Paul F. Linden

Professor and Chair, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Experimental and theoretical study of dynamic flows, and environmental engineering.

Professor Linden's research has applications in geophysical, environmental and industrial engineering. The flows encountered in natural and industrial contexts are usually turbulent and have variations in density which produce strong buoyancy forces. Linden's research focuses on the physical processes involved to obtain a greater understanding of the underlying principles governing these flows. He has applied his work in fluid dynamics to environmental engineering to create more "energy efficient" buildings. Recently, Linden began studying the flows and vortices to fish and birds to determine how they propel themselves through the air.

Capsule Bio:
Paul Linden is the chair of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at the UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering, where he is the Blasker Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering. He also is director of UCSD's Environment and Sustainability Initiative and a fellow of both the American Physical Society and the Royal Meteorological Society. Prior to joining UCSD in 1998, Linden was a faculty member in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1971. Linden has more than 160 publications in peer-reviewed journals on the topics of geophysical, environmental and industrial fluid dynamics. He has received a great deal of recognition for the application of his work in fluid dynamics to environmental engineering to create more "energy efficient" buildings - many of which are located in the United Kingdom. He is a member of the scientific advisory board for San Diego County.