Biography

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D., 2010, Civil Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
  • M.S., 2009, Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
  • B.S., 2004, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China

EXPERIENCE

  • 2023-present: Associate Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston
  • 2021-present: Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston
  • 2021-2023: Graduate Admissions Director, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston
  • 2015-2021: Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston
  • 2012–2015: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
  • 2011–2012: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Johns Hopkins University

AWARDS

  • 2021: W. T. Kittinger Teaching Excellence Award, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston
  • 2020: Andrea Prosperetti Research Computing Faculty Award, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston
  • 2018: Teaching Excellence Award, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston
  • 2016: Larry Witte Fellowship, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston
  • 2010: Corrsin–Kovasznay Outstanding Paper Award, Johns Hopkins University
  • 2004: Joseph Meyerhoff Scholarship, Johns Hopkins University
  • 2000: Panasonic Education Fund Scholarship, University of Science and Technology of China

RESEARCH AREAS

  • Computational fluid dynamics:
    Direct numerical simulation and large-eddy simulation of turbulent flows, simulation of multi-phase flows, high-order computation of nonlinear ocean waves
  • Turbulent flows over complex boundaries:
    Boundary layer flows over waves and terrain, rough- and smooth-wall turbulent boundary layers, flow over compliant surfaces
  • Subgrid-scale modeling in geophysical flows:
    Modeling of the surface roughness scale, subgrid-scale closures for large-eddy simulation
  • Sustainable energy:
    Offshore and onshore wind farm fluid dynamics, energy conversion from tides and waves
  • Environmental fluid mechanics:
    Oil spill dispersion; pollutant transport in atmosphere, ocean and river
  • Ocean optics:
    Light propagation in ocean euphotic zone, effect of optical variability on the marine ecosystem
  • Scientific computing:
    High-performance large-scale parallel computing, scientific visualization of large data set

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND SERVICES

  • Member of American Physical Society, Division of Fluid Dynamics
  • Member of American Geophysical Union
  • Reviewer for: National Science Foundation, Nature Geoscience, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Physics of Fluids, Geophysical Research Letters, Journal of Geophysical Research – Oceans, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Wind Energy, Journal of Turbulence, Energies, Journal of Fluid Engineering, Journal of Wind Engineering & Industrial Aerodynamics, Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Ocean Modelling, Journal of Environmental Engineering, Fluids

TEACHING AT UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

  • Fall 2023: Fluid Dynamics 1 (MECE 6345)
  • Spring 2023: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (MECE 3363)
  • Fall 2022: Fluid Dynamics 1 (MECE 6345)
  • Spring 2022: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (MECE 3363)
  • Fall 2021: Fluid Dynamics 1 (MECE 6345)
  • Summer 2021: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (MECE 3363)
  • Spring 2021: Heat Transfer (MECE 4364)
  • Fall 2020: Fluid Dynamics 1 (MECE 6345)
  • Spring 2020: Fluid Mechanics (MECE 5363)
  • Fall 2019: Fluid Dynamics I (MECE 6345)
  • Spring 2019: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (MECE 3363)
  • Fall 2018: Fluid Dynamics I (MECE 6397)
  • Spring 2018: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (MECE 3363)
  • Fall 2017: Fluid Dynamics I (MECE 6397)
  • Spring 2017: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (MECE 3363)
  • Fall 2016: Fluid Dynamics I (MECE 6397)
  • Spring 2016: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (MECE 3363)
  • Fall 2015: Fluid Dynamics (MECE 7397)
  • Spring 2015: Heat Transfer (MECE 4364)