About me

Dr. Francesco Ambrogi earned his PhD from Queen’s University in December 2023, supervised by Prof. Ugo Piomelli. During his doctoral studies, he served as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Turbulence Simulation and Modelling (TSM) Laboratory and as a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, instructing second-year engineering students in Fluid Mechanics. His research concentrated on computational and theoretical analyses of turbulent boundary layers (TBLs) under pressure gradients, with a particular focus on simulating the effects of strong, unsteady adverse and favorable pressure gradients on wall-bounded flows. Following a brief postdoctoral tenure at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Ambrogi joined Queen’s University’s Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, where he currently teaches thermo-fluids courses.

Beyond academia, Dr. Ambrogi has a keen interest in astronomy and literature. A member of the Rotary Club of Kingston since June 2024, following three years with the Kingston Rotaract Club, he contributes to the Youth and Social Media Committees. Passionate about engineering education, he also enjoys outdoor pursuits.

Download my CV.

Interests
  • Engineering education
  • Turbulent Boundary Layers
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Unsteady flow separation
Education

  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, 2024

    Queen's University

  • M.S. in Energy and Nuclear Engineering, 2019

    Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 2015

    University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Skills

Numerical Simulation
Data Analysis
Higher education

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Adjunct assistant professor
Queen’s University
Jan 2023 – Present Kingston (ON)

Since the winter term 2023 I have been teaching thermo-fluids courses to second and third year engineering students:

  • MECH 241 - Fluid Mechanics I
  • MREN 230 - Thermodynamics and heat transfer
  • MREN 241 - Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Power
  • MECH 330 - Applied Thermodynamics II
 
 
 
 
 
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
MPI Lab @ University of Waterloo
Jun 2024 – Sep 2024 Waterloo (ON)
Within the MPI Lab we perform Direct Numerical and Large Eddy Simulations of Turbulent Flows in different physical conditions. My research focuses on particle-laden turbulent flows with a specific interest on (i) the description of heated particles in an Eulerian-Eulerian framework, and (ii) the investigation of surface particles clustering.
 
 
 
 
 
Adjunct professor
Royal Military College of Canada
Aug 2023 – Jun 2024 Kingston (ON)

Since the fall term 2023 I have been the primary instructor for the following courses:

  • MEE311 Fluid Mechanics
  • MEE315 Fluid Dynamics
  • MEE313 Advanced fluid mechanics
 
 
 
 
 
Teaching Assistant
Queen’s University
Jan 2019 – Dec 2023 Kingston (ON)

Since the beginning of my PhD I have been assigned as teaching assistant for several courses at Queen’s such as:

  • MECH398 Mechanical Engineering Laboratory I
  • MECH241 Fluid Mechanics I
  • MECH341 Fluid Mechanics II
 
 
 
 
 
Graduate Research Assistant
TSM Lab @ Queen’s University
Sep 2019 – Dec 2023 Kingston (ON)
Within the TSM Lab we perform Direct Numerical and Large Eddy Simulations of Turbulent Flows in different physical conditions and with several geometries. My research focuses on simulating Turbulent Boundary layers under strong pressure gradients and separated flows.
 
 
 
 
 
Graduate Intern
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Sep 2018 – Mar 2019 Madison (WI)

Licenses & Awards

Golden Apple Award - 2025
Engineering Society at Queen’s University Apr 2025
The Golden Apple was created in December of 1970 by the Engineering Society Development Committee as a means for undergraduate students to honor faculty members.
Silver Wrench Award - 2025
Queen’s University Mar 2025
Presented on an annual basis, this award recognizes the instructor who displays the most interest and enthusiasm towards the Queen’s Mechanical and Materials Engineering program as voted by all years (2nd, 3rd and 4th ).
Silver Wrench Award - 2024
Queen’s University Mar 2024
Presented on an annual basis, this award recognizes the instructor who displays the most interest and enthusiasm towards the Queen’s Mechanical and Materials Engineering program as voted by all years (2nd, 3rd and 4th ).
Silver Wrench Award - 2023
Queen’s University Mar 2023
Presented on an annual basis, this award recognizes the instructor who displays the most interest and enthusiasm towards the Queen’s Mechanical and Materials Engineering program as voted by all years (2nd, 3rd and 4th ).
Bronze Wrench Award - 2022
Queen’s University Jul 2022
Presented on an annual basis, this award recognizes a teaching assistant of Mechanical and Materials Engineering for their contribution to the undergraduate class as voted by all years (2nd, 3rd and 4th ).
Dean’s Teaching Assistant Award (DTA) - 2022
Queen’s University May 2022
This award recognizes exceptional Teaching Assistants who have been nominated by their departments.
Graduation to Professional Engineer
University of Bologna Sep 2019
State Exam Italian Legislation - Industrial Engineering

