Assistant Professor Radojica Pešić is affiliated with the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade. With expertise in chemical engineering and environmental applications, his work focuses on reactor design, mass transfer, and sustainable process optimization. Research spans environmental remediation , process design , and transport phenomena Active in bubble column reactors , CO2 capture , and industrial water treatment Supervised 10+ final theses in chemical engineering processes and environmental systems Recent publications highlight trends in electrochemical pollutant degradation , fluidized bed thermal dynamics , and sustainable material design . His teaching involvement includes Chemical Engineering Laboratory and Process Design courses. Advised research on distillation process optimization (2021), industrial water quality (2020), and PINCH methodology for mass integration (2018) Key methodologies: linear mass balance models , absorption column design , and quality control systems Contact: rpesic@tmf.bg.ac.rs | Office 37, TMF Building | Phone: +381 11/3303611
Frédéric Gibou is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Computer Science, and Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is also a core faculty member in the Computational Science and Engineering program. His academic journey began with a PhD in Applied Mathematics from UCLA, followed by post-doctoral research in the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science at Stanford University. PhD in Applied Mathematics, UCLA Post-doctoral research, Stanford University (Mathematics and Computer Science) Professor Gibou's research sits at the interface between Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering Sciences, focusing on the design of high resolution computational methods for large scale computations. His work spans Computational Materials Science, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Computational Image Analysis. The common thread across these applications is that they involve complex/free boundaries and similar classes of nonlinear partial differential equations. His group develops computational strategies on spatially adaptive grids for massively parallel environments, increasingly incorporating Machine Learning algorithms to solve forward and inverse problems. His research output shows a clear trend toward integrating traditional numerical methods with machine learning approaches, particularly for solving partial differential equations with complex interfaces. The publications reveal a strong focus on developing sharp interface methods, adaptive grid techniques, and novel computational paradigms that can handle multiscale phenomena across various scientific domains. Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship in Mathematics Regent's Junior Faculty Fellowship NSF Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship Robert Sorgenfrey Distinguished Teaching award Professor Gibou leads a multidisciplinary research group called Computational Applied Science Laboratory (CASL), which has strong collaborations with experimentalists at UCSB and worldwide. His group has received substantial funding from various agencies, enabling them to tackle challenging problems in computational science. CASL focuses on designing computational methods on Quad-/Oc-trees grids in the level-set formalism for solving previously intractable problems in science and engineering. The group's work spans Computational Materials Science (including nanostructured polymeric materials and high temperature multicomponent alloys), Computational Fluid Dynamics (including flow over superhydrophobic surfaces, flow in reactive porous media, and multiphase flows), and Computational Image Analysis (including image guided surgery and image segmentation).
Professor Andrew Hrymak is a distinguished academic in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Western University, where he has been a faculty member since 2009. Prior to his appointment at Western, he served as Professor and Department Chair at McMaster University from 1985-2009. During his tenure at Western, he held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Engineering from July 1, 2009 to July 31, 2018. He currently serves as Deputy Director of the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composites Research at Western and has held significant editorial roles including Editor of Computers and Chemical Engineering (2002-2010) and Editor-in-Chief of International Polymer Processing (2004-2016). His educational background includes: PhD in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University (1985) B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University (1980) Professor Hrymak's research focuses on the modeling, design, and optimization of materials processing systems, with particular emphasis on composites processing, injection molding, compression molding, mixing liquid coating flows, and complex rheology. His work integrates computational methods with experimental approaches to address challenges in polymer processing operations. His research spans multiple scales, from microscopic fiber-matrix interactions to macroscopic process modeling. He has made significant contributions to understanding the behavior of complex fluids and multiphase systems, particularly in the context of polymer composites manufacturing. His work often combines computational fluid dynamics with experimental validation to develop predictive models for industrial applications. Professor Hrymak's extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on advancing the science and engineering of polymer processing, with recent work incorporating machine learning approaches to model complex material behaviors. His research has practical applications in automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing industries where composite materials play a critical role. His scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (2010) Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada (2005) Excellence in Process Development Research Award by the Process Development Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2005) As an academic advisor, Professor Hrymak has mentored numerous graduate students through their PhD and Master's research. His current research group includes students working on projects related to structural long-fiber thermoplastics for automotive applications, compression molding simulation, and dip coating processes. His research has been supported by various funding sources including NSERC, Greenfield Global Products, and the Chinese Scholarship Council. He has also served on important committees including the Fellowship Selection Committees of the Chemical Institute of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and was past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Chemical Institute of Canada. Professor Hrymak is actively involved with the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composites Research at Western, where he serves as Deputy Director. His research group collaborates with industry partners on various projects related to composite materials processing and characterization. He has also been instrumental in developing the virtual process chain concept for sheet molding compound composites, which integrates multiple simulation tools to predict final part properties based on processing conditions.
