Daniel Lander

Daniel Lander serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), teaching Water Resources Engineering, Thermal-Fluid Engineering I, Wind Engineering, Fluid Mechanics for Civil Engineers, and Introductory to Engineering Design.

Education

• B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Sydney, Australia (2009)

Research Focus: His work centers on fundamental fluid mechanics in wind engineering, specifically examining Reynolds number effects on laminar-to-turbulent transition in shear layers, vortex shedding from square prisms, and scale effects of free-stream turbulence on peak pressure generation in separating/recirculating flows. Key areas include Bluff Body Aerodynamics, Shear Layer Dynamics, and Vortex Shedding, with applications in structural wind loading and building design.

Publication Trends: His 11 publications (2010-2021) reveal a dual trajectory: rigorous fluid dynamics research in premier journals (e.g., Journal of Fluid Mechanics) focusing on bluff body aerodynamics and shear layer phenomena, while recently expanding into engineering ethics through the 2021 co-authored report on social justice and climate action. This evolution reflects his commitment to both technical wind engineering and societal impact.

Grants & Leadership

• NSF-funded proposal: "Model to Full-Scale Validation of Peak Pressure Mechanisms in Buildings that Cause Cladding Failures and Windstorm Damage" (advisory role)
• Co-organizer of RPI's Engineering the Anthropocene seminar series with Science and Technology Studies
• Co-founder of the Constellation Prize promoting engineers in social justice, human rights, and environmental protection

Affiliations: Active member of RPI's Center for Materials, Devices, and Integrated Systems (CMDIS) and Troy Bike Rescue (board member, mechanic, volunteer).