The Applied Mathematics and Differential Equations group within the Department of Mathematics have a great diversity of research interests, but a tying theme in each respective research program is its connection and relevance to problems or phenomena which occur in the engineering and physical sciences.
Faculty
George Avalos is interested in the mathematical control and numerical analysis of those coupled partial differential equations (PDE's) which model the control design of interactive structures by means of smart material technology. By coupled PDE's, we mean those which comprise a coupling of two or more disparate dynamics; e.g., a heat equation coupled to a wave equation. Physical systems which can be modeled by such classes of PDE's include structural, structural acoustic, thermal/structure and fluid/structure interaction systems. The consideration of control theory for these coupled PDE's leads to many interesting problems, owning to (i) the pointwise-distributed (and unbounded) nature of the actuators and sensors which are embedded within the structure; (ii) The intrinsic nature of the coupling between the PDE dynamics. The analysis and resolution of control problems involving these coupled models often require PDE/microlocal analytical techniques.
Steve Cohn is generally interested in applied math and applicable analysis; in particular, his research involves work in nonlinear partial differential equations. In his many research projects, he typically collaborates with scientists and engineers in other disciplines. In fact, at the moment he is collaborating with a colleague from the Department of Chemical Engineering on work involving a model of reaction propagation in solids. His tools of research include mathematical modeling, numerical experimentation, inverse scattering theory and stochastic processes. ( In this context, "inverse scattering theory" refers to a method of solving certain nonlinear partial differential equations.)
Bo Deng is interested in dynamical systems and their applications. One of his current projects involves the analysis of various chaos-generating mechanisms within a particular food-chain model. This research will hopefully culminate in a better understanding of issues surrounding biocomplexity. Another project deals with the mathematical modeling of certain types of neuron cells, with a view towards understanding the mathematical theory of neuron-to-neuron communication. The main mathematical tools which Professor Deng uses in his research activities are the qualitative theory of differential equations and techniques of nonlinear analysis.
Steve Dunbar has research interests in nonlinear differential equations, and applied dynamical systems, particularly those which arise in mathematical biology. In conjunction with his work with differential equation models and systems of mathematical biology, he is also interested in stochastic processes, the numerical and computer-aided solution of differential equations, and mathematical modeling. He also is interested in issues of mathematical education at the high school and collegiate level. He is the Director of the American Mathematics Competitions program of the Mathematical Association of America which sponsors middle school and high school mathematical competitions leading to the selection and training of the USA delegation to the annual International Mathematical Olympiad. In addition, he has interests in documenting trends in collegiate mathematics course enrollments and using mathematical software to teach and learn mathematics.
Lynn Erbe has been interested mainly in the general area of boundary value problems and oscillation theory for ordinary differential, functional, and dynamic equations on time scales. In particular, he has long been interested in the generalized Emden-Fowler, or Thomas-Fermi equation. Such equations arise in applications in astrophysics, engineering, and other areas of applied mathematics and physics. He has also long been interested in linear systems theory, oscillations, eigenvalue problems, and asymptotic behaviour of solutions.
Mikil Foss
Wendy Hines does research in dynamical systems. She is interested in the general theory and also applications to delay equations and partial differential equations. Currently she is working on a a reaction-diffusion equation with nonlocal diffusion which models gene propogation through a population. This is a very interesting problem as very little has be one on it and it defies the application of standard reaction-diffusion methods.
Glenn Ledder works in mathematical modeling for life sciences and physical sciences. His current interests include population dynamics and dynamic energy budget models. He is also active in developing an undergraduate mathematics curriculum for biology students and in mentoring REU student groups. He is the director of the RUTE (Research for Undergraduates in Theoretical Ecology) program.
David Logan works in the area of applied mathematics and ecological modeling. His interests include ordinary and nonlinear partial differential equations and their application to mathematical ecology, including nutrient cycling, physiologically-structured population dynamics, and insect ecophysiology.
Allan Peterson is mainly interested in the general area of boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations, discrete dynamical systems (difference equations), and dynamic equations on time scales. In fact, he has recently written a book concerning dynamic equations on time scales. This theory combines difference equations and differential equations, and moreover generalizes to many other interesting problems. This work has applications to problems in biology and many other fields. Research into the general theory of dynamic equations on time scales originated in 1988; consequently there are many open questions still to be investigated.
Petronela Radu works in Partial Differential Equations, with an emphasis on wave equations. She studies qualitative problems for solutions (e.g. existence, uniqueness, regularity) and also long time behavior (rates of decay or blow-up). This area of research is very active due to the large applicability of hyperbolic problems in physics (e.g. the motion of a membrane), quantum theory (the Klein-Gordon equation or Schrodinger equation), or heat transfer in plasma (hyperbolic diffusion).
Mohammad Rammaha has research interests in applied mathematics and analysis. In particular, his research deals with issues concerning nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations, including global existence, blow up and long time behaviour of solutions
Richard Rebarber does research in Distributed Parameter Control Theory and in Mathematical Ecology. His Control Theory research includes control design and analysis for abstract infinite dimensional systems, and for systems of partial differential equations, such as coupled systems of partial differential equations. He studies issues such as sampled-data control, tracking and disturbance rejection, zero dynamics, and robustness. These issues are generally well understood for finite-dimensional systems, but there are many interesting and difficult issues which arise for infinite-dimensional systems.
Brigitte Tenhumberg uses stochastic, discrete time models tailored to specific biological systems to advance the understanding of ecological processes. The models she uses include stochastic dynamic programming, matrix models, and agent based simulation models. One area of research emphasis is optimal decision making of animals (foraging or life history decisions) or humans (management of wildlife populations). Recent work addresses topics in invasion ecology, in particular understanding ecological mechanisms promoting ecosystem resistance to invasions.
Daniel Toundykov is interested in well-posedness, stability and control properties of mathematical models described by partial differential equations. His work delves into a number of PDE problems including nonlinear wave equations, thin plates (Mindlin, von Karman, Berger), Maxwell’s equations, as well as coupled systems with an interface, such as structure-acoustic or fluid-structure interaction models.
Graduate Students
Khulud Alyousef (PhD 2012) Lynn Erbe and Allan Peterson
Tanner Auch (PhD 2013) Lynn Erbe and Allan Peterson
Pushp Awasthi (PhD 2013) Lynn Erbe and Allan Peterson
Abigail Brackins Lynn Erbe and Allan Peterson
Tom Clark (PhD 2014) George Avalos
Eric Eager (PhD 2012) Richard Rebarber
Christina Edholm Richard Rebarber and Brigitte Tenhumberg
Joe Geisbauer (PhD 2013) Mikil Foss
Christopher Goodrich (PhD 2012) Lynn Erbe and Allan Peterson
Yangiu Guo (PhD 2012)Mohammad Rammaha
Ben Nolting David Logan
Pei Pei Mohammad Rammaha and Daniel Toundykov
Sara Reynolds Glenn Ledder and Chad Brassil
Julia St. Goar Allan Peterson
Jeremy Trageser Petronela Radu and Daniel Toundykov