// Dr. Laura Harbach   const researcher = { name: "Laura Harbach", role: "Computational Researcher", at: "Brunel University London", domains: [ "Astrophysics", // M-dwarf space weather "Agent-Based Modeling", // Climate migration "Uncertainty Quantification" // HPC & policy ], tools: ["MHD", "ABM", "HPC", "Python", "C"] };   console.log(researcher);

Two worlds, one methodology

Astrophysics

Exoplanet Atmospheres & Stellar Winds

3D Magnetohydrodynamic simulations of stellar wind interactions with close-in exoplanet atmospheres. Investigating how space weather from M-dwarf stars like AU Mic drives atmospheric escape and shapes observable Lyman-alpha signatures.

MHD Simulations Space Weather Lyman-α Photoevaporation AU Mic
ABM & Migration

Climate-Driven Human Displacement

Agent-Based Models simulating population displacement during flooding, climate disasters and conflicts. Working with NGOs to forecast refugee return patterns and inform humanitarian policy with transparent, rule-based algorithms over black-box ML.

Agent-Based Modeling DFlee NGOs Bangladesh Ukraine

Recent Research

Astrophysics ยท 2022

Space Weather & AU Mic b

Modelled how space-weather conditions around AU Microscopii alter Lyman-alpha absorption patterns during planetary transits, revealing the dominant role of stellar winds in atmospheric escape.

ABM ยท 2025

DFlee: Flood Displacement Model

Developing DFlee โ€” integrating flood data with agent behavioural algorithms to simulate realistic evacuation timing, return decisions, and shelter-seeking in natural disaster contexts

ABM ยท Refugees

Forecasting refugee return to Ukraine amid ongoing war and uncertainty

Predictive ABM prototype forecasting potential return pathways of Ukrainian refugees for UNHCR

Publications

  • 2026

    On qualitative uncertainty in modelling assumptions

    Groen, D., Harbach, L.M. โ€” Journal of Computational Science, 94 (2026)

    ABM Uncertainty
  • 2025

    DFlee: An Agent-Based Model for Flood-Induced Population Displacement

    Jahani et al. 2025

    ABM Migration
  • 2024

    A Conceptual Approach to Agent-Based Modelling of Coping Mechanisms in Climate-Driven Flooding in Bangladesh

    Harbach, L.M., Groen, D., Jahani, A., et al. โ€” ICCS 2024

    ABM Climate
  • 2022

    Space-weather-driven Variations in Lyα Absorption Signatures of Exoplanet Atmospheric Escape: MHD Simulations and the Case of AU Mic b

    Cohen et al. 2022 โ€” The Astrophysical Journal

    Astrophysics MHD
  • 2021

    Stellar Winds Drive Strong Variations in Exoplanet Evaporative Outflow Patterns and Transit Absorption Signatures

    Harbach, L.M., Moschou, S.P., Garraffo, C., Drake, J.J., Alvarado-Gomez, J.D., Cohen, O., Fraschetti, F. โ€” The Astrophysical Journal

    Astrophysics Stellar Winds

Let's Connect

Interested in collaboration, speaking invitations, or curious about MHD simulations and refugee return modeling? I'd love to hear from you.