Fundamentals of Continuum Physics

Krishna Garikipati stands as a pioneering figure in computational science, serving as Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Michigan since 2000, before his recent transition to USC as Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering in 2024. After earning his PhD from Stanford University in 1996, he has built an extraordinary career spanning computational physics, biophysics, and materials science. His research encompasses mathematical biology, tumor growth modeling, cell mechanics, and materials physics, with particular focus on battery materials and structural alloys. As former Director of the Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery & Engineering (2016-2022), his impact is evidenced by numerous prestigious recognitions including the DOE Early Career Award, Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), and a Humboldt Research Fellowship. His scholarly influence extends through fellowships in the US Association for Computational Mechanics and International Association for Computational Mechanics, while maintaining positions as a Life Member of Clare Hall at University of Cambridge and visiting scholar at the Flatiron Institute. Beyond his research, Garikipati's commitment to open science is demonstrated through his team's development of open-source computer code and algorithms, while his teaching excellence has consistently earned high evaluation scores.