Dr. Alicia Kim

Biography

Alicia Kim is a Professor in the Structural Engineering Department at the University of California San Diego. Her research primarily focuses on topology optimization, particularly utilizing level set-based methods. She leads the M2DO lab, where researchers develop level set topology optimization methods for multiscale multiphysics problems that result in optimum multifunctional structures. Today's engineering structures require the design to account for multiple functionalities; thus, Alicia emphasizes structural optimizations through a common design platform that incorporates multiphysics considerations. She applies optimization methods to address challenging problems that involve large-scale design variables and complex coupling physics, which often have high computational costs. In her current research, Alicia's focus is on coupled multiscale topology optimization within integrated material-structural systems. She has developed a framework that integrates scales and homogenization, allowing for simultaneous macroscopic and microscopic material optimization, paving the way for tailoring material properties to meet specific functional requirements. Alicia has published nearly 200 journal and conference papers, including award-winning works presented at AIAA conferences and World Congresses on Structural Multidisciplinary Optimization. She serves as a Review Editor for the Structural Multidisciplinary Optimization journal.

Research Interests

Experience