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Computational Modeling and Simulation » People


Photo of Yijia Gu Yijia Gu Assistant Professor
352-273-0292

Ph.D. 2014, Pennsylvania State University

Research Interests: Computational Modeling and Simulation, Metallurgy, Electronic Materials, Ceramics, Nanomaterials, Machine Learning and AI, Materials Processing;  CALPHAD, Phase-field method, Ferroelectric materials, Recycling aluminum, Additive manufacturing, Microstructure evolution, Rapid solidification, Phase transformation

Photo of Ira Harkness Ira Harkness NE Undergraduate Coordinator, Instructional Associate Professor
352-846-3329

Ph.D., 2018, University of Florida

Research Interests: Engineering education, Computational Modeling and simulation; Monte Carlo methods, nuclear policy, workforce development

Photo of Richard Hennig Richard Hennig Professor, Alumni Professor of Materials Science & Engineering
(352) 392-7327

Ph.D., 2000, Washington University in St. Louis

Research interests: Machine Learning and AI, Computational Modeling and Simulation, Energy Materials, Electronic Materials, Engineering Education, Nanomaterials; AI-driven and ab initio materials science; deep learning and generative models for materials prediction and inverse design; interpretable machine-learning force fields; quantum and superconducting materials; molecular magnetic qubits and spin coherence; electronic-structure and phonon-based modeling of electron–phonon coupling; electrochemical and solid–liquid interfaces; and open computational frameworks linking predictive AI, first-principles simulation, and experiment.…

Photo of Yuzhi Li Yuzhi Li Research Assistant Scientist

Ph.D., 2023, Virginia Tech

Research Interests: Nuclear Fusion, Computational Modeling and Simulation; Plasma Physics, Magnetic Confinement Fusion, Plasma-Material Interactions

Photo of Heyi Liang Heyi Liang Assistant Professor 

Ph.D. 2019, University of Akron

Research Interests: Computational Modeling and Simulation, Polymeric Materials, Machine Learning and AI, Biomaterials, Materials Processing, Nanomaterials, Electronic Materials; Computational Soft Materials, Structure-Property Relations of Soft Materials, Polymer Physics, Bio-Inspired and Biomimetic Materials, Sustainable Polymers, Colloidal Suspensions.

Website: The Liang Lab

Photo of Chris McDevitt Chris McDevitt Associate Professor
(352) 846-3785

Ph.D., 2008, University of California San Diego

Research Interests: Nuclear Fusion, Computational Modeling and Simulation, Machine Learning and AI;  Computational plasma physics, magnetic fusion, tokamak disruptions, scientific machine learning, plasma-material interaction.

Lab Website: McDevitt Lab

Photo of Simon R. Phillpot Simon Phillpot Associate Department Chair, Distinguished Professor
(352) 846-3782

Ph.D., 1985, University of Florida

Research Interests: Computational Modeling and Simulation, Nuclear Fuels and Materials, Energy Materials, Metallurgy, Ceramics

Lab Website: Phillpot Research Group

Photo of Michael Tonks Michael Tonks Department Chair, Professor, Alumni Professor of Materials Science & Engineering
(352) 846-3779

Ph.D., 2008, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests: Computational Modeling and Simulation, Nuclear Fuels and Materials, Ceramics, Electronic Materials, Energy Materials, Machine Learning and AI, Materials Processing, Metallurgy, Nanomaterials, Nuclear Security and Detection, Radiochemistry

Lab Website: Tonks Research Group

Photo of Xian Wang Xian Wang MSE Research Scientist

Research Interests: Computational Modeling and Simulation, Nuclear Fusion, Machine Learning and AI, Quantum Computing, Atomic and Molecular Scattering

Photo of Justin Watson Justin Watson Associate Professor
(352) 273-0241

Ph.D., 2010, Penn State University

Research Interests: Reactor Physics and Thermal Hydraulics, Computational Modeling and Simulation; Reactor Kinetics and Dynamics, Neutronics, Thermal Hydraulics, Multiphysics Simulation, Advanced Numerical Methods, Applied Mathematics, Advanced Code Coupling Techniques, Scientific Software Development, High-Performance Computing

Lab Website: Florida Advanced Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation (FAMMoS) Lab