From July 9 to August 9, Dr. Charbel Bou Mosleh, Chairperson of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), took part in a prestigious academic exchange as a Visiting Scholar at Stanford’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. His one-month scholarly visit enabled him to expand research horizons and collaborate with professionals, addressing complex engineering problems and offering practical solutions to existing ones.
Working closely with Professor Charbel Farhat, the Vivian Church Hoff Professor of Aircraft Structures at Stanford’s School of Engineering, Dr. Bou Mosleh built on a long-standing research partnership. The two scholars had previously co-authored influential studies on reduced-order models (ROMs), including one examining mesh sampling and weighting within the framework of the Petrov-Galerkin ROM. This latest collaboration centered on advancing computational modeling research, with applications ranging from aerodynamics to structural mechanics.
At the heart of his visit was computational fluid dynamics (CFD), a discipline that uses mathematical simulations to predict how vehicles, which can range from airplanes and spacecraft to submarines and racing cars, interact with air and water. Instead of relying on costly prototypes and physical testing in wind or water tunnels, CFD allows researchers to model these conditions virtually. This not only reduces expenses and development time but also makes it possible to explore scenarios that would otherwise be unfeasible or extremely difficult to recreate in real life.
Beyond the scope of his research, Dr. Bou Mosleh had the chance to engage with Stanford students during his visit. He delivered a short course on CFD meshing using the Fidelity Pointwise software, equipping students with essential technical skills that helped them design their own simulations. For him, the experience was particularly rewarding, especially considering that it could enable learners to solve real-world problems in aerospace, automotive, renewable energy and many other fields of engineering.
“What excites me the most is the energy and dedication they have. They always ask tough questions, and they often bring in new ideas. I learn a lot from them,” he explained.
Addressing the multiple ways in which this collaboration might potentially benefit Lebanon’s scientific community, Dr. Bou Mosleh emphasized that projects of this kind serve as living proof that Lebanese scientists and institutions are capable of contributing meaningfully to global research. For NDU in particular, maintaining connections with top-tier institutions of Stanford's caliber aids in enhancing educational curricula, broadening perspectives, and even inspiring students to pursue graduate studies.
Looking ahead, Dr. Bou Mosleh hopes that his journey inspires Lebanese students and young engineers to pursue their dreams despite certain odds. While acknowledging the shortage of support for research infrastructure and international collaboration, he insists that talent and drive are not scarce in Lebanon. Drawing on his own student experience, one marked by uncertainties and research limitations, Dr. Bou Mosleh urges students to remember that success is always attainable with perseverance.
“With dedication, you can achieve success at the highest levels and fulfill your dreams, just like I did,” he concluded.