Professor Daniel N. Wilke
The Art and Science of Mismatch: Aligning Data, Models, Latent Spaces, Fidelity and Engineering Objectives
University of the Witwatersrand
Professor Daniel N. Wilke is a South African researcher and educator specialising in physics-based, hybrid and data-driven generative modelling and optimisation.
His work includes the development of gradient-only optimisation methods for discontinuous loss functions, multi-fidelity surrogate modelling strategies, data pre-transformation strategies and improvements in latent variable models to enhance interpretability and causal insights. Through his research, teaching, and consulting, he consistently applies theoretical insights to address practical challenges in engineering and education.
He served as President of the South African Association for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics and as National Chairman of the International Union for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.
He has authored two books—Springer’s Practical Mathematical Optimization and The Lost Art of Learning—the former having received the Vice-Chancellor’s University of Pretoria Book Award. He is currently the Head of the School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand of Johannesburg.