Rumbidzai Nhunduru is a Research Associate at the Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering within Heriot-Watt University's School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, United Kingdom. Her research focuses on experimental and computational analysis of fluid flow in porous media with direct applications to carbon sequestration and enhanced oil recovery operations. Her core expertise spans pore-scale modeling of multiphase flow systems, specializing in fluid displacement mechanisms, wettability effects, and residual trapping phenomena. She employs advanced micromodel experiments and direct numerical simulations to investigate ganglion dynamics, surface roughness impacts, and transport kinetics in geological formations relevant to subsurface energy storage. Analysis of her publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory bridging microscopic flow observations with macroscopic reservoir behavior. Key contributions include quantifying wettability's role in dynamic fluid connectivity and elucidating surface roughness effects on residual trapping—critical insights for optimizing CO2 storage in saline aquifers and improving reservoir simulation accuracy. Dr. Nhunduru collaborates extensively with an international team led by Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, contributing to laser-manufactured microfluidic device development and pore-scale visualization techniques. Her work supports next-generation modeling for subsurface energy applications, with recent datasets on wettability impacts and fluid displacement kinetics publicly archived through Heriot-Watt University.









