Research 

I have a broad interest in understanding collective phenomena, transport and pattern formation in non-equilibrium systems. I use theoretical and computational methods pertaining to statistical and condensed matter physics.

Dynamics of topological defects in ordered systems  

This research is pivoted on understanding macroscopic properties of defected matter from the collective properties of its topological defects. The research topics that we work on include: 

• Vortex dynamics and superfluid flows in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates 

• Dislocation dynamics and plasticity of single- and poly-crystals
• Orientational defects in active nematic liquid crystals

Transport in complex systems

Another research topic is understanding anomalous diffusion in disordered media, reactive media or under confinement. The diffusing entities could be passive Brownian particles moving through a labyrinth or active (self-propelled) Brownian particles moving in a confined space with or without obstacles. The passive Brownian particles could also interact with the environment through trapping sites. Basic open questions in such systems concern the long-time behavior of the mean-square displacement in relation to the topology of the embedding space, dispersion and mixing of particles in porous media, finding the escape probably of (active) Brownian particles in confined spaced, etc. 

Interfacial processes 

Other projects involve modelling various interfacial processes in multi-phase systems using level-set or phase field methods and geared toward geophysical applications of fluid-rock interfaces and rock deformation. We aim to develop a theoretical framework for deriving the governing balance laws at the fluid-rock interfaces where dissolution/precipitation reactions are coupled with flow and deformation. 

Education

2010 Ph.D. Physics, University of Oslo, Norway 

2006 M.Sc. Physics, Niels Bohr Institute, Denmark 

Teaching

2021 Spring semester FYS3140 - Mathematical methods in physics

2020   Research sabbatical at University of California in Santa Barbara and KITP 

2013-2019 Spring semester: FYS4130 - Statistical mechanics

2018-2021 Fall semester: FYS2160 -Thermodynamics and statistical physics