Scientific Interests and current research
My research is focused on the physics of planetary interiors. The topics of my research include the study of convective flows in spherical shell geometries, the generation and evolution of planetary magnetic fields, the rotational dynamics of planetary bodies and fluid-solid interactions at interior boundaries. My work is mainly theoretical, including numerical simulations, with an emphasis on relating specific observations to simple dynamical models.
Many of my research projects have focused on the interior of Earth, more specifically the physics of its fluid and solid cores. I have also done some work on the interior structure and rotational dynamics of Mercury and the Moon, and on convective flows on Giant Gas planets like Jupiter. I have also started to apply some of these ideas to exoplanets.
Below is a sample of my past and present research topics and
interests. Click on these for
more details.
For prospective graduate students: I have many projects that are appropriate for either MSc or PhD theses. Please browse through these topics (and my Publications page) to get a glimpse of the type of research that I do and might interest you. Feel free to email me to inquire about the possibility of pursuing a graduate degree under my supervision and discuss research project ideas.
Geomagnetic secular variation
Numerical simulations of torsional oscillations and
rigid zonal flows
Axial rotation and oscillation of Earth's inner core
Inner core tilt and Earth's rotation
Archaeomagnetic secular variation
Changes in length of day at millennial timescales
Changes in gravity and ground deformations caused by core dynamics
The low secular variation in the Pacific
The librations of Mercury and its interior structure