10th ERCOFTAC Da Vinci Competition 2015 - Interview with Da Vinci Finalists

Rodolfo Ostilla Monico

(University of Twente, Physics of Fluids Group, the Netherlands)

• What is the topic of your Ph.D. thesis?

"Highly turbulent Taylor-Couette flow: direct numerical simulations"

The topic of my PhD thesis was the direct numerical simulation of Taylor-Couette flow at high Reynolds numbers, with a focus on understanding the scaling laws that relate torque and shear driving, and the transition to an asymptotic or ultimate regime. I also studied why an optimal transport, i.e. a maxima in the torque required to rotate the cylinders for a given shear rate as a function of the ratio between the rotation rates of both cylinders existed, and how it varied throughout parameter space.

• What are you currently working on?

A series of topics which revolve around direct numerical simulation of canonical turbulent systems, including vortex rings, thermal convection and shear flows.

• What motivates you in your work?

A mixture of deep curiosity and the will to tie up any loose ends which I find during my research.

• What did the Da Vinci competition mean to you?

At the time, it was very encouraging to see my work recognized at an international level.

• How has your professional life evolved since the da Vinci competition and where do you see yourself in five years?

After my PhD I moved to the US to pursue a post-doc, and stayed for a tenure-track position. I recently moved back to Spain, and I am currently working at the university of Cadiz.

• What advice would you give to new PhD students starting in fluid mechanics?

Do not let the vast complexity of the topic discourage you, it also means that you can find scientific gaps to which you can contribute.