Sara Zahedi

I am a professor of Numerical Analysis at the Department of Mathematics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

My research bridges mathematical theory and practical applications, with the goal of improving numerical algorithms to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of computer simulations. My work focuses on computational methods for solving partial differential equations (PDEs) in evolving domains, particularly in multiphase flow simulations, where interfaces separate immiscible fluids.

Finite Element Methods (FEM) are widely used to solve PDEs in complex geometries. However, traditional FEM require remeshing to handle large deformations, since conforming meshes are necessary to ensure accuracy and robustness. To overcome this limitation, we have developed and advanced Cut Finite Element Methods (CutFEM), an alternative that allows evolving geometries to intersect computational meshes arbitrarily while maintaining accuracy and stability. A recent review of CutFEM was published in Acta Numerica.

I earned my doctorate from KTH with a dissertation on numerical methods for fluid interface problems, and later held a postdoctoral position at Uppsala University. In 2016, I was awarded the European Mathematical Society Prize for excellent contributions in mathematics by young researchers. In 2019, I received a Wallenberg Fellowship, which was extended in 2024. I currently serve as an Associate Editor of SIAM Journal on Numerical Analysis (SINUM).

I also serve on the SCI Faculty Board, where I work to enhance collaboration and transparency in faculty decision-making.