Sumanta Acharya is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Illinois Tech's Armour College of Engineering. His career spans computational methods, experimental fluid mechanics, and combustion, with affiliations including ASME, AIAA, and ASTFE. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota (1982) M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota (1980) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (1978) A leading expert in thermal and fluid sciences, Acharya focuses on gas turbine heat transfer, turbulence modeling, and advanced cooling systems. His work integrates Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with experimental validation for applications in biofuels , hydrogen combustion , and phase change materials . Recent publications highlight innovations in Brayton cycle integration, impingement cooling, and aerothermal performance optimization. Awarded by ASME, AIAA, and LSU, his honors include the ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award (2011) and ASME Fellow (1999). He has contributed to key committees, including the ASME Heat Transfer Division Executive Committee and the Department of Energy's University Turbine Systems Research program. Researcher to Know, Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (2022) ASME Dedicated Service Award (2019) AIAA Thermophysics Award (2015) Contact: sacharya1@illinoistech.edu | Phone: 312.567.3701
Howard A. Stone is the Donald R. Dixon '69 and Elizabeth W. Dixon Professor and Neil A. Omenn '68 University Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. He leads the Complex Fluids Group, conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology. Dr. Stone received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis (1982) and Ph.D. from Caltech (1988). After a postdoctoral year at Cambridge University, he joined Harvard University's faculty in 1989, where he became the Vicky Joseph Professor of Engineering and Applied Mathematics before moving to Princeton in 2009. His research focuses on fluid dynamics phenomena across multiple scales, with particular emphasis on microfluidics, complex fluids, and biomechanics . His group investigates multiphase flows, colloidal systems, bio-inspired fluid phenomena, and physicochemical hydrodynamics. Recent work spans from fundamental studies of thin film drainage and droplet dynamics to applications in biological systems including blood flow, bacterial transport, and biomolecular condensates. The Complex Fluids Group employs experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches, often collaborating with industry partners on applications from medical devices to industrial processes. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a continued expansion into biological applications of fluid dynamics, with increasing focus on cellular mechanics, biomolecular condensates, and pathological hemodynamics, while maintaining strong contributions to fundamental fluid mechanics in complex systems. His work consistently bridges theoretical insights with practical applications across multiple disciplines. Major honors include: Election to the National Academy of Engineering (2009) Election to the National Academy of Sciences (2014) APS Fluid Dynamics Prize (2016) G.K. Batchelor Prize in Fluid Dynamics (2008) NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award Professor Stone has advised numerous PhD students through their Final Public Oral examinations, with recent graduates working on topics spanning microfluidics, bacterial transport, and complex fluid phenomena. His research has been supported by diverse funding sources including NSF, NIH, and industry partnerships. The Complex Fluids Group maintains state-of-the-art experimental facilities in the Engineering Quadrangle, featuring specialized equipment for microfluidics, rheology, and interfacial phenomena investigations. The group actively collaborates with researchers across Princeton and globally, maintaining strong connections to both academic and industrial partners working on fluid-related challenges.
Gianluca Iaccarino is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University and the Robert Bosch Chairholder. He serves as Director of the PSAAP Center and leads large-scale computational research initiatives in uncertainty quantification, exascale computing, and multiphysics simulations. His academic journey includes a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Bari (2005), postdoctoral work at Stanford's Center for Turbulence Research, and progression from Research Engineer to full Professor. Education : PhD (Politecnico di Bari), MS/BS in Aeronautical Engineering (University of Naples) Research : Computational engineering, turbulence modeling, uncertainty quantification, biomedical fluid dynamics, and exascale-ready algorithms Publications : 15+ recent articles focus on turbulence modeling, data-driven simulations, and uncertainty quantification across diverse applications in aerospace, biomedical, and energy systems Awards : PECASE (2010), APS Fellow (2019), multiple best paper awards (AIAA, ASME), Terman Fellow (2007) Students : Advises doctoral and master's students in mechanical engineering and computational methods Leadership : Director of PSAAP Center (2014-present), Chair of Mechanical Engineering Department (2024-present)
Professor Jiyuan Tu is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering at RMIT University's School of Engineering. He specializes in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), multiphase flows, and their applications in renewable/nuclear energy, biomedical engineering, and built environment systems. His research has led to over 500 peer-reviewed articles, 9 books, and $10M+ in ARC grants. He has supervised over 50 postgraduate students and received prestigious awards such as the RMIT Research Excellence Award (2012) and Fulbright Senior Scholar Award (2008). Research interests include CFD modelling of bioaerosol transport, drug delivery systems, and thermal energy storage. He pioneered numerical models for multiphase flows, contributing to software implementations in industries. Notable works include books on CFD and multiphase flow analysis, and leadership in international conferences like COBEE 2018. He holds honorary professorships at Tsinghua University and is Editor-in-Chief of the Experimental and Computational of Multiphase Flow journal. Industry experience includes roles at ANSTO (1996-2001). Awards span fellowships from JSPS, KOSEF, and Fulbright programs. Grants include ARC Discovery, Linkage, and LIEF projects. His work ranks him among the world’s top researchers in pebble bed reactors and airborne infection studies (SciVal 2016-2025).
