The Neil Ashton Podcast
by Neil Ashton
This podcast focuses on explaining the fascinating ways that science and engineering change the world around us. In each episode, we talk to leading engineers from elite-level sports like cycling and Formula 1 to some of world's top academics to understand how fluid dynamics, machine learning & supercomputing are bringing in a new era of discovery. We also hear life stories, career advice and lessons they've learnt along the way that will help you to pursue a career in science and engineering.
Episodes
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S4 EP8 - Why I Left NVIDIA for Mistral
Why leave NVIDIA to join Mistral? In this episode, Neil Ashton explains his move to Mistral as VP of Computational Engineering, where he will work alongside Johannes Brandstetter on AI for engineering, physics foundation models and large language models. Neil reflects on the career decisions that...
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S4 EP7 - Should You Still Study Engineering in the Age of AI?
Should you still study engineering when AI can already write code, analyse data and automate parts of an engineer's job? In this solo episode, Neil Ashton gives his view on engineering education and careers in the age of AI. His answer is yes—but the skill set is changing. Neil explains why...
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S4 EP6 - Daniel Mira on Hydrogen Combustion Modelling and Future Propulsion
Hydrogen combustion, high-fidelity CFD and the future of aircraft propulsion are the focus of this conversation with Dr. Daniel Mira, Head of the Propulsion Technologies Group at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. Neil and Dani discuss why reacting flows are so difficult to simulate, how…
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S4 EP5 - Prof. Nils Thuerey on Differentiable Physics and Foundation Models
Differentiable physics, neural emulators and foundation models for PDEs are the focus of this conversation with Professor Nils Thuerey, head of the Physics-based Simulation group at TUM. Neil and Nils discuss PhiFlow, PICT, Tadpole, scalable 3D transformers, online synthetic data, open datasets,...
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S4 EP4 - Prof. Paola Cinnella on AI for Science and Fluid Mechanics
RANS uncertainty, data-driven turbulence modeling and AI for Science are the focus of this conversation with Professor Paola Cinnella, Professor of Fluid Mechanics at Sorbonne University and Director of SCAI. Neil and Paola discuss high-order methods, dense gases, Bayesian uncertainty, AirfRANS,...
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S4 EP3 - Prof. Ricardo Vinuesa on AI for Fluid Mechanics
Foundation models, explainable AI and autonomous discovery in fluid mechanics are the focus of this conversation with Professor Ricardo Vinuesa, Associate Chair for Research and Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan. Neil and Ricardo discuss latent...
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S4 EP2 - Prof. Nathan Kutz on Physics-Informed AI and Data-Driven Modeling
Physics-informed AI, DMD, SINDy and data-driven engineering are the focus of this conversation with Professor J. Nathan Kutz, Director of Physics-Informed AI at Autodesk. Neil and Nathan trace machine learning’s evolution in engineering, the role of physics in trustworthy models, and the future…
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S4 EP1 - Are AI Agents and Foundation Models About to Rewrite CAE?
In this episode, Neil explores how agents, foundation models, and AI are set to transform the Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) landscapes. He shares a comprehensive historical perspective and predicts a near-future where AI-driven automation redefines...
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S3 EP9 - Fluid Intelligence with Johannes Brandstetter and Siddhartha Mishra
In this conversation, Neil Ashton and Prof. Siddhartha Mishra, and Prof. Johannes Brandstetter discuss their recent paper on AI foundation models in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). They explore the backgrounds of the speakers, the journey to writing the paper, the role of AI in CFD, and the...
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S3 EP8 - The Conference Connection (HPC, CAE, ML & Engineering)
In this episode, Neil Ashton discusses various conferences and workshops in the automotive, aerospace, and machine learning fields. He highlights the importance of these events for networking, education, and staying updated with industry trends. From the SAE and AIAA events to machine learning...
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S3 EP7 - 5 key trends for CFD revisited
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, the host revisits key trends in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) from the past year, focusing on the rise of GPUs, advancements in AI and machine learning, the shift to cloud computing, the increasing adoption of high fidelity methods, and ongoing...
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S3 EP6 Prof. Brian Launder - CFD and Turbulence Modelling Pioneer
Professor Brian Launder, Professor at the University of Manchester and Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, reflects on more than 50 years of turbulence-modeling and CFD research. Neil and Brian discuss the influence of Professor Brian Spalding, the development of the...
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S3 EP5 - Joris Poort - CEO and Founder of Rescale
In this episode, Joris Poort, CEO and founder of Rescale, shares his personal journey on founding Rescale as well as his thoughts on the future of CAE. He discusses the challenges of introducing HPC to the cloud market, the traits that make successful founders, and the importance of perseverance...
