This National Science Foundation Project Grant of $274,932 will fund research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University from July 2022 through June 2025 to understand interactions between hair-like microstructures and turbulent wall flows. The research will focus on characterizing the coupled dynamics between arrays of flexible micropillars and background turbulence using advanced multi-scale flow diagnostic tools. Insights gained from simultaneous measurements of micropillar motion and multi-resolution particle image velocimetry will advance understanding of energy transfer pathways in coupled nonlinear systems spanning physiology, aerospace engineering, and energy applications. A graduate student involved in the research will participate in outreach activities targeting underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students in the sciences. The award falls under the NSF Engineering Directorate's $47.041 million Engineering program aimed at fostering innovation and excellence in engineering research and education.