Willian Assis

Postdoc

Currently, I have been working as a Postdoc at the University of Minnesota (SAFL). I received my B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and at the University of Campinas, both located in Brazil, respectively. My research interests are related to bedform dynamics, particle-fluid interactions, and sediment transport. Specifically, I would like to understand how biological cohesion can affect bedform morphodynamics. The role that different compositions of sediments (non-cohesive sand, cohesive muds, and biologically cohesive extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are formed by microorganisms) can play in bedform evolution and propagation still remains to be investigated and explained. Here at SAFL, we have the opportunity to address the open questions related to it, by performing laboratory experiments and mixing different areas of expertise. Out of the office, I appreciate spending my time reading, exercising, playing video games and watching sports.