Derek Groen

Derek Groen serves as Reader in Computer Science at Brunel University within the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. He holds additional appointments as an Emeritus Fellow of the EPSRC-funded 2020 Science Network, Fellow of the Software Sustainability Institute, and Visiting Lecturer at University College London's Centre for Computational Science.

His academic background includes an MSc in Grid Computing from the University of Amsterdam (2006) and a PhD in Computational Astrophysics from the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University (2010). Prior to joining Brunel in September 2015 as a Lecturer, he held postdoctoral positions on EU projects MAPPER and CRESTA focused on distributed multiscale computing and exascale high-performance computing.

Groen's research centers on multiscale modeling and high-performance computing with applications spanning forced migration simulation, cerebral bloodflow modeling, and materials science. His work addresses critical challenges in performance optimization, distributed computing frameworks, and verification/validation methodologies for complex computational systems. Recent projects demonstrate strong interdisciplinary connections between computational science, social dynamics, and public health crises.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated migration modeling tools (Flee 3, P-Flee), enhanced verification frameworks (VECMAtk, FabSim3), and pandemic response applications. His work consistently bridges computational rigor with real-world humanitarian challenges, particularly in forced displacement scenarios and public health emergencies.

• EPSRC eCSE funding for domain decomposition research
• Fellow of Software Sustainability Institute
• Co-author of first feature article in Advanced Materials (2014) with BBC/Daily Telegraph coverage
• Emeritus Fellow of 2020 Science Network

Groen has secured significant research funding from EPSRC, European Commission, and United Nations for projects including SEAVEA (2021-2024), ITFLOWS (2020-2023), and STAMINA (2020-2022). His supervision history includes summer projects resulting in peer-reviewed publications, with current PhD opportunities focused on real-time environmental monitoring, migration modeling, and urban planning simulations. He actively leads Science Hackathons to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and maintains strong ties with EU research consortia through projects like ComPat and HIDALGO.

His laboratory work centers on the FabSim automation toolkit and VECMAtk verification framework, supporting a research team that develops scalable solutions for global challenges. Current efforts focus on integrating machine learning with agent-based simulations to improve migration forecasting and pandemic response capabilities.