Michael Brenner

Professor at Harvard University

Michael P. Brenner is a prominent applied mathematician and physicist at Harvard University. Here are some key details about his background and work:

Academic Positions

Michael Brenner holds several prestigious positions at Harvard University:

Glover Professor of Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics
Professor of Physics
Harvard College Professor
Faculty member in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and Department of Physics

Education and Early Career

Bachelor's degree in physics and mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania
PhD in physics from the University of Chicago, where he worked with Leo Kadanoff
Assistant and Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics at MIT from 1995-2001
Joined Harvard faculty in 2001

Research Focus

Brenner's research applies mathematical methods to a wide range of scientific and engineering problems, particularly in:

Fluid mechanics
Materials science
Turbulence
Self-assembly
Atmospheric chemistry

He is known for using advanced mathematical techniques to study diverse phenomena like:

Breaking of fluid droplets
Sonoluminescence
Sedimentation of small particles
Device design in engineering
Electrospinning

More recently, he has focused on using machine learning to facilitate scientific discovery.

Teaching

Brenner created the popular Harvard course "Science and Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to the Science of Soft Matter." This innovative class explores the science of cooking and soft matter physics, featuring lectures from prominent chefs and food experts.1 2

Honors and Awards

Fellow of the American Physical Society (elected 2004)
Guggenheim Fellowship (2004)
George Ledlie Prize from Harvard University (2011)
Named a Simons Investigator (2012)

Michael Brenner's work spans theoretical and applied mathematics, physics, and engineering. He is known for his interdisciplinary approach and ability to apply mathematical techniques to diverse scientific problems.