Meet KAUST New Student: Fabio Credali

About

Fabio Credali holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mathematics from the University of Pavia, Italy. Fabio joined KAUST in January 2021 as a Ph.D. candidate in the Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences program under the supervision of Professor Daniele Boffi.

What was your main subject during your master's degree? Why did you choose it?

The branch of mathematics that I prefer is numerical analysis because it allows me to transform mathematics' abstract concepts into something tangible, thanks to computer science and programming languages.
In particular, for my thesis, I have been involved in studying numerical methods useful for simulating the interactions between fluids and structures using the finite element method (FEM).

Why have you chosen to pursue a Ph.D. at KAUST?

I chose KAUST thanks to the advice and research perspectives presented to me by Professor Daniele Boffi, with whom I had already collaborated during my studies in Pavia.

When did you first become interested in Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences? What are your research interests?

Since high school, mathematics and computer science have been the core subject of my studies, which led me to enroll in the Faculty of Mathematics in Pavia.

Regarding my research, I am continuing my master's thesis work on fluid-structure interaction problems. I have also become interested in the Virtual Element Method (VEM) for partial differential equations (PDEs) in the last few months.

What do you do in your spare time? What are you passionate about?

During my spare time, when the weather permits, I enjoy hiking with friends. I am passionate about theater; I have staged several shows as a director and actor. I am also a member of a non-profit association in my town that deals with promoting cultural events in the region. I also like going to the cinema.

Can you give a piece of advice to students who plan to pursue a Master's/Ph.D. at KAUST?

Those who want to enroll in KAUST must have clear ideas about their research topic and be aware that the commitment required to their studies is considerable.