About
Dr Thomas Howson is an Honorary Lecturer and Researcher at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews. His primary affiliation is with the Mathematical Institute, where he focuses on solar physics and magnetohydrodynamics. His research addresses the coronal heating problem, particularly investigating energy dissipation and wave propagation in the solar corona using advanced numerical MHD models. His work bridges theoretical astrophysics with computational simulations to understand fundamental plasma dynamics in the Sun's atmosphere.
Research Interests: Dr Howson’s work centers on coronal heating mechanisms, Alfvén wave dynamics, and magnetohydrodynamic simulations. He explores how magnetic field structures and wave interactions sustain the extreme temperatures of the solar corona. His studies also encompass solar wind dynamics, plasma turbulence, and the role of numerical methods in accurately modeling transition regions between plasma layers.
Publications: His recent work (2021–2025) reveals a focus on quantifying wave-driven energy deposition, optimizing numerical models for coronal heating, and analyzing the interplay between magnetic topology and plasma behavior. Key themes include the balance between radiative losses and wave heating, and the impact of stochastic structuring on wave propagation in open magnetic fields.
Awards: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the text.
Advising & Grants: No formal advisees or grant details provided. His research is primarily theoretical and computational.
Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the School of Mathematics and Statistics’ Mathematical Institute, leveraging computational resources for MHD modeling. Further details are available on his personal research portal.
