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Name: Flora PHILIPP
Current Position: PhD Student (Project Assistant)
Research Group: Analysis of Nonlinear PDEs (Prof. Ansgar JÜNGEL)
Starting Date: October 2024

In my work, I focus on the analysis of fluid-mechanical systems from physics and biology, taking their energy or entropy into account. In particular, I am working on a Chemotaxis–Navier-Stokes system, which models vasculogenesis – the formation of new blood vessels. In addition, I am trying to gain a better understanding of Navier-Stokes–Korteweg models. These were originally developed to describe fluids with strong density differences, but they also include the Quantum-Navier-Stokes equations.

At first, working with these equations seems technically very demanding. Over time, however, one develops an intuition for the structure of the problem. From this stage onward, I especially enjoy the work, because I can start considering which relations are essential for the analysis and what could be modified. Being able to immerse myself in a topic is a major motivation for my PhD. Another aspect I particularly enjoy is that these equations model real processes in nature, and mathematics allows us to learn more about them. For instance, if it turns out that a well-defined solution does not exist, this can indicate that the model is too simplified and that additional factors should be considered to describe the system more realistically.

I have been fascinated by this area of mathematics for some time. I studied mathematics and physics at the University of Vienna during my bachelor’s degree and specialized in analysis during my master’s. In my master’s thesis, supervised by Prof. Sara MERINO ACEITUNO, I studied a biological system and analyzed it using kinetic theory.

I am not yet sure where my path will lead me,, but I hope to learn as much as possible and gain valuable experience.