Online Forum on the Societal Impact of Fluid Dynamics

Series on the Societal Impact of Fluid Dynamics 

The Online Forum on the Societal Impact of Fluid Dynamics is a bi-annual webinar series organized by the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics. Designed to reach a global audience, the series highlights how fluid mechanics research tackles critical, real-world challenges - from clean energy transitions to wildfire spread modeling. Content, speakers, and panelists are curated by the DFD Executive Committee and overseen by the APS DFD Media and Science Relations Committee.

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Past Webinar Recordings

April 2026 - "Fluid Dynamics of Wildfire Spread"

Increases in both the number and scale of wildfires and expansion of the wildland-urban interface have made wildfire prediction and management key areas where new research can have a significant societal impact. This panel will bring together experts to discuss the role that fluid dynamics plays in wildfire science and how fluid dynamicists can contribute to solving this pressing challenge.

🎥 View the full recording on the American Physical Society YouTube channel.


Event Details
  • Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
  • Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Panelists
  • Tirtha Banerjee, University of California, Irvine
  • Jeffrey Koseff, Stanford University
  • Neda Yaghoobian, Florida State University
Moderators & Organizers
  • Claudia Cenedese, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, DFD Executive Committee Member-at-Large
  • Nicholas Ouellette, Stanford University, DFD Executive Committee Member-at-Large

November 2025 - "Tropical Cyclones and Climate: Insights from Fluid Dynamics"

Fluid dynamics plays a vital role in understanding how global warming influences tropical cyclones—from their formation and structure to the risks they pose to communities around the world. In this installment of the DFD Webinar Series on the Societal Impact of Fluid Dynamics, leading experts discuss advances in forecasting, preparedness, and emerging research shaping the future of hurricane and typhoon science.

🎥 View the full recording on the American Physical Society YouTube channel.


Event Details
  • Date: Monday, November 3, 2025
  • Time: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. ET
Panelists
  • Dr. Suzana Camargo, Professor of Climate, Columbia University
    Expert in extreme events and tropical cyclones; Fellow of the American Geophysical Union
  • Dr. Pinaki Chakraborty, Professor, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
    Specialist in turbulent, atmospheric, and granular flows
  • Dr. Kerry Emanuel, Professor of Atmospheric Science, MIT
    Pioneer in hurricane–climate research; Member of the National Academy of Sciences
  • Dr. Morgan O’Neill, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
    Researcher focused on severe convection and hurricane physics
Moderators & Organizers
  • Dr. Amy Shen, DFD Member-at-Large, Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology
  • Dr. Amrapalli Garanaik, DFD Early-Career Member-at-Large, Oregon State University

  • Dr. Jackie Chen, DFD Member-at-Large, Sandia National Laboratories

Overview

Understanding the interplay between global warming and tropical cyclones is a rapidly evolving challenge—and one in which fluid dynamics provides essential insight. This panel explores how multiphase flow, thermodynamics, ocean–atmosphere interactions, and large-scale circulation govern the behavior of these powerful storms.

The discussion highlights:

  • Advances in hurricane and typhoon forecasting

  • Preparedness and resilience strategies

  • Emerging research frontiers in tropical cyclone science

  • Opportunities for fluid dynamicists to contribute to societal challenges

Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how cutting-edge fluid dynamics research helps communities better anticipate and respond to one of the most urgent climate-related threats of our time.