Donald P. Gaver
Donald P. Gaver
Dr. Gaver received his B.S. in Applied Physics from Caltech and B.A. in Physics
from Occidental College in 1982. In 1988 Dr. Gaver was awarded his Ph.D. in
Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Northwestern University, and subsequently
performed post-doctoral research at the School of Medicine at the University of
Chicago. In 1990, Dr. Gaver joined Tulane University, where he is a Professor
and Assistant Chair in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Professor Gaver’s research is focused on computational and experimental investigations of pulmonary surfactant deficiency that afflicts premature infants and adults who suffer from acute respiratory distress syndrome. He and his students investigate the physicochemical interactions that occur between surfactant and lining flows. Through experiments, mathematical analysis and computational modeling, they aim to understand how mechanical ventilation techniques can be used to optimize the physicochemical responses of pulmonary surfactant. Understanding these processes requires the analysis of fluid-structure interactions, physicochemical hydrodynamics and surfactant molecular function. In addition, Professor Gaver collaborates with other faculty members at Tulane to investigate cellular responses related to mechanical stresses on lung tissue. Through these investigations it is hoped that improved therapies can be developed that will minimize ventilator-induced lung injuries.
Professor Gaver is also an active teacher, who enjoys teaching mathematical modeling, fluid mechanics and biofluid mechanics to undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Engineering. He believes that dimensional analysis is of fundamental importance for developing an advanced understanding of physical systems, and his best students appreciate this fact. He enjoys the camaraderie that emanates from an active research/teaching laboratory.
Dr. Gaver has published over 100 papers and abstracts in the archival literature. His research papers are published in fundamental engineering, physics and physiology journals. He has received the National Science Young Investigator Award, and received the Society of Tulane Engineers Lee H. Johnson Award of Excellence in Teaching in 1998. In 2002, Professor Gaver was inducted to the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. With colleagues in Mathematics, Dr. Gaver developed the Center for Computational Sciences (CCS) at Tulane and Xavier Universities, and is presently a co-director of the CCS. This Center is funded by the Louisiana Board of Regents, the DOE and NIH.
Interdisciplinary research and the potential for economic development at the Center for Computational Sciences at Tulane and Xavier Universities
This presentation will describe the research being conducted at the Center for Computational Science at Tulane and Xavier Universities (CCS). The CCS was formed in 2001 to provide the infrastructure for researchers performing computational science projects to discuss ideas, generate collaborations and accelerate the advancement of such projects. Through the CCS, many research projects have been initiated with faculty members at Tulane and Xavier Universities from the departments of mathematics, physics, cell and molecular biology, biomedical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, chemical engineering, biochemistry, computer science and environmental health sciences. This presentation will focus on the development of an NIH Center of Excellence in Biocomputing, and the potential economic impact of CCS-based research projects.