Michaela Kubacki headshot
Office
Warner 206
Tel
(802) 443-5293
Email
mkubacki@middlebury.edu
Office Hours
On leave AY 25-26, Email for Appointment

I am an applied mathematician. My research area is computational fluid dynamics, which involves developing, analyzing, and implementing algorithms (numerical methods) that allow us to model situations involving fluids in motion. My current research focuses on algorithms for microscale flows driven by immersed objects interacting with the fluid through motion or deformation. The numerical methods I study can be used to model things like swimming bacteria, cell migration, and microfiltration for water reclamation.

Courses Taught

Course Description

Calculus II
A continuation of MATH 0121, may be elected by first-year students who have had an introduction to analytic geometry and calculus in secondary school. Topics include a brief review of natural logarithm and exponential functions, calculus of the elementary transcendental functions, techniques of integration, improper integrals, applications of integrals including problems of finding volumes, infinite series and Taylor's theorem, polar coordinates, ordinary differential equations. MATH 0121 or equivalent, or by placement) 4 hrs. lect/disc.

Terms Taught

Spring 2025

Requirements

DED

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Course Description

Linear Algebra
Matrices and systems of linear equations, the Euclidean space of three dimensions and other real vector spaces, independence and dimensions, scalar products and orthogonality, linear transformations and matrix representations, eigenvalues and similarity, determinants, the inverse of a matrix and Cramer's rule. (MATH 0121 or equivalent, or by placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc.

Terms Taught

Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024

Requirements

DED

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Course Description

Differential Equations
This course provides an introduction into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with an emphasis on linear and nonlinear systems using analytical, qualitative, and numerical techniques. Topics will include separation of variables, integrating factors, eigenvalue method, linearization, bifurcation theory, and numerous applications. In this course, we will introduce MATLAB programming skills and develop them through the semester. (MATH 0122 or equivalent, and MATH 0200.) 3 hrs. lect./disc.

Terms Taught

Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Fall 2024

Requirements

DED

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Course Description

Partial Differential Equations
An introduction to partial differential equations (PDEs) with an emphasis on first and second-order linear equations. Using analytical, qualitative, and numerical techniques, we will study the Laplace, heat, and wave equations, as well as their applications. MATLAB will be used where applicable. (MATH 0223 or MATH 0224, and MATH 0226) 3 hr lect.

Terms Taught

Fall 2023

Requirements

DED

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Course Description

Numerical Linear Algebra
Numerical Linear Algebra involves the development, analysis, and implementation of computational algorithms for solving linear algebra problems. These problems frequently arise in applications such as physical simulations, signal processing, neural network design, and many more. This course focuses on numerical methods for linear systems and eigenvalue problems. We will study both direct and iterative approaches, including Gaussian Elimination, LU Factorization, Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel Iterations, Steepest Descent, Conjugate Gradient, the Power Method, and more. Additional key topics include matrix decompositions, matrix/vector norms, computational efficiency, and stability. MATLAB programming skills will be introduced and developed throughout the semester. (MATH 0122 and MATH 0200)

Terms Taught

Fall 2022, Spring 2025

Requirements

DED

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Course Description

Advanced Study
Individual study for qualified students in more advanced topics in algebra, number theory, real or complex analysis, topology. Particularly suited for those who enter with advanced standing. (Approval required) 3 hrs. lect./disc.

Terms Taught

Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027

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Course Description

Advanced Numerical Analysis
In this course, students will complete a senior project building on their prior knowledge and experience in numerical methods and analysis. Each iteration of the course may highlight different areas and applications of numerical analysis, shaped by the instructor’s expertise and areas of interest. Students will develop their ability to critically analyze, synthesize, and engage in meaningful discussions about relevant scientific literature. Emphasis is placed on clear written and oral communication of mathematical ideas, culminating in a formal scientific paper and a public presentation. This course fulfills the capstone senior work requirement for both the applied and general mathematics tracks. (Approval Only) 3 hrs. Sem.

Terms Taught

Spring 2024

Requirements

DED

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Areas of Interest

Numerical Analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics

Academic Degrees

B.A., Washington & Jefferson College; M.A., University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Publications

Coffer, B.; Kubacki, M.; Wen, Y.; Zhang, T.; Barajas, C.; Gobbert, M. Brice Machine Learning with Feature Importance Analysis for Tornado Prediction from Environmental Sounding Data. PAMM, 20, 1, (2021).

Coffer, B.; Kubacki, M.; Wen, Y., Zhang, T.;  Barajas, C.; and Gobbert, M. Using machine learning techniques for supercell tornado prediction with environmental sounding data, Tech. Rep. HPCF–2020–18, UMBC High Performance Computing Facility, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2020. http://hpcf.umbc.edu/publications/.

Ervin, V.; Kubacki, M.; Layton, W.; Moraiti, M.; Si, Z.; Trenchea, C. Partitioned penalty methods for the transport equation in the evolutionary Stokes-Darcy-transport problem. Numer. Methods Partial Differential Eq. 2018; 35: 349-374. https://doi.org/10.1002/num.22303.

Kubacki, M.; Tran, H. Non-Iterative Partitioned Methods for Uncoupling Evolutionary Groundwater-Surface Water Flows. Fluids 2017, 2(3). http://www.mdpi.com/journal/fluids/special_issues/turbulence.

Ervin, V.J.; Kubacki, M.; Layton, W.; Moraiti, M.; Si, Z.; Trenchea, C. On Limiting Behavior of Contaminant Transport Models in Coupled Surface and Groundwater Flows. Axioms 2015, 4, 518-529.

Kubacki, M. and Moraiti, M. Analysis of a Second-Order, Unconditionally Stable, Partitioned Method for the Evolutionary Stokes-Darcy Model. Int. J. Numer. Anal. Mod., 12 (2015), pp. 704-730.

Jiang, N.; Kubacki, M.; Layton, W.; Moraiti, M.; Tran, H. A Crank-Nicolson Leapfrog stabilization: Unconditional stability and two applications, Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, Volume 281, June 2015, Pages 263-276, ISSN 0377-0427.

Kubacki, M. Higher-Order, Strongly Stable Methods for Uncoupling Groundwater-Surface Water Flow (Doctoral dissertation). University of Pittsburgh D-Scholarship Database, http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/21894/ (2014).

Kubacki, M. Uncoupling evolutionary groundwater-surface water flows using the Crank-Nicolson Leapfrog method. Numer. Methods Partial Differential Eq., 29:1192-1216, 2013.