Research
Research interests
I am interested in the general area of astrophysical fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics and dynamo theory. Current (and recent) projects
include:
- Magnetohydrodynamic convectons
- Dynamo action in rotating compressible convection
(Right: A temperature plot from rotating convection in a plane layer) - Convectively-driven dynamo action in the quiet Sun
- Modelling of magnetoconvection in the solar photosphere
- Magnetic buoyancy instabilities in the solar interior
- Large-scale solar and stellar dynamo modelling
- The dynamics of cosmic rays and magnetic fields in the interstellar medium
- Oscillatory convection and limitations of the Boussinesq approximation
- The magnetohydrodynamics of Hot Jupiter atmospheres
Research funding
STFC Astrophysics Grant: "Magnetism in Hot Jupiters" (10/2026-9/2029), UKRI4144, Lead
STFC Astrophysics Grant: "A solar-like dynamo driven by magnetic buoyancy" (7/2025-6/2028), UKRI1211, Co-Lead
Leverhulme Trust Grant: "Dynamo action driven by magnetic buoyancy: A new model for solar magnetism" (1/2021-1/2024), RPG-2020-109, PI
Leverhulme Trust Grant: "Modelling inhomogeneous magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in hot Jupiter atmospheres" (6/2017-5/2021), RPG-2017-035, CoI
Leverhulme Trust Grant: "Observations and models of turbulent flows: a topological approach" (3/2015-2/2019), RPG-2014-427, CoI
STFC Standard Grant: "Cosmic rays in the multi-phase interstellar medium with dynamo-generated magnetic fields" (11/2013-3/2015), ST/L005549/1, PI
STFC Consolidated Grant: "The Astrophysics Research Programme at Newcastle University" (4/2013-3/2016), ST/K001019/1, PI
Royal Society International Joint Project Grant: "The origin and observational signatures of cosmic magnetic fields" (2/2011-2/2013), CoI
EPSRC: "Dynamos in rotating compressible convection", (1/2010-12/2011) EP/H006842/1, PI
STFC: "Short term visitors programme, Newcastle University" (6/2008-6/2011), ST/F003080/1, CoI
Postdoctoral research associates
Dr Devika Tharakkal (started 2026)Dr Craig Duguid (2021-2023)
Dr Alex Hindle (2020-2023)
Dr Natalia Gomez Perez (2017-2019)
Dr Irina Makarenko (2015-2019)
Dr Luiz Felippe Santiago Rodrigues (2014-2016)
Dr Benjamin Favie (2010-2011)