Fred Stern is an internationally recognized leader in ship hydrodynamics whose research has elevated the UI’s global reputation in naval engineering. He built IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering’s ship hydrodynamics program into a leading center for advanced experiments, modeling, and simulation.

Stern led development of CFDShip-Iowa, a simulation tool that supports the U.S. Navy and other researchers in physical understanding and designing safer, more efficient, and cost-effective vessels. He also oversaw IIHR’s major upgrades to its tow tank and initiated the building of its wave basin facilities. Over his career, he has secured nearly $50 million in research funding and strengthened longstanding partnerships with the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research along with many international collaborations.

His scholarship includes more than 220 journal articles and 300 conference papers, and he has received honors from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.