๐ Dr. Ali Tahiti is a full-time assistant professor in Mechanical Engineering at the College of Engineering. He holds a Doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clemson University.
๐ฅ His expertise includes data mathematical modeling of large-scale complex systems, particularly in fluid and fire dynamics. He is currently a fire and fluid dynamicist and co-principal investigator at the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC).
๐ฒ Dr. Tahiti discussed the state of wildfires in the US and the importance of understanding wildfire behavior. He emphasized that while the number of wildfires may fluctuate, the impact on communities has significantly increased since 2015.
๐ The data shows that while the number of wildfires may be decreasing, the costs and damages associated with them are rising due to increased community vulnerability and climate change effects.
๐ฅ There are three major mechanisms of wildfire spread:
๐ฌ Dr. Tahiti's research involves understanding the transition from a single ignition point to large fire weather systems. He uses mathematical modeling and experimental setups to study particle trajectories and their impact on fire spread.
๐งช He highlighted the importance of AI and deep learning in improving wildfire prediction models, aiming to enhance the accuracy and speed of forecasts.
๐ Wildfires not only affect the environment but also have significant ecological impacts. Dr. Tahiti's research includes studying the smoke plume and its effects on air quality and ecology.
๐ฉโ๐ Dr. Tahiti encourages student involvement in research at the WIRC, offering opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to engage in meaningful projects.
๐ Thank you, Dr. Tahiti, for your insightful presentation on wildfires and their implications. Students are encouraged to reach out for further engagement and research opportunities.