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S3 EP4 - 5 tips for CAE engineers in the era of AI
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Neil discusses the impact of AI on CAE engineering, providing five essential tips for engineers to thrive in this evolving landscape. The conversation covers the importance of maintaining an open mind, continuous education, and preparing for AI physics...
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S3 EP3 - Professor Johannes Brandstetter on AI for Computational Fluid Dynamics
In this conversation, Neil Ashton interviews Prof. Johannes Brandstetter, a physicist turned machine learning expert, about his journey from academia to industry, focusing on the application of machine learning in engineering and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). They discuss the Aurora…
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S3 EP2 - Prof. Russell Cummings - World leader in Aerospace Engineering and Hypersonics
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Professor Russell Cummings shares his extensive journey through the fields of aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics and hypersonics. He discusses his early inspirations, his early days at University and the Hughes Aircraft Company - a key time…
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S3 EP1 - Prof. Mike Giles - A CFD and Computational Finance Pioneer
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Professor Mike Giles shares his extensive journey through the fields of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), computational finance and HPC. He discusses his early academic influences, his early days at Cambridge, internships at Rolls-Royce, his…
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S2 EP11 - Foundational AI Models for Fluids
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, the discussion revolves around foundational models in fluid dynamics, particularly in the context of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Neil shares insights from a recent panel discussion and explores the potential of AI in predicting fluid behavior.…
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S2 EP10 - Dr. Kurt Bergin-Taylor, Head of Innovation - Tudor Pro Cycling
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Neil discusses the intersection of cycling and engineering with Kurt Bergin-Taylor, head of innovation at Tudor Pro Cycling. They explore how technology and science are transforming cycling into a more competitive and innovative sport, akin to Formula...
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S2, EP9 - New Job Update! (and a small apology..)
A short episode to give a brief update on what I've been doing and to say sorry for not putting out episodes recently. I've joined NVIIDA as a Distinguished CAE Architect and have been rather busy! New episodes will be coming soon! Listen to the episode to learn more. Full episode, corrected...
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S2, EP8 - Neil Ashton - Career advice for Engineers
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Neil discusses career advice for aspiring engineers, focusing on the differences between various types of companies, job roles, and the growing importance of software skills in the engineering field. The conversation highlights the pros and cons of...
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S2, EP7 - Prof. Michael Mahoney - Perspectives on AI4Science
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Professor Michael Mahoney discusses the intersection of machine learning, mathematics, and computer science. The conversation covers topics such as randomized linear algebra, foundational models for science, and the debate between physics-informed and...
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S2, EP6 - Dr. Prith Banerjee - ANSYS CTO
In this episode of the Neil Ashton Podcast, Dr. Prith Banerjee, CTO of Ansys, shares his extensive journey from academia to the corporate world, discussing the interplay between academia and industry, the role of startups in innovation, and the transformative potential of AI and ML in simulation....
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S2, EP5 - NASA's Quesst for Quieter Supersonic Flight with Peter Coen
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Peter Coen from NASA discusses the evolution and future of supersonic travel, focusing on the challenges faced by the Concorde, the technological hurdles of modern supersonic aircraft, and the innovative NASA Quesst mission (and X-59 demonstrator) that...
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S2, EP4 - Celebrating Prof. Antony Jameson: A CFD Pioneer
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, we celebrate the life and contributions of Professor Antony Jameson, a pioneer in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The conversation explores his early influences, academic journey, and significant contributions to aerodynamics and engineering....
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S2, EP3 - Dr Michael Hutchinson - Cycling aerodynamics and the lifelong pursuit to go faster
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of cycling, focusing on the critical role of aerodynamics and the evolution of training techniques. Featuring Dr. Michael Hutchinson, a former top-level cyclist and expert in cycling aerodynamics, the conversation...
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S2, EP2: The Future of CFD: 5 Key Trends to Watch
In this episode, Neil discusses five key trends in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) that are shaping the industry now and in the coming years. He emphasizes the growing importance of GPUs, the integration of AI and machine learning, the shift towards cloud computing, and the potential for…
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S2, EP1 - Dr. Nikolas Tombazis - From Poacher to Gamekeeper, Defining the future of Formula 1
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Nikolas Tombazis discusses his journey into engineering and Formula One, starting from his passion for mathematics, physics, and design. He shares how his childhood dream of designing Formula One cars led him to pursue engineering. Tombazis also talks...
