Craig Dutton

Craig Dutton is a Professor Emeritus at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He holds affiliations within the College of Engineering and has served in multiple academic leadership roles, including Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering (2007–2011) and Abel Bliss Professor (2007–2012). His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (ME) from UIUC (1979), an M.S. in ME from Oregon State University (1975), and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington (1973).

Research Interests: Dutton’s work focuses on experimental fluid mechanics, particularly high-speed separated flows, shock wave interactions, and laser diagnostics. His research spans gas dynamics, compressible turbulence, and flow control, with applications in aerospace and biomedical engineering. Notable areas include supersonic base flows, jet dynamics, and cell-matrix interactions in engineered tissues.

Selected Contributions: His publications cover over 200 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing experimental methodologies like particle image velocimetry (PIV) and pressure-sensitive paint. Recent work includes studies on supersonic shear layers, plasma actuator control, and freezing-induced cell deformation. He has advised numerous undergraduate students in research projects, including UROP programs from 2015–2020.

Labs & Mentorship: Dutton has mentored PhD students through the Mavis Future Faculty Fellows Program (2016–2021) and contributed to academic leadership in UIUC’s College of Engineering. His research facilities include the Talbot Laboratory, where his team conducts high-speed flow experiments.