James Afful

Graduate Research Assistant

  • I am James Afful, a mechanical engineering graduate student originally from Ghana. 
  • I am eager to explore the confluence of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and machine learning (ML) in the context of urban energy dynamics. I aim to unravel how ML models can enhance the predictive capabilities of traditional CFD simulations, making them more efficient and adaptable. Through the CommHeat project, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of urban heat islands, human-building interactions, and the overarching impact of climate change on urban systems.
  • As a member of the CFD team, my primary responsibility is to develop and refine simulations that capture the complexities of urban microclimates, and with machine learning, I’ll work on integrating data-driven algorithms with the CFD models to achieve more accurate and timely predictions. Furthermore, my role extends to ensuring that our models remain scientifically rigorous while benefiting from the adaptive nature of ML, aiming for a harmonious blend of computational mechanics and data science.