Dr. Vatsal Sanjay is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics , Durham University. He leads the Computational Multiphase Physics (CoMPhy) Lab, focusing on fundamental fluid dynamics research with applications in energy, manufacturing, and natural systems. Education: PhD in Physics (University of Twente, 2022) Research Areas: Soft Matter Singularities, Non-Newtonian Flows, Viscous Free-Surface Flows His work explores topological transitions in fluid systems through continuum simulations , collaborative experiments , and theoretical analysis , addressing phenomena like droplet impact , bubble bursting , and sheet fragmentation . Recent studies span microgravity fluid mechanics , viscoelastic jet formation , and mycofluidic transport in fungal networks. Articles reveal interdisciplinary trends combining fluid dynamics , materials science , and applied physics , with subfields spanning from Worthington jet dynamics to yield-stress fluid rupture . His Ammodo Science Fellowship enables research into fungal internal transport systems , bridging physics and biology. Supervision: Mentors PGR student Sam Walker Labs: Founder of CoMPhy Lab (moving to Durham in 2025) Open Science: Advocates code sharing and transparent research practices
Weimin Han is a Professor and Collegiate Fellow in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Iowa. He holds additional appointments in the Applied Mathematical & Computational Sciences (AMCS) program and the Iowa Technology Institute. His research focuses on numerical analysis, computational mechanics, and variational/hemivariational inequalities, with applications in fluid and solid mechanics. Han earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Maryland (1991), following M.S. (1986) and B.S. (1983) degrees from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Fudan University, respectively. He has served as Chair of the Department of Mathematics (2020–2022) and Director of AMCS (2007–2019). His honors include Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (2023), Simons Fellow (2012), and recognition as a top scholar in Numerical Analysis by Research.com and ScholarGPS. He has organized conferences like the Midwest Numerical Analysis Day 2024 and serves on editorial boards of journals such as Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation . Han’s research has led to groundbreaking work on nonsmooth problems, including contact mechanics and fluid dynamics governed by variational inequalities. His numerical methods address challenges in engineering and biomedical imaging.
Sheng Xu is Associate Professor at Southern Methodist University, specializing in computational fluid mechanics and aerodynamics. He holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University (2002) and previously worked at GE Energy on steam turbine aerodynamics, with postdoctoral research at Cornell and Princeton. Research develops computational methods for biological flows, supersonic turbulence, flow control, and insect/swimmer hydrodynamics. The immersed interface method—a core focus—models solids using singular forces and solves fluid flows with jump conditions. Current applications include dragonfly wing kinematics and particle collision dynamics. Publications in Journal of Computational Physics, SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, and Journal of Fluid Mechanics address turbulent boundary layers, particle collisions, and biological flight mechanics. Recent work advances interface methods for non-smooth boundaries and manufactured solutions for code validation.
Marty Philippe is a Professor at Université Grenoble Alpes and a member of the Équipe Energétique within the LEGI (Laboratoire des Écoulements Géophysiques et Industriels). He collaborates extensively with the CEA-Grenoble on thermal energy intensification and hydrogen storage. His research focuses on heat storage, hydrogen storage in metal hydrides (in collaboration with the Institut Néel), and the influence of wettability on boiling heat transfer. He previously led the Master of Process Engineering at Université Joseph Fourier until 2015 and managed the Energy Team at LEGI until 2014. His work integrates Numerical simulations of boiling flows in concentrated solar plants, Hydrogen storage systems using magnesium hydride, Thermal energy storage with phase change materials (PCMs), and Experimental studies on heat transfer in microchannels and multiphase flows. Key research trends in his articles include advancements in thermal energy storage (e.g., LiBr/H₂O absorption systems), numerical modeling of phase change phenomena, and optimization of heat exchangers for industrial applications. His studies often bridge computational fluid dynamics with experimental validation, addressing challenges in renewable energy systems and thermal management. He has contributed to interdisciplinary projects, such as the development of a prototype for long-term solar heat storage and the design of hydrogen tanks with integrated heat management. His work also explores material science applications, including nanostructured MgH₂ for enhanced hydrogen absorption/desorption. Lab affiliations include the LEGI’s facilities like the tunnel hydrodynamique and soufflerie à bas niveau de turbulence , enabling experimental validation of his computational models.
