Spotlight on Mechanical Engineering

Student highlight

Name: Maliheh Teimouri
Degree: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Faculty lab: Professor Jeffrey Guasto

Why Tufts?
When I chose Tufts, I was still outside the U.S. and applying to several universities. During my search, I came across Tufts because its research areas closely aligned with my interests. After interviewing with my advisor and learning more about the university’s collaborative and supportive environment, I knew it was the right place for me.

What is your favorite thing about living in the Medford/Somerville area?
I love how vibrant and diverse the Medford/Somerville area is. There’s always something going on—great café, restaurants, local events, and easy access to Boston and Harvard Square. It strikes a nice balance between being lively and still feeling comfortable, community-oriented, and close to campus.

How has your time at Tufts impacted your career journey so far?
My time at Tufts has helped me grow both technically and personally. Beyond gaining technical skills in my field, I’ve learned how to think more critically, communicate my ideas clearly, and stay resilient through the challenges of research.

Best Tufts course you’ve taken so far?
One of the most meaningful courses I’ve taken so far has been Microfluidics. This course introduced me to the unique physics of the microscale. I found it fascinating how different mechanisms, such as diffusion and viscous effects, dominate at small scales and lead to entirely different flow behavior. This perspective has been essential in shaping my research and deepening my interest in microscale phenomena.

What are you researching?
I focus on complex fluids in microfluidic environments. My work bridges disciplines to investigate how viscoelastic fluids behave in the microscale, driven by a deep interest in fluid dynamics and soft matter physics.

Any advice for prospective graduate students?
Be patient with yourself and trust the process. Graduate school is a journey with ups and downs, and growth doesn’t always feel immediate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek support, and take initiative in your research.

Faculty highlight: Professor Jeffrey Guasto

Research interests: Biophysics and soft matter, microscale fluid mechanics and transport phenomena, microfluidic devices

Jeffrey Guasto's research lies at the intersection of engineering, physics, and biology, and aims to understand the emergent transport properties of complex systems through fluid, solid, and statistical mechanics approaches. His work is highly interdisciplinary and motivated by problems in human health, the environment, and soft materials, with diverse applications ranging from biomedical devices to ecosystem dynamics to micro-robotics. The laboratory uses microfluidic devices and high-speed imaging to investigate flagellar locomotion of swimming cells, the transport properties of active suspensions, and porous media and complex fluid flows.