Dr. Zhu Lailai serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), appointed in January 2020. His research bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with cutting-edge engineering applications through computational and theoretical approaches. Dr. Zhu holds a PhD from KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and completed postdoctoral training at Princeton University. His research program centers on: Low-Reynolds-number fluid-structure interactions and bio-inspired adaptive systems Active matter dynamics (Janus colloids, active droplets, flagella/cilia) Intelligent fluids integrating machine learning for fluid dynamics Microrobotics with reinforcement learning-based chemotactic navigation Non-Newtonian/multiphase flows and microfluidics applications Analysis of his 2017-2025 publications reveals a clear trajectory toward AI-enhanced fluid mechanics, evolving from foundational theoretical models to machine learning integration. Recent work emphasizes foundation models for fluid dynamics prediction and topology-adaptive microrobotic navigation, demonstrating interdisciplinary convergence of physics, AI, and bionics. Scientific Awards: No major scientific awards specified in source materials Advising and Grants: While specific advisees and grants aren't detailed, his active publication record across high-impact journals (Nature Communications, Journal of Fluid Mechanics) indicates ongoing supervised research and likely grant funding through NUS and collaborative projects. Research Group: Dr. Zhu leads a computational/theoretical research team at NUS investigating active and intelligent fluids, with current projects on PCM thermal systems, microrobotic navigation, and active matter phase transitions, collaborating with experimentalists globally.
Justin A. Weibel is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, affiliated with the School of Mechanical Engineering. He directs the Cooling Technologies Research Center (CTRC), a National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center. His research focuses on advanced electronics cooling, phase-change transport, additive manufacturing for thermal components, and machine-learning-driven design optimization. He has led projects funded by DARPA, ONR, ARPA-E, and industry partners, advancing cooling solutions for high-power electronics and energy systems. Research interests span thermal management, heat transfer, micro/nano-scale engineering, and sustainable energy. Key contributions include topology optimization for heat sinks, two-phase flow modeling, and embedded cooling systems for electric motors. His work integrates computational methods with experimental validation. Grants & Programs: DARPA TGP/ICECool, ONR NEPTUNE, ARPA-E ASCEND/COOLERCHIPS, SRC CHIRP Labs: Cooling Technologies Research Center (CTRC) Future Work: Expanding additive manufacturing applications, improving thermal efficiency in electrified transport, and advancing AI-driven thermal system design. Awards: Fellow of ASME (2023) Outstanding Faculty Mentor (2022) Multiple best paper awards from IEEE ITherm, ASME, and SEMI-THERM conferences
Mohamed Amara is a full-time Professor at the University of Pau and the Pays de l'Adour (UPPA) since 1996, affiliated with the Laboratory of Mathematics and their Applications (CNRS-UMR 5142). He served as its director (1999-2007), Director of the Doctoral School of Exact Sciences (ED211, 2007-2008), and UPPA's Scientific Council Vice-President (2008-2012). He has been UPPA's President since 2012 (re-elected until 2020). Education: Mathematics from University of Algiers (1973), Pierre and Marie Curie University (DEA 1974, Doctorate 1978, State Doctorate 1983) Academic Roles: Research Associate at Ecole Polytechnique (1978-1982), Algerian Electricity and Gas Company (1983-1992), Professor in Algiers (1988-1994), Tunis (1994-1995), and Associate Professor at Paris 6 (1995-1996) His research focuses on numerical simulation of partial differential equations for environmental/energy applications, including mechanics in porous media (petroleum engineering, geoscience), fluid mechanics (aerodynamics, estuarine hydrodynamics), non-Newtonian flows, and wave propagation. Articles highlight expertise in discontinuous Galerkin methods, Helmholtz problems, finite element discretization, and multiphysics systems. He managed 20 doctoral theses and led national mathematics programs at ANR (2007-2011). He chairs the Cocktail association for higher education IT systems and collaborates with INRIA's Magique 3D team (since 2006).
