91´ó»ÆѼ

My research interests encompass ocean model development, the development of new data assimilation methods, and the theory of geophysical fluid dynamics and turbulence. My publications are available atÌý and on my .

Graduate students interested in working with me should take, in their first year, the numerical analysis sequence (APPM 5600/5610). Students interested in research in data assimilation should take Mathematical Statistics (STAT 5530) in their first year, and Data Assimilation (APPM 5510) in their first or second year. APPM 5510 is not offered every year, but can be taught via independent study (APPM 6900). Students interested in research in ocean modeling or GFD should take PDEs (APPM 5470) in their first year, and a fluid dynamics or oceanography course in their first or second year. I recommend the ASTR 5400/5410 sequence or ATOC 5051 and ATOC 5060.

Apologia Pro Mathematica Applicantur

What is applied math? Isn’t it true that all of math can be applied to one thing or another? Certainly. Some math is more applicable than others, but in principle all math can be applied to something. Which points out the first thing about applied math: It is not the same as applicable math, otherwise all math would be applied math. It also means that applied math does not consist of a subset of mathematical subjects that has historically been more broadly applied than other areas of math.

What does it mean to "do" applied math? When I am doing applied math I am using math to answer questions in fields other than mathematics. It could be argued that using math to answer questions in fields other than mathematics is not math at all, that it is ‘just’ science. On the other hand, developing new math that might be applied to something someday is not applied math. Applied mathematicians can both apply mathematics and develop applicable mathematics.

Most of science and engineering requires the use mathematics, so are all scientists and engineers applied mathematicians? Who gets to call themselves an applied mathematician? The answers to these questions are typically used as weapons of exclusion, which I am not interested in furnishing. If you are an applied mathematician, I hope the community welcomes you.