John Palmore

Background

About John Palmore

I’ve always been drawn to the frontiers of science and technology, which led me to aerospace engineering as an undergraduate and continued through my PhD at Cornell. While my current appointment is in mechanical engineering, my research roots and professional identity are deeply tied to aerospace, especially in the domain of fluid dynamics. Early on, I sought out research that felt novel, something I couldn’t find replicated across many labs, and that instinct brought me into the world of multiphase fluid flows. It’s a scientific area rather than a purely technological one, and I’ve stayed grounded in it ever since. At its core, my work seeks to understand how different fluid phases interact, such as droplets in air, bubbles in water, dust in atmosphere. I develop computational and theoretical models to simulate these interactions, then apply that understanding across diverse problems. In one project, I collaborate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to simulate how sound waves and bubble curtains can deter invasive fish species. In another, I analyze combustion and fuel injection in aerospace engines, where droplets vaporize and ignite inside turbulent airflows. Though the applications vary, the common thread is how fluids in multiple phases shape, disrupt, or sustain these systems. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential in my approach. I often work with experimentalists to connect theoretical models to real-world data, which helps translate foundational research into functional solutions. My goal is for our lab to become a campus hub for multiphase fluid expertise, whether the application is environmental, biomedical, or aerospace. I envision a future where we expand our scope while preserving the intellectual throughline of fluid mechanics at the center. I’m also deeply invested in mentoring. What matters most to me is not just the research output, but witnessing the growth of my students, seeing someone who came in unsure eventually leave with confidence, new skills, and a trajectory of their own. That sense of transformation is a source of real pride.