Dr. Lixin Cheng is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the Department of Engineering and Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University, where he contributes to teaching core modules such as Transport Phenomena and oversees the chemical engineering program. His research focuses on multiphase flow and heat transfer, including enhanced heat transfer technologies, nanofluids, and carbon capture systems. He has held academic roles globally, including at Aarhus University, EPFL, and Xi'an Jiaotong University, and has extensive industry experience as a design engineer. Dr. Cheng is an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and serves as editor-in-chief for multiple journals, including the International Journal of Microscale and Nanoscale Thermal & Fluid Transport Phenomena . Education: PhD in Thermal Energy Engineering (Xi'an Jiaotong University, 1998), followed by postdoctoral and research roles at leading institutions. His interdisciplinary research spans oil-gas-water systems, sustainable energy, and thermal energy management. He has authored over 80 papers and 8 books, with a focus on advancing thermal-fluid science and engineering applications. Research interests include gas-liquid two-phase flow dynamics, flow boiling/condensation, microchannel heat transfer, and CO₂-based thermal systems. His work bridges experimental studies, computational modeling, and industrial collaborations, addressing challenges in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Key contributions include editorial leadership in thermal-fluid journals, organizing international conferences (e.g., ISTFD), and developing predictive models for flow boiling in microchannels. His recent publications (2021–2025) emphasize green hydrogen systems, supercritical CO₂ applications, and heat transfer enhancement in microscale systems. Awards: Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2000–present). Grants and collaborations include partnerships with international universities and industry players, focusing on thermal-fluid innovation. Labs/Teams: Active in Sheffield Hallam's Engineering and Mathematics Department, leading interdisciplinary research in multiphase systems and sustainable energy solutions.
N.K. Anand is a Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, holding the James J. Cain III Regents Professorship. He leads research in advanced computational methods and thermal-hydraulic systems, with affiliations to Multidisciplinary Engineering and Nuclear Engineering programs. His work focuses on physics-informed machine learning, finite volume methods, and aerosol transport in nuclear reactor contexts. Education: PhD (Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 1983), M.S. (Kansas State University, 1979), and B.E. (Bangalore University, 1978). Awards include the ASME James Harry Potter Gold Medal (2020) and multiple teaching/administrative excellence awards from Texas A&M. Research emphasizes fluid dynamics modeling (e.g., PINNs for periodic flows, turbulent deposition studies), heat pipe systems, and nuclear reactor thermal-hydraulics. His Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) contributions include cartridge loop designs and aerosol transport experiments. Active in high-temperature reactor safety, with facilities studying pebble beds, helical coil exchangers, and HTGR upper plenum dynamics. Publications span physics-informed ML applications, finite volume techniques, and nuclear thermal systems. Grants supported development of advanced CFD tools and reactor safety infrastructure. His lab collaborates on international nuclear energy projects and emerging AI-driven simulation methodologies.
Assoc Prof Ng Teng Yong is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (NTU), specializing in numerical modeling and simulation. With a background as Research Manager at A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, his work spans materials science, nanotechnology, and aerospace engineering. Current focus on graphene-based desalination membranes Expertise in molecular dynamics simulations Investigates nanoscale fluid mechanics and structural dynamics Recent publications highlight advancements in energy-efficient electrodialysis, smart robotics, and nonlinear vibration analysis. His interdisciplinary approach integrates computational methods with experimental validation in additive manufacturing and soft material mechanics.
Ivan C. Christov is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University's School of Mechanical Engineering in West Lafayette, Indiana. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, and multiphase processes, with applications in biomedical engineering, micro/nanotechnology, and advanced materials. He leads the Transport: Modeling, Numerics & Theory laboratory. Education: Ph.D., Northwestern University, 2011 M.S., Northwestern University, 2008 M.S., Texas A&M University, 2007 S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005 Research Interests: Soft hydraulics, computational science, scientific machine learning, nonlinear waves, and fluid-structure interactions. His work spans theoretical modeling, numerical simulation, and experimental validation in complex fluid systems. Publications: Recent work includes studies on flow-rate pressure-drop relations in deformable microchannels, physics-informed neural networks for particle dynamics, and fluid-structure interaction in cerebral aneurysms. Themes include microfluidics, elastohydrodynamics, and rheological characterization of soft materials. Awards: Fulbright U.S. Scholar (2022) Outstanding Engineering Instructor (multiple recognitions) Richard P. Feynman Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013) Labs/Teams: Directs the Transport laboratory at Purdue, focusing on interdisciplinary research in fluid mechanics and computational methods. Collaborates on biomedical fluid dynamics and advanced materials characterization.
