Pedro M. Reis

Pedro M. Reis serves as Full Professor and Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IGM) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), leading the Flexible Structures Laboratory (FLEXLAB) within the School of Engineering (STI). He holds additional appointments as Full Professor in STI-SGM Teaching, Member of the STI Academic Evaluation Committee, and PhD Program Committee Member for Mechanics.

His academic journey includes:

• B.Sc. in Physics, University of Manchester (1999)
• Certificate of Advanced Studies in Mathematics, University of Cambridge (2000)
• Ph.D. in Physics, University of Manchester (2004)
• Postdoctoral research at City College of New York (2004-2005) and CNRS/ESPCI Paris (2005-2007)
• Faculty positions at MIT (2007-2013) as Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Assistant Professor and Gilbert W. Winslow Associate Professor

Reis's research pioneers the exploitation of mechanical instabilities in flexible structures, spanning experimental mechanics, fluid-structure interactions, and buckling phenomena. His work bridges theoretical modeling with physical experimentation to develop novel functional materials and devices, emphasizing practical applications in engineering design and soft matter systems.

His accolades include:

• 2013 Brilliant 10 recognition by Popular Science
• 2014 NSF CAREER Award
• 2016 Thomas J.R. Hughes Young Investigator Award (ASME)
• 2016 GSOFT Early Career Award (APS)
• APS Fellowship and 2021 Presidency of the Society of Engineering Science (SES)

Reis actively mentors nine PhD students across current and graduated cohorts while directing FLEXLAB's experimental research on structural instabilities. His leadership extends to institutional roles including Director of IGM and committee memberships shaping EPFL's academic framework and doctoral programs in mechanics.