Neelesh A. Patankar

Professor Neelesh A. Patankar is a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering, serving as Director of the Northwestern Academy for Interdisciplinary Science (NAISE). His academic rank is Professor, with a courtesy appointment in Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.Tech. from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

Research interests span three core areas: computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for fluid-structure interaction, biomechanical analysis of organs (e.g., esophagus, aorta), and phase transition engineering using surface roughness. His work bridges mechanics and clinical practice, with applications in anti-icing, boiling, and biomedical diagnostics. He teaches courses in CFD, microfluidics, and engineering analysis, and has developed innovative computational methods for neuromechanics and aquatic locomotion.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
  • B.Tech., Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
• Awards:
  • International Conference on Multiphase Flow Junior Award (2010)
  • NSF CAREER Award (2002)
  • Searle Junior Fellowship (2001)

His research group, the Patankar Group, focuses on metasurface design, immersed body techniques, and applications in aquatic locomotion and biomedical systems. Collaborations include studies on esophageal transport, neuromuscular mechanics, and superhydrophobic surfaces. He advises numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, contributing to over 100 publications and impactful interdisciplinary projects.