Trial lecture
“Numerical methods for optimal control problems (OCPs) with non-smooth data”
Time and place: January 23, 2025 11:15 AM. Kristen Nygaards sal (5370), Ole-Johan Dahls hus.
Main research findings
The brain's health depends on the complex interplay between blood, brain tissue, and the fluid that surrounds them. This biomechanical environment is vital for clearing waste products, yet our understanding of how these fluids move across different scales—from the whole head down to microscopic cells—remains fragmented. This is a critical gap because disruptions in these fluid pathways are linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Therefore, I developed a suite of advanced mathematical models to simulate these physical principles. My findings show that the rapid, rhythmic pulses from our heartbeat and breathing are likely not enough to drive the effective waste clearance observed clinically. Instead, my research suggests that slower waves of blood vessel expansion may be the key mechanism needed to move substances efficiently through the brain.
To enable these discoveries, I established a new computational platform that connects organ-level dynamics with cellular mechanics. A major part of this work involved designing high-performance mathematical tools capable of simulating the complex mechanics of brain tissue, at both the whole organ and microscopic scale. These "virtual laboratory" tools provide a powerful new way for researchers to investigate neurological disorders and optimize how medicines are delivered directly into the brain.
Adjudication committee
- Associate Professor Luca Heltai, University of Pisa, Italy
- Professor Inga Berre, University of Bergen, Norway
- Associate Professor Håkon Kvale Stensland, University of Oslo, Norway
Supervisors
- Chief Research Scientist Marie Rognes, Simula Research Laboratory, Norway
- Chief Research Scientist Kent Andre Mardal, Simula Research Laboratory, Norway
- Professor Aslak Tveito, Simula Research Laboratory, Norway
Chair of defence
- Professor Xing Cai, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo
Contact information at Department: Pernille Adine Nordby