The Ken Kennedy Institute's October Member of the Month: Beatrice Riviere, Noah Harding Chair and Professor of Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research.
Dr. Riviere has worked extensively of the development and analysis of numerical methods applied to problems in porous media and in fluid mechanics. Her current research deals with the development of high-order methods in time and in space for multiphase multicomponent flows (in rigid and deformable media); the modeling of pore scale flows for immiscible and miscible components; the numerical model of oxygen transport in a network of blood vessels; the analysis of neural networks for image segmentation and the design of iterative solvers.
How would you explain your research in 1-2 sentences?
I develop computational mathematical tools that are guaranteed to provide accurate and reliable solutions to complex physical problems.
How does your work impact the community at large?
Understanding how fluids flow through porous media is important for many applications. For example, the transport of multiphase flows in subsurface occurs in the process of storing carbon dioxide underground, such as in depleted reservoirs. Another example is the formation of intestinal edema that can arise in patients with traumatic injuries. In both examples, my algorithms have been used by practitioners: engineers from major oil and gas industries as well as by scientists from the Texas Medical Center.
What kind of collaborations are you looking for at Rice and within the community?
I am interested in research collaborations to tackle problems related to renewable energy and climate change, healthcare and biomedicine.
How do you see computation and data advancing in the future?
Computation and data have revolutionized the world and will continue to shape the future of humanity. As developers of computational tools, we have the responsibility to ensure these tools are used in a truthful, fair and reliable way. I am hopeful that the merging of data-based models and physics-based models is a promising step in that direction.
How do you see the Ken Kennedy Institute supporting you and/or your research?
The Ken Kennedy Institute creates an environment that promotes exchanges and collaborations between researchers from Rice and beyond. I have particularly benefited from participating in the Energy HPC conferences since these events initiated successful partnerships with the private sector.
What is your favorite book or movie?
I enjoy reading books of various genres from biographies to science fiction. One of my favorites is the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. Using humor and satire, these books comment on the human condition in an imaginary and magical world.
Do you have any words of inspiration you would like to share?
Doing research is like being on a roller coaster: hang on and you will be having the ride of your life!
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See Beatrice's Rice Profile here.
