Applied mathematician & numerical analyst
Mathematics for complex physical systems.
I am Steven M. Wise, a professor at the University of Tennessee. I develop mathematical models and computational methods for problems spanning complex fluids, materials, kinetic theory, and nonlinear PDE.
Current focus
Where analysis meets computation
I build thermodynamically consistent models, study their mathematical properties, and design efficient numerical methods to approximate their solutions.
Complex fluids & interfaces
Phase fields, multiphase flows, ionic materials, and thermodynamically consistent models.
Research areas → 02Numerical methods
Stable discretizations, finite elements, multigrid solvers, and diffuse-domain methods.
Current projects → 03Nonlinear PDE
Existence, uniqueness, regularity, singular perturbations, and asymptotic analysis.
Publications →Books
From foundations to fast solvers
Graduate-level texts connecting rigorous mathematical theory with practical computational methods.
Open lectures
Mathematical ideas, made accessible.
Complete courses in asymptotic analysis, multigrid methods, finite element methods, and non-equilibrium thermodynamics are available on WiseAppliedMaths.
Background
A career across mathematics, physics, and computation.
I joined the University of Tennessee in 2007 after postdoctoral work at the University of California, Irvine, with John Lowengrub and Vittorio Cristini. I received my PhD in engineering physics from the University of Virginia in 2003, working with William C. Johnson.
Web of Science recognized me as a Highly Cited Researcher in 2020 and 2022.