Mihkel Kõrgesaar is an Estonian engineer and academic specializing in naval architecture, hydrodynamics, and material behaviour of marine structures. He is a tenured Associate Professor in the Naval Architecture and Hydrodynamics Research Group at Tallinn University of Technology’s Kuressaare College. He completed his doctoral studies at Aalto University in 2015 with a dissertation on modelling ductile fracture in ship structures using shell elements. Before joining TalTech, he held research positions including postdoctoral research and visiting scholar roles at Aalto University. Kõrgesaar’s research focuses on the behaviour, failure mechanisms, and numerical modelling of marine structures, particularly under extreme loading conditions. He has published extensively on finite element analysis, fracture mechanics, and structural performance of vessels and components in top peer-reviewed journals, contributing significantly to the field’s understanding of marine structural integrity. In 2024, he was promoted to the rank of tenured Associate Professor in recognition of his academic leadership and research excellence.
Kõrgesaar leads research projects aimed at improving safety, energy efficiency, and design methodologies for maritime engineering. He also supervises graduate students and contributes to curriculum development in marine engineering and material modelling. In addition, he represents Estonia in international scientific committees related to ship and offshore structure research. Through his combined work in research, teaching, and professional service, Kõrgesaar plays an important role in advancing marine technology education and innovation within Estonia and internationally.