Bio 🌱

Dr. Ricardo Vinuesa is an Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering Mechanics, at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. He is also a Researcher at the AI Sustainability Center in Stockholm and Vice Director of the KTH Digitalization Platform. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. His research combines numerical simulations and data-driven methods to understand and model complex wall-bounded turbulent flows, such as the boundary layers developing around wings, obstacles, or the flow through ducted geometries. He has also led several international initiatives within sustainable and interpretable AI, which have led to highly influential articles in the literature.

Dr. Vinuesa’s research is funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR) and the Swedish e-Science Research Centre (SeRC). He has also received the Göran Gustafsson Award for Young Researchers.

Q&A 🗣️

About Ricardo 📝

I am a Spanish engineer, originally from Valencia, father of 2, who loves machine learning, high-performance computing and fluid mechanics. Ten years ago I was working in industry in Spain (consulting for Airbus) while finishing my PhD. Nowadays I live in Stockholm, I am an Associate Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, in Stockholm.

His First Job 💼

My first job can be considered to be tutoring students, which I have done since I was 14-15. So I have always loved to teach and discuss with students. I also really enjoy physics, and fluid mechanics is a fascinating subject in which I naturally ended after my engineering studies.

About Your Research 🧑‍🔬

I believe that machine learning is transforming science, in particular the field of fluid mechanics due to the possibilities of really discovering novel analysis methods and hidden physics.

Day-to-Day Work ✍️

As faculty, I do a wide range of things, from teaching, mentoring, writing papers, writing research proposals, leading research discussions and meetings or performing service work at the department. I really enjoy developing my group and mentoring the next generation of talented and passionate engineers and scientists!

Hard- and Soft Skills Vital In Your Job 🎯

Hard - analytical skills, critical thinking.

Soft - capacity to communicate, interact with big groups and to connect with a wide range of people.

Is Passion a Prerequisite for Success? 🔥

Yes indeed, passion, motivation, and a strong drive to change the world.

What are Your Greatest Career Strengths? 💪

I try to be good at listening to different people, understanding the great variety of needs and perspectives and try to find new research areas of great potential.

Time When You Turned a Threat Into an Opportunity? ⚠️

I think that in science the environment is constantly changing, and this can certainly be considered as an opportunity.

What's More Important – Education or Skills & Experience? 🧠

Both; strong technical skills thanks to the highly demanding Spanish educational system; and then the experience has shaped my professional path.

How Much Time do You Spend on a Problem Before Dropping it? 🚫

It is hard to tell, it really depends on the situation and problem. But in general it is good to discuss problems and try to obtain different perspectives on them.

Daily Habits ✔️

One important habit is to dedicate some time for workout, this really helps to keep a balanced life style.

Where do You See Your Industry Going in the Future? 🧪

There will be a much stronger interaction with data, machine learning and new analysis methods.

Top 3 Pieces of Advice to Juniors 💁

Trust yourself and your skills; surround yourself with positive people; find the motivation and drive in what you do.

Biggest Success Factor on Your Journey 🚀

Passion and being open and collaborative.

What Inspired You to Become an Engineer? 🧑‍🔬

I really love physics, mathematics and being able to solve challenging problems with impact on the world.

Most Challenging Project 💪

Everyday, research is challenging and inspiring.

Most Important Skills for a Successful Career 🛠

Both technical and social skills are equally important.

I read the literature frequently, go to conferences and use social media.

Most Rewarding Thing About Your Work 🏆

Being able to mentor and see the development of the young people.

Advice to Someone Starting Their Career ✅

To keep motivation, good values, and strive for enjoying in what they do.

Work-Life Balance? ⚖️

I spend quite a lot of time with my family, and also exercise everyday.

What Sets Great People Apart from Good Ones? 🧑‍🔬

Motivation, values and being able to reach out to others.

What Excites You About the Future? 🔮

All the great developments with machine learning and transformative multidisciplinary research.

One Science Concept That Engineers Commonly Misunderstand? 🤔

Many; but nowadays there are tremendous misunderstandings in the context of machine learning.

You're Left on an Island with 3 people. Who do You Pick? 🏝️

I would choose inspirational people who changed the perspective of their own fields: Richard Feynman, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan.

Keep engineering your mind! ❤️

Jousef