The Math/Stat Dept supports an active group of researchers with interests spanning a broad range. There is a strong emphasis on conducting research of regional significance, and on active involvement of both graduate and undergraduate students. Faculty members and graduate students are currently conducting research in the areas of bioinformatics, biostatistics, computational biology, computational engineering, financial analytics, forensic statistics, numerical analysis, quantitative genetics, Ramsey theory, and statistics. Here are descriptions of some of the projects currently in progress.
Faculty Research | Current Graduate Student Research | Past Dissertations
Faculty Research
Matt Biesecker
Research Interests: Mathematical Modeling, Optimization, Calculus of Variations
Optimization of Virotherapy for Cancer
The inverse problem of the calculus of variations for systems of second-order partial differential equations in the plane
Tom Brandenburger
Research Interests: Predictive Analytics, Financial Statistics
A Credit Evolution ASMBI
Kurt Cogswell
Research Interests: Dynamical Systems, Ergodic Theory
Entropy and Volume Growth
A Multiparameter Zero Density Subsequence Ergodic Theorem
Gemechis Djira
Research interests: Simultaneous inferences, bioassays, longitudinal data analysis, Statistical computing, Bayesian analysis, sequential methods
Multiple Comparisons of Parametric Models & in Longitudinal Studies (with Ramu Sudhagoni)
Relative Potency Estimation in Parallel-Line Assays
Xijin Ge
Research Interests: Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Cancer
Interpreting expression profiles of cancers by genome-wide survey of breadth of expression in normal tissues
The MicroArray Quality Control (MAQC)-II Study
Reducing False Positives in Molecular Pattern Recognition
Jung-Han Kimn
Research Interests: Efficient Parallel Algorithm based on Domain Decompositions: Mathematical Analysis and Practical Implementation
A convergence theory for an overlapping Schwarz algorithm using discontinuous iterates
Restricted overlapping balancing domain decomposition methods and restricted coarse problems for the Helmholtz problem
Numerical implementation of overlapping balancing domain decomposition methods on unstructured meshes
A numerical approach to space-time finite elements for the wave equation
Semhar Michael
Research Interests: Computational Statistics with a focus on Finitemixture modeling and model-based clustering
Studying complexity of model-based clustering
Semi-supervised model-based clustering with positive and negative constraints
Recent developments in model-based clustering with applications
Cedric Neumann
Research Interests: Applications of Statistics to the inference of sources of traces of evidence recovered from crime scenes (DNA, fingerprints, dust particles, etc.)
Improving the Understanding and the Reliability of the Concept of "Sufficiency" in Friction ridge Examination
Quantifying the weight of evidence from a forensic fingerprint comparison: a new paradigm
Chris Saunders
Research Interests: Forensic Inference of Source, Statistical Pattern Recognition and Approximation Theory
Construction and Evaluation of Classifiers for Forensic Document Analysis
Using Automated Comparisons to Quantify Handwriting Individuality
A novel application of quantile regression for identification of biomarkers exemplified by equine cartilage microarray data
Dan Schaal
Research Interests: Combinatorics, Ramsey theory on the Real numbers
A zero-sum theorem
Disjunctive Rado numbers
On a Variation of Schur Numbers
Off-Diagonal Generalized Schur Numbers
Don Vestal
Research Interests: Number Theory and Combinatorics (especially Ramsey Theory)
Construction of Weight Two Eigenforms Via the Generalized Dedekind Eta Function
The Discrete Rado number for x1+x2+...+xm+c=2x0
Sharon Vestal
Research Interests: Analyzing and Improving Student Performance in Calculus courses, Abstract Harmonic Analysis and Wavelet Theory
Orthonormal wavelets and shift invariant generalized multiresolution analyses
What I Learned… by Using an Online Homework System in Calculus I
Current Graduate Student Research
Doug Armstrong
working with Chris Saunders
Using Multi-State Markov Models to study Asian Carp Movement
Chad Birger
working with Dan Schaal
Computational Ramsey Theory
Brandon Breitling
working with Gemechis Djira
Mutual Information Pre-selection Compared to Step-wise Post-selection of Multiple Regression Model
Adam Buskirk
working with Yunpeng Pan
Remote Sensing Data Mining for Extracting Data Center Site Characteristics
Nasir El Mesmari
working with Yunpeng Pan
Combinatorial Optimization Approach to Familial Breast Cancer Attribution
Hari Lamitarey
working with Yunpeng Pan
Support Vector Machines
Austin O'Brien
working with Chris Saunders
Using Atypicalities to Find Abnormalities in Multi-Dimensional Data
Danica Ommen
working with Chris Saunders
Convergence Properties of Different Computationally Efficient Approximations to the Weight of Forensic Evidence
Rajab Suliman
working with Yunpeng Pan, Abu Farzan Mitul, Lal Mohammad, and Qiquan Qiao
Modeling of bulk heterojunction polymer solar cell based on response surface methodology
Ameya Vaidya
working with Gary Hatfield and Dennis Helder
Development Of Absolute Radiometric Calibration Model Using Pseudo Invariant Calibration Sites (PICS)
Daniel Vellek
working with Tom Brandenburger
Competing Risk Survival Analysis: Credit Card Portfolio Application
Robert Vaselaar
working with Jung-Han Kimn
Numerical Methods for the Dirac Equation Related to Neutrino Propagation
Matthew Whipple
working with Xijin Ge
Understanding early embryo development through pathway analysis
Kang Ye
working with Xijin Ge
Statistical pathway analysis in model plant Arabidopsis
William Young
working with Gary Hatfield
Skellam Distribution
Past Dissertations
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Josie Wallin (2010): Customer Segmentation Using Cluster Analysis on Student Loan Applications
Nathaniel Lutz (2010): Reject Inference in Sub-Prime Credit
Larissa Peterson (2010):Longitudinal Data Analysis of Bone Health During Lactation and Weaning
Adam Schmitz (2010): Estimating Probabilities of Extreme Market Returns
Alfred Furth (2010): A combination survival and time series model for predicting time to default
Liz Lane-Harvard (2009): Disjunctive Rado numbers for the set of equations ax_1 + x_2 = x_3 and bx_1 + x_2 = x_3
Mike Bergwell (2009): t-color selectivity Rado numbers
Thomas Brandenburger (2009): A Markov multinomial regression model for predicting consumer credit risk
Nathan McClanahan (2008): An algorithm for Excel Storage systems
Darren Row (2008): Disjunctive Rado numbers for some cases of sets of generalized linear equations
Lynae Schoeneman (2007): Two problems in Ramsey theory on the natural numbers
Joe Mousel (2006): 2-color Rado numbers for the family of equations x(1) + x(2) + ... + x(m-1) + c = (m-1)x(m)
Brenda Johnson (2004): Three-color Rado numbers for an inequality