Albert Ratner is professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Ratner Research Group. His present research interests include flame front dynamics, the impact of fuel mixing on combustion instabilities, and the combustion of bio-derived fuels. He has been with the College of Engineering since 2003. Professor Ratner is a senior member, Iowa section program chair, and University of Iowa chapter advisor of the American Institute of Aeronautic and Astronautics. He is also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Combustion Institute, and the Iowa Academy of Science.