Methma Rajamuni

Methma Rajamuni is an Associate Lecturer at the School of Science, UNSW Canberra, with prior roles as Research Fellow (2023-2025) and Assistant Lecturer (2025-present). She holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Monash University, an MSc in Applied Mathematics from Texas Tech University, and a BSc in Engineering from the University of Peradeniya. Her research spans computational fluid dynamics, fluid-structure interaction, and ember storm dynamics during bushfires, with expertise in numerical methods like immersed boundary and lattice Boltzmann techniques.

• Education:
  • PhD, Mechanical Engineering (Monash University)
  • MSc by Research, Applied Mathematics (Texas Tech University, USA)
  • BSc, Engineering (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Research Interests: Methma specializes in fluid-structure interactions, particularly vortex-induced vibrations of bluff bodies and ember storm modeling in wildland-urban interfaces. Her work integrates bio-inspired insights with advanced numerical methods (immersed boundary, spectral element) to solve environmental and mechanical challenges. She has developed stable computational techniques for simulating complex systems like bushfire embers and vibrating cylinders.

Recent Publications show a focus on boiling heat transfer, FSI acoustics, and microchannel cooling. Key trends include optimizing heat transfer via flow-induced vibrations and modeling ember storm dynamics using lattice Boltzmann methods.

Scientific Awards:

• 2023: NCI Adaptor Allocation Grant ($12K) and UNSW Seed Funding ($27K)
• 2018: Monash Engineering Women's Leadership Award
• 2014: 1st Place in Annual Graduate Student Poster Competition
• 2010: Manamperi Engineering Award (Sri Lanka)

Teaching & Supervision: Methma lectures in Rotorcraft Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, and Engineering Mathematics. She supervises PhD candidate Mohammed Ibrahim on microchannel boiling enhancement projects.