Dr Alexander Pretty

(he/him)

FHEA

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

Fluid Dynamics
I studied a PhD in fluid dynamics at Cardiff University under the supervision of Dr Chris Davies, entitled "Linear disturbance evolution in the semi-infinite Stokes layer and related flows". In this project we demonstrated that the Stokes layer - being the flow generated by the sinusiodal motion of a bounding plate - is subject to a form of absolute instability. The approach taken was a combination of direct numerical simulation of the linearised Navier-Stokes equations and solution of an eigenvalue problem arising from a linear stability analysis informed by Floquet theory.

Indoor disease transmission
During the pandemic I conducted research investigating indoor transmission of COVID-19, with particular interest in the impact of air purification devices. The risk of infection was determined using an advection-diffusion-reaction equation so that the spatiotemporal variation across the room could be accounted for, with the purifier modelled as a source/sink of airflow into/out of the room. The research was carried out alongside Dr Katerina Kaouri and Prof Ian Griffiths.

Electromagnetics
I held a postdoctoral research position at Swansea University, with Prof Oubay Hassan, Dr Ruben Sevilla and Prof Kenneth Morgan, using reduced order modeling of Maxwell's equations to facilitate the design and optimisation of nano-scale structures for coatings on thermal solar panels. This work was undertaken in collaboration with industry partners LIST.

Teaching

I am currently teaching on the following undergraduate modules:

• MA1006 Foundations of Mathematics II
• MA2900 Problem Solving

Additionally, I am developing a new first-year module for the new Mathematics for the Modern World degree programme, which will be ready for the 2026/2027 academic year.

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Biography

I grew up in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and moved to Cardiff in 2010 when I began my undergraduate degree in Mathematics and its Applications here at the School of Mathematics. I've lived in Cardiff every since, undertaking my PhD off the back of my degree and commuting to Swansea when employed as a post-doc there. I have worked in the School of Mathematics since 2021, having worked as a Research Fellow and Teaching Fellow prior to my current position.

In 2021, I was married, and as a result changed my surname from Ramage to Pretty. My PhD thesis and my first paper are in my previous name.

Professional memberships

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Academic positions

Oct 2025 - present: Lecturer in Mathematical Sciences, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University

Oct 2021 - Oct 2025: Teaching Fellow, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University

Feb 2021 - July 2021: Post Doctoral Research Associate, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University

2018 - 2020: Post Doctoral Research Associate, College of Engineering, Swansea University