University of Texas at Austin
Optimization, Inversion, Machine Learning, and Uncertainty for Complex Systems

Optimization, Inversion, Machine Learning, and Uncertainty for Complex Systems

The center conducts research broadly in computational science and engineering, on both (1) advanced mathematical, computational, and statistical theory and algorithms for high-dimensional, complex problems, and (2) the applications of these methods to address challenging scientific and engineering problems. Current methodological research is in the areas of inverse problems, uncertainty quantification, Bayesian inference, stochastic optimization and optimal control, machine learning, model reduction, and scalable parallel algorithms for these problems as well as the forward PDE models that underlie them. Scientific problems of current interest include those in (1) geophysics and climate science (including ice sheet dynamics and ice-ocean interaction, mantle convection, seismology, subsurface multiphase flows and poroelasticity, and tsunamis), (2) advanced materials and manufacturing processes (including metamaterials, nanomaterials, and additive manufacturing), and (3) infectious disease spread.

Directors

Omar Ghattas
Omar Ghattas
Uncertainty Quantification Inverse Problems Optimization

Faculty and Research Staff

Postdocs

Students

Staff

Projects:

1. Title: AEOLUS: Advances in Experimental Design, Optimal Control, and Learning for Uncertain Complex Systems
Sponsor: DOE ASCR MMICCs program
Lead PIs: Omar Ghattas, Karen Willcox
Co-PIs: Francis Alexander (Brookhaven), George Biros, Ed Dougherty (TAMU), Max Gunburger, Youssef Marzouk (MIT), Robert Moser, J. Tinsley Oden, John Turner (ORNL), Clayton Webster.
Website: https://aeolus.oden.utexas.edu

2. Title: Learning Optimal Aerodynamic Designs
Sponsor: ARPA-E
PI: Omar Ghattas
Co-PIs: Joaquim Martins (Michigan), Karen Willcox
Website: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/technologies/projects/learning-optimal-aerodynamic-designs

3. Title: Scalable and Efficient Approximation of Hessians for Seismic Inverse Problems
Sponsor: Total E&P
PI: Omar Ghattas

4. Title: Hybrid Discretizations of Wave Equations in Petroleum Exploration
Sponsor: KAUST
PI: Omar Ghattas

5. Title: Finding Optimum Magnetic Fields with Hidden Symmetries
Sponsor: Simons Foundation
PI: Omar Ghattas (collaboration with Princeton, NYU, Cornell, Columbia, Wisconsin, Australian National University, Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, Maryland, Warwick, Colorado–Boulder)
Website: https://hiddensymmetries.princeton.edu

6. Title: Scalable Computational Methods for Large-scale PDE-constrained Stochastic Optimization Under High-dimensional Uncertainty Sponsor: NSF DMS
PI: Peng Chen
Co-PI: Omar Ghattas

7. Title: Computation for the Endless Frontier/ Operations & Maintenance for the Endless Frontier
Sponsor: NSF OAC
PI: Dan Stanzione
Co-PIs: Omar Ghattas, Tommy Minyard, D.K. Panda (Ohio State), and John West
Website: https://frontera-portal.tacc.utexas.edu/

8. Title: Preliminary Design Planning for the Leadership-Class Computing Facility
Sponsor: NSF OAC
PI: Dan Stanzione
Co-PIs: Omar Ghattas, John West

9. Title: RISE of the Machines: Robust, Interpretable, Scalable, Efficient Decision Support
Sponsor: DOE ASCR
Lead PI: Karen Willcox
Co-PIs: Omar Ghattas, John Jakeman (Sandia), Lars Ruthetto (Emory), Bart van Bloemen Waanders (Sandia)

10. Title: Machine Learning for Physics-based Systems: Optimal Approximations, Architectures, and Training
Sponsor: DOD/MURI
PI: Karen Willcox
Co-PIs: Omar Ghattas, Jorge Nocedal (Northwestern), Hayden Schaeffer (CMU), Steve Wright (Wisconsin)