Faculty Profiles

The combination of data-driven and theoretical methods is the hallmark of Schmidt’s research. His group uses high-fidelity numerical methods to simulate turbulent flows, modal decomposition techniques to deduce dynamically relevant flow features from the data, and stability theory to unmask the self-organizing mechanisms that lead to their formation. Synergizing empirical and theoretical approaches not only leads to a profound understanding of the underlying flow physics but allows for the design of low-order models that enable optimization and control. Motivated by the vision of future silent aircraft, Schmidt’s current research focuses on developing physical models to understand, and ultimately mitigate, turbulent jet mixing noise—a central problem in aeroacoustics.

Capsule Bio:

Oliver Schmidt joined the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UC San Diego in the fall of 2018 after completing his postdoctoral fellowship in the Computational Flow Physics Group at the California Institute of Technology, supported by a research fellowship of the German Research Foundation and the Office of Naval Research. He completed his Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Stuttgart in 2014, and his graduate studies at the Berlin University of Technology and the University of Washington in 2009. Schmidt received the Boeing Company and Lufthansa’s Reinhardt Abraham Scholarship for his graduate studies at the University of Washington and the Association of German Engineers’ award of excellent performance for his overall graduate performance. He conducted research at Stanford’s Center of Turbulence Research, the Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics, the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, EADS Astrium Space Transportation and the German Aerospace Center, in different capacities.

Selected Publications:

Google Scholar Publications