Keith Julien
Department Chair • Professor

Room number: ECOT 324

Focus Area

Mathematical Geosciences, Computational Mathematics

Education

PH.D. Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University Of Cambridge 1991
Mathematics Tripos, Certificate in Advanced Studies, University Of Cambridge 1987
B.Sc. Joint Honors in Mathematics and Physics, Kings College, University of London 1986

Professional Experience

July 2015 – Present Chair, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.
July 2008 – Present Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.
June 2006 - May 2009 Graduate Studies Chair, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.
July 2003 – June 2008 Associate Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.
Jan. 1998 - June 2003 Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.
Jan. 1997 – Dec. 1997 Instructor, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.
Oct 1994 – Sept. 1996 Advanced Study Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Colorado, U.S.A.
May 1991 – Sept. 1994 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Joint Institute for Laboratory Institute (JILA), Colorado, U.S.A

Awards (selected)

1988, J. T. Knight Prize, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics,
University of Cambridge, England.
1998, Creative Research and Creative Works, Junior Faculty Development Award, University of Colorado at Boulder.
2004, Creative Research and Creative Works, Faculty Fellowship Award, University of Colorado at Boulder.
2007, 2019 Innovative Seed Grant, University of Colorado at Boulder.
2017 Fellow of American Physical Society, Division of Fluid Dynamics
2024 Principal Lecturer, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Summer Program, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

Research Interest

Dr. Julien's primary area of research is focussed in the mathematical geo- and astro-physical sciences. Specifically, the modeling of dynamical processes and instabilities occurring in geophysical and astrophysical flows. Examples include protoplanetary disks, stably and unstably stratified flows (such as penetrative convection, rotating and magneto- convection), shear flows and boundary effects in turbulent convection. Particular emphasis is placed on the identification of reduced PDE models that accurately describe coherent structures, the transport and organization of large-scale flows, mean flow generation, and wave propagation. Complementary to these interest is the development of fast numerical algorithms for the purpose of numerical simulations on state of the art high performance computing architectures. Dr Julien's also experienced in the areas of dynamical systems and physical applied mathematics.

People 

Current Postdocs:

Former Postdocs:

  • MIchael Calkins (currently Associate Professor, Dept. Physics, University of Colorado Boulder)
  • Philippe Marti (currently Lecturer, Dept. of Earth Sciences, ETH Zurich, CH)
  • Benjamin Miquel (currently CNRS Scientist, Dept. LMFA, Ecole Centrale Lyon, CNRS, Fr)
  • Antonio Rubio (currently Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Arizona)
  • Michael Sprague (currently Chief Wind Computational Scientist, National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
  • Geoff Vasil (currently Reader,  School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh, UK)

Current Students (chronological order of expected completion):

  • Sara Tro, PhD expected May 2025.

Former Students (reverse chronological order):

  • Abe Ellison, PhD May 2023. Went to Universal Audio
  • Meredith Plumley, PhD May 2017. (AGU Turcotte Award Winner for PhD Dissertation) Reseasch Scientist, Northrop Grumman.
  • David Nieves, PhD May 2016.  Associate Teaching Professor, Dept of Mathematics, Penn State.
  • Ian Grooms, PhD May 2011. (AGU Turcotte Award Winner for PhD Dissertation) Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado at Boulder.
  • Michael Watson, PhD May 2008, currently Associate Group Leader, MIT Lincoln Labs.
  • Benjamin Jamroz, PhD May 2008, Currently Scientist at National Instittute for Standards and Technology (NIST).
  • Mark Petersen, PhD May 2004, Currently Climate Scientist and Ocean Model Developer, Los Alamos National Labs (LANL). 
  • Neil Martinsen-Burrell Neil Martinsen-Burrell, PhD May 2004, Currently Innovation Specialist at 18F. 
  • Paul Mullowney, PhD May 2004, Currently Principal Member of the Technical Staff at AMD.
  • Matthew Tearle, PhD May 2004, went to MathWorks. 
  • Eric Wright, PhD May 2002. Currently, Professor of Mathematics, University of Montana-Western.