High-Performance Computing

Faculty in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Virginia are advancing the frontiers of High-Performance Computing (HPC) through diverse and interdisciplinary research. Their work spans the development of cutting-edge computational fluid dynamics algorithms for simulating complex, high-speed flows, and the creation of large-scale, parallelized frameworks for modeling plasma dynamics in space propulsion systems. HPC is also central to bio-inspired fluid mechanics research, where high-fidelity simulations uncover the aerodynamics of natural flyers and swimmers. In biomechanics, researchers employ HPC to simulate traumatic brain injuries, enabling the design of safer protective equipment through detailed modeling of tissue responses under extreme conditions. Across these efforts, the integration of HPC with experimental data and machine learning is driving innovation in aerospace, biomedical, and mechanical systems. 

Core Faculty

Silvia Salinas Blemker, Ph.D.

Professor, Biomedical Engineering Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Courtesy)

Silvia Blemker uses experimental and computational models to characterize the relationships between muscle structure, biomechanical properties, biology, and function in order to develop new treatments for musculoskeletal disease
Google Scholar UVA M3 Lab
Email ssblemker@virginia.edu

Chen Cui

Assistant Professor

Chen Cui's current research interests are on spacecraft electric propulsion, space environment, and computational plasma physics. Chen Cui's work focuses on the high-fidelity, fully kinetic modeling of plasma dynamics in spacecraft electric propulsion thrusters, solar wind, and other applications related to low-temperature plasmas.
Google Scholar
Email cuichen@virginia.edu

Haibo Dong

Professor Director of Undergraduate Aerospace Engineering

Prior to joining UVA as an Associate Professor in 2012, Dr. Dong was an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Wright State University. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering from UCLA in 2003. After completing his doctorate, he spent three years as a post-doctoral researcher at the George Washington University.
Google Scholar Flow Simulation Research Group (FSRG) Link Lab
Email hd6q@virginia.edu
Phone (434) 243-4098

Xinfeng Gao

Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Xinfeng Gao's research is focused on the development of high-performance computing (HPC) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) algorithms for a wide range of applications in aerospace and mechanical engineering, involving shock waves, turbulence, combustion, plasma, and multifluids. 

 
CFD & Propulsion Laboratory
Email x.gao@virginia.edu

Matthew B. Panzer

Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Post-Doctoral Affairs, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Professor of Biomedical Engineering (Courtesy) Deputy Director, Center for Applied Biomechanics

Dr. Panzer is the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Post-Doctoral Affairs for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, a Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia, and the Deputy Director at the Center for Applied Biomechanics.
Google Scholar University of Virginia, Center for Applied Biomechanics
Email panzer@virginia.edu
Phone (434) 297-8062