Shivani Prabala

Welcome!

I’m Shivani Prabala, a third-year Ph.D. student in Applied & Interdisciplinary Mathematics at the University of Michigan, working with Dr. Silas Alben. My research focuses on using mathematical modeling and optimization techniques to enhance heat transfer. Recently, I’ve concentrated on 2D straight channel geometries, applying concepts from physics, mathematics, and optimization algorithms to better understand and optimize fluid behavior for efficient thermal management.

In addition to my core research, I have a budding interest in how ideas from heat transfer and fluid dynamics can be applied to environmental and climate studies, with the goal of tackling energy and sustainability challenges using advanced mathematical tools.

Teaching: This semester (Fall 2025), I will be teaching Math 116 (Calc 2)!

Upcoming Conferences & Schools:

2025 SIAM Great Lakes Conference at Illinois Tech (Sep 27-28, 2025) [I am grateful to be supported by GLSIAM 2025 Travel Award (funded by NSF grant DMS-2534607).]
UKACM & GACM Autumn School 2025: Open-Source Codes for High-Performance Computing (Sep 29 - Oct 2, 2025)

Publications:

Talks:

The Third Joint SIAM/CAIMS Annual Meetings (AN25)
Chicago Area SIAM Student Conference (2025)
Marjorie Lee Browne Mini-Symposium (2023)

Research & Training Programs:

Mathematics of Sea Ice and Polar Ecosystems (Fairbanks, Alaska) (2025)
- Mini-project title: "Modeling ice algal blooms and nutrient transport via fluid flow"
Erdos Data Science Boot Camp (2025)
- Project title: "Prediction of likelihood of food product recall by the FDA"
Michigan Research Experience for Graduates (MREG) (2021)
- Project title: "Gerrymandering in school districts"

Undergraduate Mentorship:

Yuze Xu, Directed Reading Program (2025)
- Project title: "Introduction to PDE Theory: Cable and Heat Equations"
Mitchell Godek, Directed Reading Program (2024)
- Project title: "Stochastic Modeling of Chemical Reactions" [Math club talk finalist]

Teaching at the University of Michigan:

Math 105 (Pre-Calculus) (Fall 2022)
Math 115 (Calculus I) (Fall 2021, Fall 2023, Winter 2025)
Math 116 (Calculus II) (Winter 2022)

Contact: sprabala at umich dot edu

Office:

Department of Mathematics

5844 East Hall

Ann Arbor, MI 48014

Education:

Ph.D. (Applied and Interdisciplinary Mathematics) University of Michigan (2023 - TBD)
M.S. (Applied and Interdisciplinary Mathematics) University of Michigan (2021 - 2023)
B.A. (Applied Mathematics) University of California, Berkeley (2015 - 2019)

Mental Health Resources:

University of Michigan:

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, and/or in need of support, services are available. For help, contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at (734) 764-8312 and https://caps.umich.edu/. You may also consult University Health Service (UHS) at (734) 764-8320 and https://www.uhs.umich.edu/mentalhealthsvcs, or for alcohol or drug concerns, see www.uhs.umich.edu/aodresources. For a more comprehensive listing of the broad range of mental health services available on campus, please visit: https://caps.umich.edu/article/um-mental-health-resources.

Other Resources:

Suicide prevention hotlines: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention
UC Berkeley: https://uhs.berkeley.edu/counseling/lets-talk
Guidance on how to find a therapist