Personal Motivation

Ever since I started learning more about turbulence, it has become rather difficult for me

to trust turbulent flow simulation results. Observing random motions in swirling flows used to

be fascinating for me as a kid but now those random motions represent an unsolved problem

of classical physics. Nonetheless, I consider myself lucky to know enough about complexity of

turbulence that it cannot be described accurately by simplified turbulent models. I aspire to

investigate turbulence so that one day we can achieve its complete understanding.

After completing BS aerospace engineering in fall 2011, I left for China to study MS me-

chanical engineering. It is because I was interested in fluid mechanics, I chose to base my

MS coursework almost entirely on fluid related subjects. In my master thesis with Prof. Lipo

Wang I worked on the fundamental research of the flow-moving surface interaction. I am very

proud that some new insights have been obtained and this work has been submitted to Physical

Review E recently.

My master thesis work and the course of turbulence by my thesis adviser made me realize

the great importance of further understanding turbulence. After having finished my master

degree in March 2014, I was working with my adviser to update my code from k− ε turbulence

model to LES. Unfortunately, I was not able to complete my work because my father passed

away in April 2014 and I had to come back to Pakistan; for the same reason I could not submit

my thesis findings for publication right after graduation. Now that my family is stable and I

have already started my career as a lecturer, I am craving to find a professor who can supervise

my thesis in studying turbulence.

There is no other topic in science that I want to study more than turbulence and that is why

I have been following research in University of Rome (Prof. Luca Biferale), Physics of Fluids

group at Twente and Max-Planck institute. Respected Mr. Thornber, I am glad to have found

your research group; I appreciate your achievements and contribution to turbulence research

and I will be very proud to be able to work with you.