New Applied Math Faculty: Vincent Duchene and Tiffany Shaw
The Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics Department is pleased to welcome two new assistant professors of Applied Mathematics: Vincent Duchene and Tiffany Shaw.
Prof. Vincent Duchêne is the new Chu Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics.
He received his Ph.D. in Mathematics, in 2011, from the Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris (France), under the supervision of Prof. David Lannes. His work focused mainly on mathematical issues concerning models that arise in Oceanography. In particular, he studied the propagation of internal waves at the interface of two layers of fluids, such as fresh and salted water. These waves are able to carry a large amount of energy, affecting everything from ships and submarines, drilling rigs and undersea cables, and the ecosystem of the ocean. Prof. Duchêne developed and rigorously justified mathematical models that seek to explain the mechanisms at stake, and the influence of various parameters on the system.
Together with Prof. Michael Weinstein and Prof. Jeremy Marzuola, he also studied the scattering properties of materials composed of microstructures, such as photonic crystals (a class of dielectrics which are the photonic analogues of semiconductors). These materials have recently received considerable attention, as they open up variety of possible applications. A very precise theoretical understanding of their behavior is crucial in order to employ the high-technology potential of such materials. Prof. Duchêne and Prof. Weinstein studied in particular the influence of singularities and defects in the microstructure on the large-scale behavior of the material.
The Chu Assistant Professorship is a non-tenure 2-year position. During his first semester in the APAM Department, he will be teaching a class in Linear Algebra, APMA E3101.
Prof. Tiffany Shaw holds a joint appointment with the APAM Department and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Prof. Shaw studies the basic dynamics of the atmosphere and climate, with a particular emphasis on the role of wave dynamics and transport. She uses applied math tools such as multi scale-asymptotics and Hamiltonian geophysical fluid dynamics along with a hierarchy of numerical models of varying complexity to understand the mean structure and variability of the atmospheric circulation, including the role of waves, and how they will respond to climate change. Most recently Prof. Shaw has been interested in the role of momentum transports by small-scale waves in shaping the general circulation of the atmosphere, the coupling between the troposphere and stratosphere and the role of water vapor (latent heat) in the general circulation.
Prof. Shaw received a Bachelor's degree from the University of British Columbia and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. Following her doctorate, she spent one and a half years at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences Center for Atmosphere Ocean Science studying the meridional transport of water vapor by waves and its role in the general circulation of the atmosphere.