Franck's research interests are in computational fluid dynamics, both in the development of new computational tools and utilizing these tools to investigate the dynamics and physics of unsteady, turbulent flows. Her lab utilizes a range of computational techniques, including Direct Numerical Simulation, Large-eddy simulation, and Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solvers. These solvers are applied to fundamental problems in fluid mechanics, and in applications areas such as aerodynamic flow control, wind/tidal energy, propulsion or flapping flight. Franck also tries to maintain a connection to industry and apply her computational tools towards the development of emerging technologies.

Franck received her Ph.D. degree from the California Institute of Technology in computational fluid dynamics, where she developed a large-eddy simulation code for unsteady flow separation and control. After Caltech, she was awarded a NSF postdoctoral fellowship which she performed at Brown University to investigate and model the unsteady fluid dynamics in flapping flight. Prior to joining UW–Madison, Franck was on the faculty at Brown for seven years and won various awards for her teaching.