CEE professor Mark Stacey has been teaching at Berkeley since 1999. He teaches classes in the general area of environmental fluid mechanics. His research interests focus on the physics of fluids in the natural environment and the connection between fluid mechanics and biology. He is part of the Environmental Fluid Mechanics Research Group at Berkeley. The group’s goal is to better understand water in the natural environment and its interaction with humans, plants, and animals. The focus is on the dynamic processes governing the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento Delta region.

Professor Minute: Interview with CEE professor Mark Stacey

What do you do to forget about engineering and/or work ?

Sleep deprivation is a wonderful thing; Not only do I forget about engineering; I forget about a variety of other things as well. I’ve got a two-year-old at home, so it’s easy to think about other things. Although I have based several fluid mechanics exam questions on bathtub toys.

What is your personal recipe for success?

Never thinking I’m successful. OK, actually I suppose it would be finding a balance, both between work, family, and myself, and between the variety of responsibilities I face at work.

What can a student do to get through your hardest class?

Take advantage of the resources available, particularly office hours. Office hours provide a personal and interactive environment where individual issues and questions can be addressed much more effectively than in lecture.

Why did you become a professor?

I’m naturally curious and I get excited about new problems all the time. There aren’t too many professions where you’re actually encouraged to pursue these ideas and explore things that interest you.

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