Ronald Ming‑Cho So is Emeritus Chair and Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), where he led the department from 1995 to 2005. A distinguished scholar in fluid dynamics, aeroacoustics, flow-induced vibration, and turbulence modeling, Prof So has received over US $12 million in research funding from sources including NSF, NASA (Langley, Lewis, Ames), the US Department of Energy and Defense, Hong Kong's RGC, and industry partners such as GE and Garrett.
His most notable research contributions involve advanced modeling using the Boltzmann and Lattice Boltzmann methods. In 2024, he published groundbreaking work in IgMin Research on relaxing the Mach‑number assumptions in Lattice Boltzmann simulations—demonstrating improved accuracy in aeroacoustics and compressible flows with shock handling. That study—“Lattice Boltzmann Method without Invoking the M << 1 Assumption”—has garnered substantial attention and downloads, confirming his impact.
Prof So’s academic eminence is further evidenced by numerous fellowships and honors: he’s a Commonwealth Scholar, Asian Academy Hall of Fame inductee (2006), and fellow of major engineering bodies including AIAA, ASME, IMechE, RAeS, and HKIE. His editorial leadership spans roles such as Associate and Advisory Editor across journals like AIAA Journal, Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics, International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, and International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow.
Prof So’s exceptional career bridges theoretical innovation and practical application, mentoring generations at PolyU and shaping global discourse in computational fluid mechanics and aeroacoustics.

Professor Ronald Ming-Cho So's research interests lie at the intersection of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), aeroacoustics, and turbulence modeling, with a special focus on flow-induced vibrations and compressible fluid flows. A key area of his expertise is the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), where he has contributed significantly by extending its applicability beyond the low Mach number regime, enhancing its accuracy for simulating shock waves and acoustic propagation. His work also encompasses thermal-fluid sciences, Boltzmann transport theory, and aerodynamics, with applications in aerospace, mechanical, and environmental engineering. He is particularly known for developing physics-based numerical models for turbulent flows and their coupling with acoustic phenomena. His interdisciplinary approach bridges the gap between theoretical physics and engineering applications, aiming to improve computational efficiency and predictive capabilities. Professor So’s research supports innovation in aircraft design, heat transfer systems, and noise control technologies through both academic and industrial collaborations.