(3dj) Mathematical Modeling of Biological Systems: Research At the Interface of Chemical Engineering and Biology

Within
its Grand Challenges, The National Academy of Engineering poses the question,
"How will engineering impact biological research?" Conducting research at the
interface of engineering and biology by using mathematical modeling to describe
and predict emergent behavior in biological systems has the potential to
provide an answer to this question. Using my background in mathematical modeling,
I seek to develop a research program that integrates chemical engineering and
biology.

My
doctoral research focused on using mathematical modeling to understand the
effects of morphology on bioseparations in electrokinetics systems, such as nanocomposite
gels. Microdomains of idealized geometries were used
to describe the internal structure of the gels and the transport was modeled
with continuum approaches. Using spatial averaging, optimal separation times of
macromolecules, such as proteins, could be obtained for different morphologies.
Through my coursework and doctoral research, I acquired fundamental knowledge
in applied mathematics, transport phenomena and numerical analysis that I can
apply to mathematically model a variety of systems. Because of my strong
interest in biological applications, my postdoctoral work is highly
interdisciplinary, at the interface of engineering and biology, focusing on
modeling intracellular transport and drug delivery to tumors. Specifically, my
current work strongly integrates mathematical models and experimental
biological data. Through my doctoral and postdoctoral research, I have had the
opportunity to interact with collaborators from a variety of disciplines,
including mathematics, chemistry and pathology.

Because
of my strong desire to be an effective teacher as well as researcher, my
postdoctoral work also places an emphasis on education and teaching, I currently
devote 25% of my time to improving my knowledge of pedagogical techniques and
their implementation in the classroom, through participation in workshops,
courses and conferences.

In
this presentation, I will describe details of my previous and current research
and how my foundational knowledge in mathematics, transport phenomena, and
biology will be used to build my research program. I will also discuss my teaching
philosophy and plan for facilitating courses.