O'Donnell Postdoctoral Fellow - Profile Michael R. Abdelmalik

Dr. Michael R. Abdelmalik is a Peter O'Donnell, Jr. Postdoctoral Fellow at the Oden Institute. With a Ph.D. from the Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands, as well as Masters’ in both Applied Mathematics and in Mechanical Engineering, Abdelmalik saw the Oden Institute as the logical progression in terms of further advancing his academic career. My research is focused on computational kinetic-theory. This provides a generic modeling paradigm for large systems of interacting particles. Such a modeling paradigm has many applications, including stellar dynamics, social interaction, and the flow of plasma and fluids,” describes Abdelmalik. Some of the fundamental aspects of my research focus on the mathematical derivation of partial differential equations (PDEs) that govern the laws of continua, from the atomistic view of kinetic theory. Understanding the mathematical limiting processes that bridge such continuum and atomistic descriptions, as formulated in Hilbert's sixth problem, has been a long-standing open problem in mathematics. Applied aspects of my research focus on efficient computational technology that cope with the mathematical complexity for kinetic-theory for industrial applications. Such efficiency is fundamental to the investigation of heat transfer for the design of next-generation photolithography machines that I have been involved in with the semiconductor industry. Given the intersection between kinetic theory and computational mechanics in my work, it made sense to apply to join the Oden Institute. Aside from its academic standing as one of the top institutes in computational science and engineering in the world, it offered a rare opportunity to combine the renowned expertise of Drs. Irene Gamba in kinetic theory and Thomas J.R. Hughes in computational mechanics. In the context of this collaboration, I am able to address long-standing questions raised in the fundamental and applied branches of my research. The other major draw to the Institute is its unique interdisciplinary environment – where unparalleled collective expertise exists among its core researchers. Combining that with the openness of the research community and active exchange of ideas within the research centers makes the Oden Institute stand-out. In addition to the synergy of working with Drs. Gamba and Hughes, the constant community interaction with other members - through recurring seminars and research meetings - has been an immense source of inspiration. At the Oden Institute, I have had the privilege of joining spontaneous research discussions with other members of the Institute and/or visiting scientists from all over the world. Such discussions have been an immense source of motivation for me to pursue novel approaches to answer scientific questions pertaining to my research. In some very exciting instances, those discussions morphed into a research collaboration! I recently accepted a tenured assistant professorship position (starting in the summer of 2021) at the Mechanical Engineering department of the Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands. And, I have no doubt that my successful application to become a Peter O'Donnell, Jr. Postdoctoral Fellow at the Oden Institute played a major part in helping me secure this position. Applications for the 2021-2022 Fellowship are open and will run until December 15, 2020. More details can be found on the Oden Institute website: https://www.oden.utexas.edu/programs/postdoc/