Pooria Pirdavari 

Postdocoral Researcher 

I am currently a Postdoctoral Associate at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL), University of Minnesota. My fascination with fluid flows and their impact on daily life began in high school, inspiring me to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Fluid Mechanics at Urmia University of Technology, Iran. It was during this time that I was first introduced to the world of research. 

My initial research experience involved Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies aimed at improving the performance of commercial household boilers. During my master’s studies at Sahand University of Technology, Iran, I shifted my focus to solar thermal-powered refrigeration systems and thermal energy storage using Phase Change Materials (PCM). 

Driven by a desire to expand my knowledge and gain hands-on experience in experimental fluid mechanics, I pursued a Ph.D. at Baylor University, Texas. My doctoral research explored microscale flow structuring, covering topics such as microfluidic mixing, Marangoni flows, and viscous droplet impacts. 

At SAFL, I am excited to apply my expertise to studying porous media flows, microfluidics, and emulsion flows, with a particular emphasis on microbial and pathogen transport. My research aims to deepen our understanding of these complex fluid interactions and their implications for environmental and health sciences. 

Outside of research, I enjoy hiking, badminton, and video games, which help me stay active, energized, and creatively inspired.