David L. Darmofal

David L. Darmofal is the Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education and the Jerome C. Hunsaker Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT. He leads the Aerospace Computational Science & Engineering (ACSEL) Lab and contributes to the MIT Center for Computational Science & Engineering (CCSE). His research focuses on computational methods for PDEs (especially fluid dynamics) and engineering education innovation. He holds a BS from the University of Michigan and SM/PhD from MIT, with postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan. Notable awards include the MacVicar Faculty Fellow (2004), Earll M. Murman Award (2011), and NSF CAREER Award (1998).

• Education:
  • B.S.E., University of Michigan, 1989
  • S.M., MIT, 1991
  • Ph.D., MIT, 1993
• Affiliations:
  • MIT Schwarzman College of Computing
  • Aerospace Computational Design Laboratory (ACSEL)

His research emphasizes higher-order adaptive finite element methods, space-time mesh adaptation, and turbulence modeling. He teaches courses in computational methods and fluid dynamics. Recent projects include the Metris open-source meshing software and studies on sonic boom propagation. His work bridges computational science and engineering education, with a focus on evidence-based pedagogy.

Awards & Recognition:

• Michael M. Byram Visiting Professorship (2021)
• Common Ground Excellence in Teaching Award (2024)
• AIAA Student Chapter Teaching Awards (2005, 2013)
• Bisplinghoff Fellow & Alumni Merit Award (2012)

Advising & Grants: Over 130 peer-reviewed publications, leadership in MIT’s Common Ground initiative, and mentorship of postdocs/UROPs (e.g., Emily Williams, Lucien Rochery). Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, including DOE projects on physics-informed PDEs and NASA’s CFD Vision 2030 study.