Marcus Herrmann is a Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University's School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy. He is also affiliated with the Center for Negative Carbon Emissions. His research focuses on fluid mechanics, multiphase flows, atomization processes, and numerical methods for discontinuous interfaces. Herrmann holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University (2001) and a Diplom (1995). His career includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University's Center for Turbulence Research (CTR) and a visiting scientist position at the University of Technology Eindhoven, Netherlands. He has secured major grants from NASA, NSF, and industry partners like Honeywell, focusing on atomization modeling, supersonic crossflows, and turbulence simulations. Research interests span computational fluid dynamics, multiphase flow simulation, and LES/DNS methodologies. His recent work emphasizes high-fidelity numerical techniques for particle-resolved simulations and phase interface dynamics. Teaching includes courses like MAE 561 (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and MAE 384 (Advanced Math Methods for Engineers). He actively advises students through research and dissertation roles. Notable projects include modeling wax deposition in pipelines and developing novel approaches for interface dynamics in turbulent flows. His work bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with industrial applications like combustion systems and porous media modeling.
Guglielmo Scovazzi is a Professor at Duke University with appointments across multiple departments including the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and as Professor of Mathematics. His interdisciplinary research bridges computational mechanics, scientific computing, and engineering applications. Dr. Scovazzi earned his B.S/M.S. in aerospace engineering (summa cum laude) from Politecnico di Torino (Italy), followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. Prior to joining Duke, he was a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories' Computer Science Research Institute. His research focuses on developing advanced numerical methods for computational mechanics, particularly finite element methods for fluid and solid mechanics. Key areas include multiphase porous media flows, computational methods for materials under extreme conditions, turbulent flow computations, and instability phenomena. His work emphasizes creating accurate computational approaches that reduce design/analysis costs for complex engineering problems involving fluid-structure interactions and transient phenomena in complex geometries. Dr. Scovazzi's most significant recent contribution is the development of the Shifted Boundary Method, an innovative computational framework that enables efficient simulations on complex geometries without requiring boundary-fitted meshes. This method has found applications in geomechanics, energy systems, and resilient infrastructure design. Kavli Fellow, National Academy of Sciences & Kavli Foundation (2018) Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), White House (2017) Early Career Award, U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Scientific Computing Research Program (2014) Dr. Scovazzi teaches multiple courses in computational mechanics including Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis and Introduction to the Finite Element Method. His research has been supported by substantial federal funding, and he actively collaborates across disciplines to address challenging problems in energy, environment, and infrastructure resilience through advanced computational methods.
Leonardo Chamorro is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), with affiliations in Earth Science and Environmental Change, Aerospace Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, renewable energy systems, and turbulence modeling. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota (2010) and has held academic positions at UIUC since 2013, advancing to Full Professor in 2024. Chamorro's work spans experimental and theoretical investigations of wind and hydrokinetic energy, geophysical flows, and particle dynamics. His research group, the Renewable Energy & Turbulent Environment Group (RE-TE-G), explores topics like tidal flow multifractality, vortex dynamics, and bio-inspired robotics. Key achievements include Nature and Lab on a Chip cover articles, and contributions to turbulence modeling for tidal energy systems. He has received awards such as the Best Paper Award in Energies (2018) and recognition for pandemic-related research (2021). His editorial roles include associate editorships at journals like Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy and Frontiers in Energy Research . Chamorro has supervised numerous graduate students and postdocs, contributing to over 150 peer-reviewed publications since 2009.
Yuri Bazilevs is the E. Paul Sorensen Professor of Engineering at Brown University's School of Engineering and Co-Director of the Mechanics of Undersea Science and Engineering Center. His research focuses on computational mechanics, isogeometric analysis, fluid-structure interaction, and high-performance computing. Prior to Brown, he held positions at UC San Diego, where he advanced to Full Professor in 2014 after a rapid tenure. He earned his PhD in 2006 and postdoc training in computational engineering at UT Austin's ICES. Research interests span computational fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, and advanced discretization methods like isogeometric analysis (IGA) and meshfree approaches. He has developed novel formulations for complex phenomena such as underwater explosions, composite material failure, and hypersonic flow dynamics. His work integrates cutting-edge numerical methods with practical engineering applications in aerospace, energy, and biomedical systems. Recent publications highlight advancements in IGA for architected materials, RKPM-based crack modeling, and stabilized formulations for compressible flows. His contributions bridge theoretical mechanics with computational innovation, addressing challenges in multiphysics coupling and large-scale simulations. Collaborations span academia and industry, emphasizing practical validation and real-world impact. Bazilevs' expertise includes variational multiscale methods, peridynamics for fracture mechanics, and immersive particle methods for fluid-structure interaction. His work has been applied to wind turbine aerodynamics, gas turbine optimization, and cardiovascular flow analysis. He actively contributes to computational infrastructure development, such as the tIGAr software framework for IGA automation.