Professor William Coombs is a Professor in the Department of Engineering at Durham University. He holds a first-class MEng in Civil Engineering (Durham University, 2008) and a PhD in Engineering (Durham University, 2011). His core research focuses on computational mechanics, particularly material constitutive models, finite-deformation mechanics, non-linear finite elements, and the Material Point Method (MPM). He leads projects in offshore geotechnical engineering for renewable energy applications, including cable burial and braced excavations. His work emphasizes open-source tools like the AMPLE MPM code. Grants & Collaborations: EPSRC-funded project EP/W000970/1 (Offshore Cable Burial Depth Analysis) EPSRC project EP/X024849/1 (Braced Excavation Modeling) Leadership in the Aura CDT for Offshore Wind Energy, training 130+ PhD students. Research Interests: Elasto-plasticity and fracture mechanics Non-mesh-based methods (MPM, DG-FEM) Offshore geotechnics and wind energy infrastructure Ice fracture and calving processes Students & Supervision: Supervises research on MPM applications, offshore socio-ecological systems, glacier modeling, and composite material optimization. Accepts new PhD students in aligned fields. Labs & Teams: Leads the Computational Mechanics Research Node within Durham's Engineering Department, fostering collaborations on numerical methods and industrial applications.
Kara Maki is a Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), serving as Director of the Applied and Computational Mathematics MS Program. She holds a BS from the University of New Hampshire and MS and PhD degrees from the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on mathematical modeling of fluid dynamics, particularly tear film dynamics, droplet evaporation, and interfacial phenomena. She has contributed to understanding biological systems like ocular surfaces and respiratory models, as well as engineering applications in microfluidics and materials science. Dr. Maki teaches advanced courses such as Mathematical Modeling I & II, Differential Equations, and supervises graduate research through capstone and thesis programs. Her work bridges applied mathematics with interdisciplinary fields, including collaborations on tear film mechanics, nanoparticle behavior, and viral infection modeling. She actively engages in educational outreach through programs like the SMASH Experience for Girls, promoting STEM education for underrepresented groups. Her publications span topics from evaporation-driven flows to contact lens mechanics, with notable contributions to the Journal of Engineering Mathematics, Journal of Aerosol Science, and Langmuir. While no formal awards are listed, her research has garnered attention for its practical implications in healthcare and engineering. Ongoing projects include computational modeling of biological systems and the development of low-cost microfluidic devices.
Joel Koplik is a Professor of Physics at the City College of New York (CCNY), affiliated with the Levich Institute. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, colloid science, and molecular dynamics simulations, particularly investigating interfacial phenomena, nanoparticle behavior, and thermocapillary migration. Recent work explores active colloids, Janus motors, and self-propulsion mechanisms at fluid interfaces. Key research areas include the dynamics of droplets under electric fields, surfactant effects on interfacial deformation, and the hydrodynamic interactions of colloids in confined geometries. His studies often bridge nanoscale and macroscopic fluid behaviors, with applications in materials science and nanotechnology. Publications highlight advancements in understanding capillary bridges, thermocapillary migration in particle-laden systems, and the design of self-propelled nanomotors. Collaborative projects, such as the 2007 proposal on nanoparticle separation using patterned surfaces, underscore his interest in experimental and computational fluid dynamics. Awards and grants are not explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record reflects sustained contributions to interdisciplinary fluid mechanics and soft matter physics.
