Lothar Birk

Lothar Birk serves as Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of New Orleans, holding the Jerome L. Goldman Endowed Professorship in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

His academic credentials include:

• Dr.-Ing. from the Institute of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin (1998)
• Dipl.-Ing. from the Institute of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin (1990)
• Licensed Professional Engineer in Louisiana (License No. 33201, 2007)

Professor Birk's research centers on hydrodynamic shape optimization and parametric hull design, with expertise in wave-body interaction, stochastic analysis, and panel methods. His work establishes critical design assessment criteria for marine structures through advanced computational techniques.

Analysis of his 12 publications (2003-2017) reveals consistent focus on optimization algorithms applied to offshore structures and ship hulls, predominantly within hydrodynamics and computer-aided naval architecture. His methodology integrates stochastic analysis with panel methods to improve seakeeping behavior and structural efficiency.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Best Technical Innovation Award (2009) for optimizing seakeeping behavior of large floating systems

As Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Professor Birk provides academic leadership and student mentorship. His research in hydrodynamic optimization likely involves external funding though specific grants aren't detailed. The Jerome L. Goldman Endowed Professorship underscores his institutional prominence in marine engineering education.