Pierre Lermusiaux

Dr. Pierre Lermusiaux is the Nam Pyo Suh Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Ocean Science and Engineering at MIT, where he has revolutionized ocean modeling and prediction systems. After earning his engineering degree from the University of Liege and advanced degrees from Harvard University, he has established himself as a leader in ocean data assimilation and uncertainty quantification. His groundbreaking research focuses on developing new mathematical models and computational methods for ocean predictions, uncertainty quantification, and autonomous system optimization. His work spans physical oceanography, computational fluid dynamics, and interdisciplinary ocean dynamics. He created innovative techniques for multiscale modeling and data assimilation that help predict ocean dynamics and guide autonomous vehicles. His excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Fulbright Foundation Fellowship, the Wallace Prize at Harvard, and MIT's Ruth and Joel Spira Award for Distinguished Teaching. As director of MIT's Multidisciplinary Simulation, Estimation, and Assimilation Systems Laboratory, he has led many national and international sea exercises and published over 120 refereed papers. His recent work includes developing techniques to aid search and rescue operations at sea, creating neural closure models for dynamical systems, and advancing energy-optimal path planning methods. His research has significant applications in ocean exploration, environmental monitoring, and maritime operations.