Dr. Eric Kerrigan

Biography

Eric Kerrigan holds joint appointments in the Departments of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Aeronautics. He obtained his PhD in Control Engineering from the University of Cambridge and received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. His primary area of expertise is Model Predictive Control (MPC), widely used in industry to systematically manage constraints, nonlinear dynamics, and uncertainties. Kerrigan's research focuses on developing advanced numerical optimization methods and novel computer architectures to enable MPC algorithms to efficiently solve complex optimization problems in real-time. His techniques include integrated residual methods for nonlinear problems, local reduction methods for uncertainty, and new classes of derivative-based and derivative-free solvers. Additionally, he is developing multi-objective optimization methods aimed at co-designing entire closed-loop systems while simultaneously optimizing algorithmic, computational, and physical parameters. His work has significant applications, particularly in aerospace, renewable energy, and building energy systems. He has supervised over 30 PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, many of whom now hold tenured academic positions. His research is funded by several sources, including the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the European Commission, and industry partners like Siemens and the European Space Agency.

Research Interests