Prof. Erik Toorman is a leading academic at the KU Leuven within the Faculty of Engineering Science and Department of Civil Engineering . He serves as Head of the Hydraulics and Geotechnics unit and Program Director for Water Resources Engineering. His work bridges theoretical and applied research in sediment mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, and coastal morphodynamics. Key Roles: Promotor for multiple EU/FWO projects, Lecturer in hydraulic engineering, Scientific advisor to Flanders Hydraulics Research. Research Focus: His expertise spans cohesive/non-cohesive sediment transport , two-phase flow dynamics , fluid mud rheology , and microplastics dispersal . Recent projects include nature-based coastal defense (e.g., Lanice conchilega polychaete), high-concentration sediment modeling, and plastic flux quantification in the Scheldt estuary. Publications reveal a strong emphasis on CFD for ship-mud interactions , validated morphodynamic models , bio-geomorphodynamic approaches , sediment-turbulence coupling . Teaching: Coordinates courses like Hydraulics , Sediment Mechanics , and Research Methods for Civil and Water Resources Engineering programs. Collaborations: Partners include Flanders Hydraulics Research , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , and international dredging consultants (DEME, Jan de Nul). He leads the COSINUS and PLUXIN projects, integrating sediment transport with climate resilience and plastic pollution mitigation.
Federico Lanza is a Research Fellow at the University of Oslo, affiliated with the Porous Media Laboratory (SFF) within the Department of Physics. His research focuses on fluid dynamics in porous media, thermal instabilities, and geophysical flows, particularly simulating phenomena like viscous fingering and lava cooling dynamics. Lanza collaborates with experts such as Beatrice Baldelli, Gaute Linga, and Eirik Grude Flekkøy on projects involving computational modeling of multiphase flow and thermal-viscous interactions. Recent work explores transitions between viscous fingers and foam structures in heterogeneous media, as well as cooling-induced instabilities in Hele-Shaw systems. His contributions bridge geophysics and engineering through advanced numerical simulations and experimental analysis.
Prof. Yanzhong Li is a Professor at the Department of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Cryo and leads research in Thermal Engineering, Cryogenic Engineering, and Fluid Dynamics. His work focuses on cryogenic fluid dynamics, hydrogen liquefaction systems, and phase change phenomena in energy systems. Key affiliations include the Department of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering at Xi'an Jiaotong University, with additional collaborations across institutions such as the State Key Laboratory of Mining Response and Disaster Prevention (Anhui University) and the School of Hydrology and Water Resources (Nanjing University). Co-authored papers with 264 collaborators, including Bengt Sunden and Chengfeng Zhu. Research interests emphasize cryogenic applications in aerospace, thermal systems optimization, and multiphase flow dynamics. Editorial leadership in Cryo reflects his commitment to advancing cryogenic science.
Roberto Verzicco is a Full Professor at the University of Twente's MESA+ Institute, specializing in the Physics of Fluids. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, thermal convection, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), with particular emphasis on non-Newtonian fluids and turbulence. He has contributed to advancing numerical methods for simulating complex fluid systems, including porous media flows and phoretic particle dynamics. Key research areas include direct numerical simulation (DNS), heat and momentum transport, and rheological modeling. His work integrates computational approaches with experimental insights, addressing challenges in melting phenomena, multiphase flows, and parameter identifiability in fluid models. Collaborations with researchers like Detlef Lohse and Roberto Stevens highlight his engagement in international networks. His datasets and presentations underscore contributions to understanding rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection and confined thermal systems. Supervision of 15 works reflects his academic mentorship.
Duc Thach Son Vu is a Research Fellow in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Yale University. His work focuses on computational geosciences, numerical methods, and thermodynamics, with a particular emphasis on multiphase systems and deep learning applications. He is affiliated with the Eisaman Lab, contributing to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of mathematics, earth sciences, and computational tools. His research interests include developing novel algorithms for solving complex equilibrium problems in multiphase mixtures and creating computational frameworks like the SpinDoctor MATLAB toolbox for diffusion MRI simulation. His publications highlight advancements in numerical techniques, graph neural networks, and predictive modeling for geoscientific challenges. No formal awards or grants are listed in the provided materials, but his contributions to the Eisaman Lab and Yale’s research community are notable. He holds a personal email (thachsonnt94@gmail.com) and can be reached via ducthachson.vu@yale.edu for professional inquiries.
