Thomas P. Witelski, Assistant Professor

Office Location: 233C Physics Bldg
Office Phone: 00-1-(919) 660-2841
Email Address: witelski@math.duke.edu
Web Page: http://www.math.duke.edu/faculty/witelski

Office Hours:

TBA

Education:

Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, California Institute of Technology, 1995
B. S. in Engineering, Cooper Union, School of Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, 1991
Stuyvesant High School, New York, 1987

Research Interests: Perturbation Methods, Asymptotic Analysis and Numerical Methods, Partial differential equations

My primary area of expertise is the solution of nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations via perturbation methods. Using asymptotics along with a mixture of other applied mathematical techniques in analysis and scientific computing I study a broad range of applications in physical systems. Focuses of my work include problems in viscous fluid flow, industrial applications, flow in porous media, mathematical biology, and granular materials. Through my research I am working to extend the understanding of nonlinear diffusion processes in physical systems. Studying problems in a range of different fields has given me a unique opportunity to interact with a diverse set of collaborators and to transfer analytic techniques across the traditional boundaries that separate fields.

A good quote from the Sunday New York Times interview with Peter Watson (author of "Ideas: a history of thought and invention from Fire to Freud"):
"[...] where do you think ideas come from?
[...] Everybody who has had a great idea or made a great realization has been working very hard at it, and they often have failed many times. You don't go from nothing to a great idea without doing a lot of work."

Go to my official web page at Duke Math