Dr. Nicholas Kevlahan

Biography

Nicholas Kevlahan is a Professor of Mathematics at McMaster University, specializing in the theory and computation of fluid turbulence, particularly through numerical methods based on wavelet transforms. His research addresses unresolved problems in turbulence theory, which spans over a century of investigation. A comprehensive understanding of turbulence would benefit various fields, including aerodynamics, combustion, urban pollution modeling, weather forecasting, and climate predictions. Despite the complexity of achieving a complete turbulence theory, significant progress has been realized in recent decades. Kevlahan aims to integrate several breakthroughs to forge new turbulence modeling approaches, including the use of wavelet transforms for data compression and partial differential equation solving, penalization methods for simulating complex geometries, and the study of coherent vortices that govern turbulence dynamics. His work emphasizes the interaction between coherent structures and turbulence's random background, facilitating the calculation of high Reynolds number flows in realistic engineering and geophysical contexts.

Research Interests

Experience