Blog

I received the 2025 Golden Apple Award.
On April 2025 I received the Golden Apple Award..
Dr. Ambrogi Francesco
Apr 6, 2025 2 min read University
I received the 2025 Golden Apple Award.
The marvel of shark-skin for fluid mechanics
In this short video, Gianmarco D’Alessandro (lecturer at RMIT university) and I discuss the marvel of shark-skin for fluid mechanics and its implications on aerodynamic applications.
Dr. Ambrogi Francesco
Apr 5, 2025 1 min read University
The marvel of shark-skin for fluid mechanics
Joining Queen's as an assistant professor
As of May 1st 2025 I will join the mechanical and materials engineering department at Queen’s University as a tenure-track assistant professor.
Dr. Ambrogi Francesco
Apr 4, 2025 2 min read University
Joining Queen's as an assistant professor
I was awarded the 2025 Silver Wrench Award by the MME Department.
On March 2025 I received the 2025 Silver Wrench award.
Dr. Ambrogi Francesco
Mar 11, 2025 1 min read University
I was awarded the 2025 Silver Wrench Award by the MME Department.
I was awarded the 2024 Silver Wrench Award by the MME Department.
On March 2024 I received the 2024 Silver Wrench award.
Dr. Ambrogi Francesco
Apr 1, 2024 1 min read University
I was awarded the 2024 Silver Wrench Award by the MME Department.
See all posts

Projects

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All Fun Turbulence
ARC4CFD
Advanced Research Computing for Computational Fluid Dynamics
ARC4CFD
UAPG-TBL Simulation
Unsteady Pressure Gradient Turbulent Boundary Layer Simulation
UAPG-TBL Simulation
PyN
An undergraduate level set of Numerical Analysis problems using Python. Have fun with PyN.
PyN

Recent & Upcoming Talks

Influence of time-varying freestream conditions on the dynamics of unsteady boundary-layer separation
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Research Seminar series
Oct 22, 2024 10:00 AM — 11:00 AM Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston (Hybrid)
F. Ambrogi
Learn more
Influence of time-varying freestream conditions on the dynamics of unsteady boundary-layer separation
Characterization of a unsteady flow separation on a turbulent boundary layer
Intelligent and Bio-inspired Mechanics seminar series
Apr 9, 2024 9:30 AM — 9:45 AM Westlake University, China (Online)
F. Ambrogi
Learn more
Characterization of a unsteady flow separation on a turbulent boundary layer
Influence of time-varying freestream conditions on unsteady separation in a turbulent boundary layer
76th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics.
Nov 19, 2023 9:30 AM — Nov 21, 2023 9:45 AM Walter E. Washington Convention Center - Washington, DC
F. Ambrogi, U. Piomelli, and D. E. Rival
Learn more
Influence of time-varying freestream conditions on unsteady separation in a turbulent boundary layer
Advection dynamics of a turbulent separation bubble
14th International ERCOFTAC ETMM14.
Sep 6, 2023 9:30 AM — Sep 8, 2023 9:45 AM Barcelona, Spain
F. Ambrogi, U. Piomelli, and D. E. Rival
Learn more
Advection dynamics of a turbulent separation bubble
Frequency dependence of unsteady separation in a turbulent boundary layer
75th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics.
Nov 20, 2022 9:30 AM — Nov 22, 2022 9:45 AM Indiana Convention Center - Indianapolis, Indiana
F. Ambrogi, U. Piomelli, and D. E. Rival
Learn more
Frequency dependence of unsteady separation in a turbulent boundary layer
See all events

Recent Publications

Hickey JP, Dr. Ambrogi Francesco (2024). ARC4CFD: Learning how to leverage High-Performance Computing with Computational Fluid Dynamics (in review). In JOSE.

PDF

Dr. Ambrogi Francesco, Ugo Piomelli, David E. Rival (2024). Influence of Time-Varying Freestream Conditions on the Dynamics of Unsteady Boundary-Layer Separation. In AIAA Journal.

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Claire Y. MacDougall, Ugo Piomelli, Dr. Ambrogi Francesco (2023). Evaluation of Turbulence Models in Unsteady Separation. In Fluids.

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Dr. Ambrogi Francesco, Ugo Piomelli, David E. Rival (2023). Characterization of unsteady separation in a turbulent boundary layer: Reynolds stresses and flow dynamics. In Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

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Dr. Ambrogi Francesco, Ugo Piomelli, David E. Rival (2022). Characterization of unsteady separation in a turbulent boundary layer: mean and phase-averaged flow. In Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

PDF Cite DOI

Dr. Ambrogi Francesco, Ugo Piomelli, David E. Rival (2022). Dynamics of turbulent kinetic energy advection in a turbulent boundary layer under unsteady pressure gradients. In DLES-13.

Cite DOI

Dr. Ambrogi Francesco, Ugo Piomelli, David E. Rival (2022). Large-eddy simulations of a turbulent boundary layer with unsteady pressure gradients. In TSFP-12.

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Popular Topics

Academic CFD Fluid mechanics Fun preface previous Turbulence

Contact

  • ambrogifra@gmail.com
  • 130 Stuart St, Kingston, true
  • Enter the McLaughlin building, my office is in room 230.
  • By appointment