Francois Blanchette

Francois Blanchette is a Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of California Merced, affiliated with the School of Natural Sciences. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, interfacial flows, sedimentation, and biological systems like penguin huddling. He holds a B.S. from Université de Montréal and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from MIT, where he studied under John Bush. Blanchette has held prior positions at the University of Chicago and UC Santa Barbara before joining UC Merced.

His research explores phenomena such as drop coalescence, stratified flows, and particle dynamics in stratified environments. Notable projects include modeling the Boycott effect in magma chambers and simulating penguin huddling behavior. Blanchette actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, with current advisees working on topics like turbidity currents and parameter recovery in PDE models.

He is involved in educational initiatives like the Cal-Bridge program, fostering underrepresented students in physics and mathematics. Blanchette’s teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning and oral examinations to enhance student engagement and critical thinking.