Lian Shen

Lian Shen is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and serves as the Director of the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, a premier research center for fluid mechanics and environmental engineering. He is actively involved in interdisciplinary research with strong ties to atmospheric science, oceanography, and renewable energy systems.

• Position: Professor, Mechanical Engineering
• Leadership: Director, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
• Institution: University of Minnesota, College of Science and Engineering

His research focuses on fundamental and applied aspects of fluid dynamics, particularly turbulence, air-sea interaction, and environmental flows. Using advanced computational techniques such as Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS), he investigates complex phenomena including marine atmospheric boundary layers, upper-ocean turbulence, floating offshore wind systems, and biofilm-sediment interactions. His work integrates high-performance computing, machine learning, and field data validation to address challenges in climate modeling and sustainable energy.

The trends in his recent publications (2018–2025) show a consistent emphasis on computational modeling of turbulent flows influenced by waves, stratification, and biological factors. His articles span journals in fluid mechanics, geophysics, and applied mathematics, reflecting a highly interdisciplinary approach. Key themes include GPU-accelerated simulations, wind-wave generation theory, particle-laden convection, and the role of synthetic biofilms in sediment evolution.

Dr. Shen has secured substantial funding from federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Defense (Navy), the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. His active grants support projects such as:

• LES of moisture and aerosol in marine atmosphere with air-sea interaction
• Fundamental dynamics of upper-ocean turbulence
• Modeling bubble dynamics at field sites
• FLOWMAS: Floating Offshore Wind Modeling and Simulation
• Impacts of biofilms on seabed topography

He advises postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, fostering the next generation of scientists in fluid mechanics and environmental engineering. His lab produces open datasets supporting transparency and reproducibility in research.