Karthik Duraisamy, an aerospace engineer specializing in the development of theories and algorithms for computational modeling of complex physical systems, will serve as the new director of the Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery and Engineering.
His three-year appointment begins January 1.
The Office of the Vice President for Research created MICDE in 2013, and since its inception, the institute has cemented the University of Michigan as a national leader in computer science and research.
As Director, Duraisamy will lead efforts to expand the development and innovative use of mathematical algorithms and models on high-performance computing, with the ultimate goal of supporting fundamental and applied research and development across a wide range of disciplines in science and technology.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead MICDE, especially at a time when many new and exciting ideas are emerging in computer science,” said Duraisamy, professor of aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering.
“I look forward to working with the incredible talent we have at UM to push the boundaries of computer science and more firmly establish the role of computer science in solving the grand challenges facing humanity.”
Duraisamy received a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland, and he joined UM in 2013 as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering. In the same year, he worked with colleagues from across UM to support the launch of MICDE.
Duraisamy has been deputy director of MICDE since 2016 and works closely with Krishna Garikipati, who will step down this month after six years as institute director. Under Garikipati’s leadership, the depth and breadth of research and teaching in computational science has been greatly expanded.
Under Garikipati’s leadership, MICDE has enabled the establishment of research centers focused on data-driven computational physics, scientific software, and network/storage-enabled computing.
These centers and other powerful works, such as B. Research into how computer science can be used to control tobacco use was funded by significant federal and industry grants secured by MICDE. The institute has also catalyzed more than 25 research projects in areas ranging from quantum computing and cancer modeling to galaxy formation and climate modeling.
Duraisamy will retain his faculty role at the College of Engineering and continue to pursue the Ph.D. head of the university. in Scientific Computing Program, which MICDE has overseen since 2013. Program grew from 20 to 150 students, with students at nine UM schools and colleges.
An overarching theme in Duraisamy’s research is the use of computational methods to answer scientific and engineering questions at the desired level of sophistication, with an understanding of the impact of model uncertainties on the predicted outcomes.
Duraisamy was the principal researcher of ConFlux, a project that led to the development of a novel computing ecosystem specifically designed to enable high-performance computing clusters to seamlessly communicate and interact at speed with data-intensive operations. He also directs the Air Force Center of Excellence, a multi-university research collaboration aimed at enabling efficient prediction of instabilities in liquid-fueled rocket combustion systems.
“The Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery and Engineering has become a model among our peer institutions because of its ability to catalyze research and foster collaborations across a variety of disciplines,” said Rebecca Cunningham, vice president of research.
“The tremendous progress that the Institute has demonstrated over the past nine years is a direct reflection of its talented faculty and staff, and I am confident that Professor Duraisamy will help lead this team to even greater success in the future.”
