Plot of magnetic field along the stagnation line of a core moving through a uniform magnetic field. A magnetized layer builds up, with a characteristic lengthscale that depends only on the radius of curvature of the working surface of the core.

I'm interested in computational astrophysics broadly - understanding complex astrophysical systems through large-scale parallel multiphysics simulations; carefully examining microphysics both for its own sake and so that it can be included quantitatively in larger-scale models; and developing and analyzing computational techniques for use in astrophysical simulations.

I study interfacial instabilities, buoyant flows, and combustion problems with applications to Type Ia supernovae, which are interesting in themselves and very important for quantitative cosmology; bubbles and magnetic draping in galaxy clusters; and fragmentation and wind-interactions in disks. I have also recently worked on the physics of mixing and enrichment in novae, detonations, galaxy formation, and efficient and accurate numerical techniques for studying these phenomenon.

You can view my research statement online, or as a PDF. I also have a brief overview of my research accomplishments available as a PDF.