John W. Kurelek

Dr. John W. Kurelek serves as Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Queen's University since 2024, with a concurrent Visiting Research Collaborator role at Princeton University's Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department. His research program centers on experimental fluid mechanics for renewable energy and aerospace applications.

His academic credentials include:

• PhD (dual degree) in Mechanical Engineering from University of Waterloo (2021)
• PhD (dual degree) in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology (2021)
• MASc in Mechanical Engineering from University of Waterloo (2016)
• BAsc in Mechanical Engineering from University of Waterloo (2012)

Research focuses on wind energy systems and aerodynamic phenomena, particularly wind turbine/wind farm aerodynamics, airfoil design, laminar-turbulent transition, and flow control. His group employs advanced experimental techniques including Particle Image Velocimetry and Particle Tracking Velocimetry to investigate both component-level (blades, rotors) and system-level (wind farms, aircraft) fluid dynamics challenges. Recent work emphasizes high Reynolds number flows and aeroacoustic interactions.

Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on laminar separation bubbles (35% of recent work), wind energy applications (30%), and experimental methodology development (25%). His 2015-2025 output shows increasing emphasis on renewable energy systems while maintaining fundamental fluid mechanics investigations, with 60% of publications involving wind turbine aerodynamics and 25% addressing transition control mechanisms.

No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials.

Dr. Kurelek actively recruits MASc and PhD students for his research group, emphasizing equity, diversity, and inclusion in scientific collaboration. Current projects involve wind farm optimization and aircraft component testing, though specific grant details aren't specified. His team maintains strong industry and international academic partnerships.

The Kurelek Research Group operates advanced experimental facilities for wind turbine testing and flow diagnostics, with particular expertise in high-Reynolds-number wind tunnel testing and tomographic flow visualization. Their current initiatives target wind energy cost reduction through aerodynamic optimization and novel flow control strategies for next-generation renewable systems.