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S1, EP14 - Season 1 Recap and what's next
The first season of the Neil Ashton podcast comes to a close with a recap of the episodes and a glimpse into what's to come in the next season. Look out for Season 2 in September with lots more great guests and discussion on hypersonics, CFD, Formula One, cycling, space exploration and more! Full...
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S1, EP13 - Prof. Anima Anandkumar - The future of AI+Science
Professor Anima Anandkumar is one of the world’s leading scientists in AI and machine learning, with more than 30,000 citations, an h-index of 80 and landmark papers including FourCastNet, which received worldwide coverage for demonstrating how AI can accelerate weather prediction. She is the…
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S1, EP12 - Prof Karthik Duraisamy - Scientific Foundation Models
Prof. Karthik Duraisamy is a Professor at the University of Michigan, the Director of the Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery and Engineering (MICDE) and the founder of the startup Geminus.AI. In this episode, we discuss AI for Science, with a particular focus on fluid dynamics and...
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S1, EP11 - Prof. Max Welling - Machine Learning Pioneer & AI4Science Visionary
In this episode, Neil interviews Professor Max Welling, one of the foremost experts in Machine Learning about AI4Science: the use of machine learning and AI to solve challenges in various scientific disciplines. They discuss and debate between data-driven and physics-driven approaches, the...
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S1, EP10 - AI4Science - Personal Thoughts and Perspectives
This episode sets the scene for upcoming discussions on AI4Science with world renowned experts on machine learning. The focus is on using machine learning to solve scientific problems, such as computational fluid dynamics, weather modeling, material design, and drug discovery. The episode...
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S1, EP9 - Dr Chris Rumsey - NASA & Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Neil interviews Dr. Chris Rumsey, Research Scientist at NASA Langley Research Center. Chris is one of the main CFD experts at NASA Langley is globally reconised as a leader in CFD, particularly for aeronautical applications. The conversation focuses on...
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S1, EP8 - Prof Jack Dongarra - High Performance Computing (HPC) Pioneer
In this episode, Neil speaks to Professor Jack Dongarra, a renowned figure in the supercomputing and high-performance computing (HPC) world. He is a Professor at University of Tennessee as well as a Distinguished Researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and a Turing Fellow at the...
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S1, EP7 - Pat Symonds - Formula 1 Legend
In this episode, Neil interviews Pat Symonds, one of the most well known and respected engineers in Formula One. They discuss Pat's career in engineering, his time in Formula One, and the evolution of the sport. Pat shares insights into his early motivations, his work with different teams, and…
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S1, EP6 - Prof Juan Alonso - the Future of Computational Science
In this episode I speak to Prof Juan J. Alonso on his vision of the future of computational science as well as his journey from academia to entrepreneurship - founding Luminary Cloud. He reflects on the revolutions in computational science and the different ways of developing software throughout...
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S1, EP5 - Dimitris Katsanis - Designing the World's Fastest Bikes
In this conversation, Neil interviews Dimitris Katsanis, one of the world leading experts in bike design. They discuss the UCI regulations that govern bike design for road and track racing. Dimitris explains the evolution of bike design and the role of carbon fiber and titanium in creating...
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S1, EP4 - Academia or Industry? PhD or no PhD? Career advice
Summary In this episode, Neil discusses four key career questions that you should think about. He explores the pros and cons of pursuing a PhD, the path to becoming a professor, and the opportunities in the tech sector. He highlights the importance of gaining industry experience and the potential...
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S1, EP3 - Prof Tony Purnell - F1, British Cycling, PI Research and much more
Professor Tony Purnell discusses his journey from a passion for motor racing and engineering in his youth to founding and leading Pi Research, a company specializing in race car electronics. He shares his experiences at university, including a Kennedy Scholarship to MIT, and his early career in…
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S1, EP2 - Dr Florian Menter - Turbulence Modelling Pioneer
Florian Menter discusses his journey in the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the development of the K-Omega SST model. He shares his experiences working at NASA Ames and the collaborative environment in the CFD community. Florian also talks about his decision to return to Germany…
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S1, EP1 - Neil Ashton - Podcast Intro
In this short first episode Neil will explain why he's created the podcast, the guests he'll be interviewing and the topics that will be covered. Full episode, corrected transcript and resources: https://neilashton.co.uk/podcasts/s1-e1-podcast-introduction/
About this show
This podcast focuses on explaining the fascinating ways that science and engineering change the world around us. In each episode, we talk to leading engineers from elite-level sports like cycling and Formula 1 to some of world's top academics to understand how fluid dynamics, machine learning & supercomputing are bringing in a new era of discovery. We also hear life stories, career advice and lessons they've learnt along the way that will help you to pursue a career in science and engineering.
Hosted by
Neil Ashton
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