The Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering presents its MMAE 593 seminar series featuring guest speaker Farrukh Alvi, senior associate provost and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Florida State University. Dr. Alvi will present “A Few Interesting Problems in Fluid Dynamics & Career Paths Such Research May Lead To.” This event is open to the public and will take place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 12:45–1:45 p.m. in room 104 of the Rettaliata Engineering Center.

Abstract

Research in Fluid Dynamics: Over the last three decades or so, my research has spanned a wide range of interesting topics in fluid dynamics. As an experimentalist, who often collaborates with computational colleagues, my work covers both subsonic and supersonic flows. Using traditional and advanced diagnostics our research investigates complex, hard-to-interrogate flows to learn more about the fundamental, underlying physics governing their behavior. The talk focuses on three main problems. The first looks at subsonic flow around a cylinder with a slanted base—similar to aircraft fuselages and marked by strong, meandering vortices. The second examines supersonic impinging jets, which are important for VTOL/STOVL aircraft during hover, where they generate high noise and can cause fatigue in structures, as well as other problems. The third problem explores three-dimensional flows caused by shock wave and boundary layer interactions from single and dual fins—a common issue in supersonic and hypersonic air vehicles that affects their performance. If time permits, I will also touch upon the use of active flow control schemes for some of these flows.

(Unexpected) Career Paths: Pursuing research can take you in many directions. My own path, while just one example, shows how starting with basic questions can lead to unexpected opportunities. As you undertake more complex and significant challenges, collaboration with larger teams and partners often becomes necessary. This can lead to personal and professional growth and open new career options with broader impacts, options you might not have considered at the beginning of graduate school or early in your career.

Biography

Farrukh S. Alvi is the Don Fuqua Eminent Scholar and Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. He also serves as the Senior Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation at Florida State University, where he helps drive major institutional projects and partnerships. He recently completed an IPA assignment as the Director for Institutional Research Capacity and Strategic Growth at the Basic Research Office under the Office of Undersecretary of Defense (Research & Engineering). Previously, Farrukh served as the Senior/Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies at the FAMU- FSU College of Engineering for 6 years including as the Interim Dean in 2022. In 2023, he co-led Florida State University’s development and funding of a landmark $160M+ proposal for the Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, and Education (InSPIRE), ultimately serving as its founding Executive Director. He also leads, as principal investigator, a multi-institutional NSF Engines proposal to create the Florida Advanced Manufacturing Engine (FLAME), which was recently selected as a semifinalist, He is the founding director of the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-propulsion (FCAAP), a multi-university, state-wide research, training and education center he helped establish in 2008. Farrukh received his B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from UC Berkeley and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State. His research focuses on fundamental phenomenon, primarily in compressible flows; active flow and noise control, including the development and use of micro-fluidic actuators; and the development and use of advanced diagnostics. He holds numerous patents in his areas of research. His research has been funded by NSF, AFOSR, ONR, DARPA, ARO and industry. He has mentored more than 60 PhD and MS students, post-doctoral researchers, and scientists. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Fellow of ASME, an Associate Fellow of AIAA and has served as an Associate Editor of the AIAA Journal.