We are a multi-disciplinary group that is interested in studying fluid flow phenomena at the intersection with other disciplines, mainly biology and oceanography. We combine experimental and numerical methods to understand the mechanics behind fluid motion within different environments. Our goal is to use this knowledge to learn how the world works as well as to improve currently existing engineering systems.

Monica Martinez Wilhelmus
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
monicamo@engr.ucr.edu
Bourns Hall A313
Curriculum Vitae
Monica is a mechanical engineer with a passion to understand phenomena that occur at the intersection of fluid mechanics, biology, and oceanography. When she is not teaching or working at the Bourns College of Engineering in UCR, she is doing research with the ocean science group at JPL. Always in the mood for coffee, she likes to meet with students and motivate young women to pursue STEM fields.
Graduate Students
Rosalinda Lopez
Rosalinda
Lopez

After obtaining her Astrophysics B.S. from UCLA, Rosalinda joined the Martinez lab at UCR in 2016 and obtained her M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Currently a fifth-year Ph.D. student, Rosalinda is interested in understanding the dispersion trends of sea ice in the last 20 years as rapid changes transform the new Arctic. She is happy to, not only consolidate a line of work in geophysical fluids research, but also to contribute and positively impact the Hispanic community at UCR. When she is not in the lab, you can find her going for a run around campus, at the gym, or at a local coffee shop.

Sara
Sara
Santos

Following her move from Portugal to the U.S.A., Sara got her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Akron and an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University. Her research meets at the interface of engineering and biology, developing a robotic krill to understand the hydrodynamics of metachronal swimming. A sports aficionado, Sara enjoys playing fantasy sports and looking after her blueberry shrimps in her spare time.

Undergraduate Students
  • Scott Leach (2017 - 2019)
  • Steven Espinoza (2017-2019)
  • Jose Flores (2018-2019)
  • Kevin Krause (2017 - 2018)
  • Lorenzo Sanchez (2016 - 2018)
  • Rod Pirniakan (2016 - 2017)
Alumni
  • Scott Leach (2019)
  • Steven Espinoza (2019)
  • Jose Flores (2019)
  • Yair Sanchez (2019)
  • Lorenzo Sanchez (2018)
  • Rod Pirniakan (2017)
  • Kevin Krause (PhD, University of British Columbia)