Professor Dr. Michael Worster

Biography

Michael Grae Worster is a Professor at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge, where he has been a faculty member since 1992. His academic journey includes roles as an instructor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1983 to 1985, and an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University in the Departments of Engineering Sciences & Applied Mathematics and Chemical Engineering between 1989 and 1992. Professor Worster's research primarily focuses on buoyancy-driven fluid flows and solidification interactions, particularly the evolution of reactive porous media known as mushy layers. His studies are integral to understanding partially solidified regions formed during alloy production, as well as the solidification of magmas and the freezing of seawater that leads to sea ice formation. Recently, his work has emphasized the dynamics of ice in natural environments, including the behaviors of sea ice, permafrost, and glacial ice sheets. He has authored numerous significant publications in top-tier journals, contributing to the understanding of fluid mechanics and solidification processes. He also serves as an editor for the Journal of Fluid Mechanics and lectures at the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences.

Research Interests

Experience