Justin E. Kerwin
* 24.03.1931; † 23.05.2021; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
Weinblum Lecturer 1996/97
Experience in Modelling and Computing Flows with Lift
Short Biography
[The following short biography is taken from the invitation letter for the Weinblum Memorial Lecture held by Justin E. Kerwin. Some slight modifications have been made when deemed necessary.]
Justin E. Kerwin, born in 1931, studied Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge where he graduated as with a Bachelor’s degree in 1953 and a Master’s degree in 1954. From 1954 to 1955, he worked at Delft University of Technology. In 1958, he returned to MIT and became Assistant Professor for Naval Architecture in 1960. He earned his PhD in 1961 became Associate Professor in 1964, since 1968 has been teaching and researching as Professor of Naval Architecture at MIT.
His main research interest, apart from teaching ship hydrodynamics and computer application, was always ship hydrodynamics, especially with respect to hydrofoils and propulsion devices. He further worked at the hydrodynamic tank at MIT.
His creative insights were underscored by numerous his publications, including lectures at the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (of which he is a member) and articles in prestigious international journals.
He was honoured with the Joseph H. Linnard Prize for exceptional publications four times (1979, 1983, 1991 and 1995), he received the MIT Graduate Student Council Teaching Award in 1990, and he was awarded the David W. Taylor Medal for outstanding achievements in Naval Architecture in 1992.
Justin E. Kerwin died in 2021.