2025 Internship Project Overview

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form the most widespread symbiotic partnership in nature, engaging symbioses with over 70% of land plants. This relationship is responsible for extensive underground fluid transport networks with crucial applications in agriculture and biodiversity. However, few studies exist on AMF fluid dynamics, which are distinct from other network-like plants or organisms. My research analyzed nutrient transport dynamics in order to quantify the effects of AMF network architecture on transport efficiency. I developed mathematical models representing hyphal nutrient uptake and delivery to the plant root using a transient advection-diffusion equation with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions, focusing on their quasi-steady state behavior. I conducted numerical simulations and validated them against analytical solutions to compare maximal fluxes and time constants between straight and branched networks of varying complexities. The results, indicating a tradeoff between higher maximal flux achieved by branching and a slower rate of approach to steady state, is directly relevant to future work in AMF structural optimization.

This internship is connected to the HMEI Biodiversity Grand Challenges project, “Addressing the Puzzle of Time-Varying, Bidirectional Flows in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Networks.”

ORGANIZATION/RESEARCH GROUP

Complex Fluids Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University

LOCATION

Princeton, New Jersey

 

Interns

Sophie Khan ’28
Major: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Minor(s): Applied and Computational Mathematics, Engineering Physics
"I gained valuable skills in mathematical modeling and meaningful insights into academic research. I had a great, rewarding experience, and I plan to continue working on this project during the academic year, which I’m looking forward to. My work this summer has inspired me to pursue a minor in Applied and Computational Mathematics, and it’s also deepened my appreciation for the wide-ranging applications of my major, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering."

Click to view the end-of-project presentation

 

Howard Stone
Neil A. Omenn ’68 University Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Mentors

  • Filipe Henrique, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering