics. He leads the Environmental and Industrial Fluids Laboratory, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in physics, engineering, and mathematics. Sutherland has held editorial roles at journals like Physics of Fluids and Physical Review Fluids, and served as Director of the Institute for Geophysical Research (2012–2018). Notable awards include the Killam Annual Professorship (2010–2011) and Fellow of the American Physical Society (2016).

Education:

• BMath in Applied/Pure Mathematics, University of Waterloo (1983–1987)
• MSc in Physics, University of Toronto (1987–1988)
• PhD in Physics, University of Toronto (1988–1994)

Research Interests:

• Atmospheric and oceanic fluid dynamics
• Stratified flows, internal waves, and plumes
• Particle-laden flows, microplastic transport, and clay interactions
• Climatological and industrial applications

Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes particle dynamics in stratified fluids, internal wave instabilities, and environmental fluid mechanics. Key themes include microplastic sedimentation, clay flocculation, and geophysical turbulence.

Grants & Advising: Advises on grants related to fluid dynamics and environmental applications. Collaborates with Morris Flynn on lab research.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Environmental and Industrial Fluids Lab (3-257 CCIS), studying particle transport, internal waves, and geophysical flows.