Resume

Aleksander Sandro GRM, PhD

Assistant Professor of Marine Hydrodynamics & Applied Mechanics

Academic & Research Profile

Assistant Professor of Marine Hydrodynamics and Applied Mechanics at the University of Ljubljana. My expertise bridges the gap between theoretical continuum physics, advanced numerical schemes for partial differential equations (PDEs), and high-fidelity industrial engineering software deployment.

With an extensive history leading private R&D projects alongside core university lecturing, my work optimizes performance matrices for aerospace propulsion, physical oceanography assets, biomedical treatment simulations, and custom maritime/naval architectures.

Academic Appointments

  • 2018 — Present Assistant Professor University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Maritime Technology and Transportation (FPP) | Portorož, Slovenia Lecturing and leading core academic research in:

    • Engineering Physics
    • Ship theory & Ocean navigation
    • Marine Hydrodynamics

  • 2021 — Present Researcher (Computational Mechanics) University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Engineering (FS) | Ljubljana, Slovenia Developing high-performance calculation codes, discrete mesh solvers, and advanced mechanical simulation architectures.

  • 2013 — 2017 Assistant / Lecturer University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transportation (FPP) | Portorož, Slovenia Conducted student tutorial sessions covering Technical Mechanics and Applied Engineering Mathematics.

  • 2007 — 2008 Assistant / Tutorial Lecturer University of Nova Gorica | Nova Gorica, Slovenia Led fundamental mathematics tutorial courses in Linear Algebra and Mathematical Analysis for physical sciences paths.

Education

  • 2003 — 2007 PhD in Industrial Mathematics | RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau (Department of Mathematics) | Kaiserslautern, Germany

    • Thesis: Mathematical Analysis of Macroscopic Models for Slow Dense Granular Flow
    • Advisors: Prof. Dr. Axel Klar & Prof. Emer. Dr. Helmut Neunzert
    • Supported fully via a competitive Fraunhofer ITWM Doctoral Research Scholarship.

  • 2002 — 2003 Master of Science (MSc) in Applied Mathematics | ICTP & SISSA Joint Academic Program | Trieste, Italy * Focus: Modeling and Simulation of Complex Realities

    • Thesis Project: Completed a four-month structural analysis simulation for high-pressure compressor valves in household refrigeration units. Advisor: Prof. Dr. Tomas Goetz

  • 1995 — 2001 Diploma in Physics (BSc Equiv.) | University of Ljubljana, Faculty for Mathematics and Physics (FMF) | Ljubljana, Slovenia

    • Thesis: Simulation of ship resistance in viscous media. Advisor: Prof. Dr. Rudolf Podgornik

  • 1993 — 1995 Diploma in Maritime Engineering - Navigation (BTech Equiv.) | University of Ljubljana, Faculty for Maritime Technology and Transportation | Portorož, Slovenia

    • Thesis: Graduated with a focus on hydrodynamic ship parameter models. . Advisor: Armand Klančič, MSc Naval Architect

Industrial R&D Experience

Chief Scientific Officer / Project Leader

Centre for Computational Continuum Mechanics (C3M), Slovenia (2008 — 2015) Spearheaded advanced corporate engineering implementations and complex multi-physics model setups:

  • Aerospace Propulsion: Modeled cold and hot gas micro/nano satellite thruster configurations using compressible Navier-Stokes numerical formulations.
  • Non-Newtonian Fluid Metallurgy: Modeled extrusion behavior and microstructure recrystallization pathways for complex aluminum alloy profiles.
  • Biomedical Engineering Systems: Automated inverse engineering optimization fields to calculate voltage drop maps for in vivo electro-poration oncology protocols.
  • Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI): Conducted safety modeling loops validating high-energy hydraulic stone-cutting machinery lines.

Early Engineering Operations

  • Marine Biology Station Piran (2001 — 2002): Designed relational MySQL databases, real-time data processing workflows, and custom dynamic charting systems for coastal oceanographic monitoring buoys.
  • HarphaSea Ltd. (2000 — 2001): Junior C++ Developer writing mathematical packages for hydrographic maps, bathymetric data processing, and integrated GNSS/VHF fleet tracking grids.
  • Splošna Plovba Piran (1992 — 1993): Deck Cadet completing 15 months of active deep-sea oceanic navigation watch-standing operations.

Computational Competencies

  • Programming Languages: C++, Python, Java, MATLAB, Octave, Wolfram Language
  • Math & Science Libraries: NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, OpenMP
  • Simulation Solvers: OpenFOAM, FEniCS/Dolfin, Deal.II, FreeFEM++
  • Infrastructure & CAD Tools: Linux (Advanced Systems Admin), Rhinoceros 3D, Autodesk Fusion/Inventor/Autocad

Funded Research & Applied Engineering Projects

  • Naval Architecture CFD & FEM Optimization Loops (2018 — 2025): Partnered with Andrej Justin Yacht Design. Executed high-fidelity CFD mesh resistance modeling and structural validation for Maxi Sailing Yachts (Justin 100), Catamaran Power Boats (KingCat 51), and advanced foil-assisted hull shapes.
  • Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Systems (2025): Implemented a joint propeller design and hydrodynamic drag prediction environment combining OpenPROP and deep OpenFOAM CFD configurations for security surveillance micro-subs.
  • SMARTSEA Project Leader (Erasmus+ K2 | 2019 — 2022): Orchestrated multi-university pilot curriculum structures focused on ocean monitoring drone automation arrays and data logging chains.
  • Blue4Seas Program (Erasmus+ K2 | 2020 — 2022): Designed simulation-backed learning modules evaluating toxic industrial oil spill migration pathways and tracking arrays in port environments.
  • PRACE Peta-scale Frameworks (2019): Developed optimized code structures targeting high-performance cluster computing matrix operations using dense linear algebra distributions.

Academic Visits

  • UNI-ZG (2024): Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb.
  • TU Delft (2023): Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (Department of Maritime & Transport Technology).
  • NTNU Trondheim (2019): Visiting Professor at the Department of Marine Technology. Concurrently worked on a project related to isogeometric BEM for propeller fluid flow.