About Me

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department at the University of Michigan, working under the supervision of Professor Lei Zuo. My current work investigates ice and wave modeling relevant to offshore structures in severe conditions. I develop coupled numerical models and employ AI/ML methods to evaluate ice and wave loading, wave–ice interactions, and structural response of offshore structures.

I earned my Ph.D. in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech, where I conducted experimental and theoretical research on fluid–structure interaction. This work combined high-speed imaging, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Stereoscopic Digital Image Correlation (S-DIC), image processing, and towing-tank experiments to examine hydrodynamic loading and structural response of models with low flexural rigidity.

Research Interests:

• AI-Driven Modeling and Design of Offshore Structures
• Experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Fluid-Structure Interaction
• Naval Architecture and Marine Hydrodynamics
• Environmental Fluid Dynamics
• Visualization and Image Processing

For more information, please refer to my full CV or contact me at mjava@umich.edu.