Optimization, Inversion, Machine Learning, and Uncertainty for Complex Systems
The center conducts research broadly in computational science and engineering, on both (1) advanced mathematical, computational, and statistical theory and algorithms for high-dimensional, complex problems, and (2) the applications of these methods to address challenging scientific and engineering problems. Current methodological research is in the areas of inverse problems, uncertainty quantification, Bayesian inference, stochastic optimization and optimal control, machine learning, model reduction, and scalable parallel algorithms for these problems as well as the forward PDE models that underlie them. Scientific problems of current interest include those in (1) geophysics and climate science (including ice sheet dynamics and ice-ocean interaction, mantle convection, seismology, subsurface multiphase flows and poroelasticity, and tsunamis), (2) advanced materials and manufacturing processes (including metamaterials, nanomaterials, and additive manufacturing), and (3) infectious disease spread.
Directors
Omar Ghattas
Faculty and Research Staff
Postdocs
Students
Staff
Members outside the Oden Institute
Fred Khouri, Joseph Kirchoff
Projects:
1. Title: AEOLUS: Advances in Experimental Design, Optimal Control, and Learning for Uncertain Complex Systems
Sponsor: DOE ASCR MMICCs program
Lead PIs: Omar Ghattas, Karen Willcox
Co-PIs: Francis Alexander (Brookhaven), George Biros, Ed Dougherty (TAMU), Max Gunburger, Youssef Marzouk (MIT), Robert Moser, J. Tinsley Oden, John Turner (ORNL), Clayton Webster.
Website: https://aeolus.oden.utexas.edu
2. Title: Learning Optimal Aerodynamic Designs
Sponsor: ARPA-E
PI: Omar Ghattas
Co-PIs: Joaquim Martins (Michigan), Karen Willcox
Website: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/technologies/projects/learning-optimal-aerodynamic-designs
3. Title: Scalable and Efficient Approximation of Hessians for Seismic Inverse Problems
Sponsor: Total E&P
PI: Omar Ghattas
4. Title: Hybrid Discretizations of Wave Equations in Petroleum Exploration
Sponsor: KAUST
PI: Omar Ghattas
5. Title: Finding Optimum Magnetic Fields with Hidden Symmetries
Sponsor: Simons Foundation
PI: Omar Ghattas (collaboration with Princeton, NYU, Cornell, Columbia, Wisconsin, Australian National University, Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, Maryland, Warwick, Colorado–Boulder)
Website: https://hiddensymmetries.princeton.edu
6. Title: Scalable Computational Methods for Large-scale PDE-constrained Stochastic Optimization Under High-dimensional Uncertainty Sponsor: NSF DMS
PI: Peng Chen
Co-PI: Omar Ghattas
7. Title: Computation for the Endless Frontier/ Operations & Maintenance for the Endless Frontier
Sponsor: NSF OAC
PI: Dan Stanzione
Co-PIs: Omar Ghattas, Tommy Minyard, D.K. Panda (Ohio State), and John West
Website: https://frontera-portal.tacc.utexas.edu/
8. Title: Preliminary Design Planning for the Leadership-Class Computing Facility
Sponsor: NSF OAC
PI: Dan Stanzione
Co-PIs: Omar Ghattas, John West
9. Title: RISE of the Machines: Robust, Interpretable, Scalable, Efficient Decision Support
Sponsor: DOE ASCR
Lead PI: Karen Willcox
Co-PIs: Omar Ghattas, John Jakeman (Sandia), Lars Ruthetto (Emory), Bart van Bloemen Waanders (Sandia)
10. Title: Machine Learning for Physics-based Systems: Optimal Approximations, Architectures, and Training
Sponsor: DOD/MURI
PI: Karen Willcox
Co-PIs: Omar Ghattas, Jorge Nocedal (Northwestern), Hayden Schaeffer (CMU), Steve Wright (Wisconsin)
News in brief
News
Sept. 7, 2026
Fusion Energy Seed Grants Launch New Interdisciplinary Collaborations at UT Austin
Faculty at UT Austin, including Oden Institute faculty, have been awarded seed grants to unite fusion physicists, engineers and computational scientists while training graduate students for careers in fusion energy. The projects will develop faster, AI-assisted tools for plasma control, liquid-metal reactor materials, magnetic confinement and plasma-edge simulations.
News
July 22, 2026
Oden Institute Faculty Selected for Four Projects in Department of Energy's AI-for-Science "Genesis Mission"
Oden Institute faculty will be contributing to four projects that address national priorities in the areas of rare earth minerals, digital twins for fusion energy reactors, additive manufacturing, and digital twins for efficient nuclear energy.
News
July 3, 2026
Where Earth Science Meets Artificial Intelligence: Inside the HydroML Symposium
Researchers gathered in May at the Oden Institute for the fifth HydroML Symposium, a three-day meeting at the intersection of artificial intelligence and machine learning in water and Earth sciences.