Thermal-Fluids Engineering: Thermodynamics & Hydrostatics

Dr. John Liu is a distinguished educator and researcher at MIT, where he leads the Learning Engineering and Practice (LEAP) Group as Principal Investigator. After earning his B.S. in Applied Physics from Caltech and both S.M. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, he has established himself as an innovator in engineering education and digital learning. His work spans multiple disciplines, including mixed reality, haptic experiences, and workforce development solutions, particularly focusing on addressing the manufacturing skills gap. As former Director of the Principles of Manufacturing MicroMasters program, he has helped transform manufacturing education through digital technology, reaching over 200,000 learners globally. His research interests encompass educational technology, MOOC development, and curriculum design, with particular emphasis on open-ended assessments for scalable education settings. His excellence in education has been recognized through awards including Best Paper at the American Society Engineering Education in 2020. Currently, he leads education and workforce development efforts for MIT's Manufacturing@MIT initiative while continuing to innovate in digital learning approaches.

Dr. Rachel Mok is an Instructor in MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering, bringing a strong academic background and passion for engineering education. After graduating with highest distinction (top 3% of class) with a BSME from Purdue University Northwest in 2011, she completed both her M.S. (2013) and Ph.D. (2019) in Mechanical Engineering at MIT. Her doctoral research focused on the theory and simulation of bacterial dynamics. Her teaching experience began as a graduate teaching assistant for thermal-fluid engineering (Course 2.005), where she discovered her enthusiasm for education. She has industry experience from three summer internships at Northrop Grumman, where she worked on product design and structural analysis using finite element methods. Currently, she develops online courses and educational tools to demonstrate engineering principles, combining her technical expertise with innovative teaching methods. Her commitment to education is evident in her focus on creating engaging learning experiences that make complex engineering concepts accessible to students.

Dr. Daniel Braconnier is a Postdoctoral Associate at MIT's Digital Learning Laboratory, bringing expertise in advanced materials and educational technology. After earning his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Materials Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, he completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering with a Materials Science concentration at Northeastern University. His doctoral research developed groundbreaking thermally conductive polymer composites for additive manufacturing and long-lasting superhydrophobic coatings, with his work being published by the Royal Society of Chemistry

Dr. Pierre Lermusiaux is the Nam Pyo Suh Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Ocean Science and Engineering at MIT, where he has revolutionized ocean modeling and prediction systems. After earning his engineering degree from the University of Liege and advanced degrees from Harvard University, he has established himself as a leader in ocean data assimilation and uncertainty quantification. His groundbreaking research focuses on developing new mathematical models and computational methods for ocean predictions, uncertainty quantification, and autonomous system optimization. His work spans physical oceanography, computational fluid dynamics, and interdisciplinary ocean dynamics. He created innovative techniques for multiscale modeling and data assimilation that help predict ocean dynamics and guide autonomous vehicles. His excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Fulbright Foundation Fellowship, the Wallace Prize at Harvard, and MIT's Ruth and Joel Spira Award for Distinguished Teaching. As director of MIT's Multidisciplinary Simulation, Estimation, and Assimilation Systems Laboratory, he has led many national and international sea exercises and published over 120 refereed papers. His recent work includes developing techniques to aid search and rescue operations at sea, creating neural closure models for dynamical systems, and advancing energy-optimal path planning methods. His research has significant applications in ocean exploration, environmental monitoring, and maritime operations.