Research and Publications

Our faculty maintain active research programs and are committed to providing opportunities for students to become involved in undergraduate research in Mathematics and Physics. Many students present their research at regional and national conferences, and have won awards for their outstanding work.

2020 Joint Mathematics Meeting

2021

Warnapala, Y and Simmons T., HEALTH BY NUMBERS: A PUBLIC HEALTH CASE STUDY OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, UNITED STATESJPJournal of Biostatistics, Volume 18, Issue 1, 2021, Pages 125-133 

2020

Warnapala, Y. and Foster, C., Modeling the Diffraction of Electromagnetic Waves over Underwater Objects; the Wiener-Hopf Integral Equation.Journal of Advances in Mathematics and Computer Science, doi.org/10.9734/jamcs/2020/v35i430276, pp. 135-144

Rand, T. A., Richmond, C. E., & Dougherty, E. T., Modeling the combined impacts of host plant resistance and biological control on the population dynamics of a major pest of wheat. Pest Management Science, doi: 10.1002/ps.5830

Dougherty, E. T., Turner, J. C., & Vogel, F., A computational investigation of preconditioning strategies and iterative methods for finite element based neurostimulation simulations. Computers & Mathematics with Applications, doi: 10.1016/j.camwa.2020.02.021

2019

Murphy, C, Ryan, C. and Warnapala, Y.Note-Taking Mode and Academic Performance in Two Law School Courses. Journal of Legal Education, Vol. 68, No. 2, pp. 207-229, 2019

Small, A. T., & Dougherty, E. T., Mathematical Modeling of Neurostimulation for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Migration Towards Multiscale Modeling to Assess Neural Response to Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatments. 2019 41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), Berlin, Germany, 2019: 2340-2343

Lindberg, K. T., Small, A. S., & Dougherty, E. T.A Computation Based Approach for Modeling the Efficacy of Neurostimulation Therapies on Neural Functioning. 2019 9th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER), San Francisco, CA, USA, 2019: 581-584

Lindberg, K. R., & Dougherty, E.T.Location Specificity of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation on Neuronal Electrodynamics: A Mathematical Model of Ion Channel Gating Dynamics and Ionic Flux due to Neurostimulation. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 13(17). doi: 10.3389/fncom.2019.00017

2018

Halligan, A., Becotte, A., Crane, A., & Dougherty, E., A Mathematical Model for the Effects of Fertilization on Nitrogen Concentrations in Unsaturated Soil on Blueberry Farms in Southern New Jersey. Environ Model Assess, 23: 583-595

2017

Warnapala, Y. and Ngo, H., Numerical solutions of the radiosity equation for a spherical quatrefoil on Mars. African Journal of Mathematics and Computer Science Research, Vol. 10(4), pp. 24-31, Oct 2017

Rand, T. A., Richmond, C. and Dougherty, E. T., Using matrix population models to inform biological control management of the wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus. Biological Control,109: 27-36

2016 

Warnapala, Y. and Deng, Q., Numerical Solutions of the Radiosity's Equation for Low Reflectivity and Emissivity on Planet Mars. International Journal of Mathematics Trends and Technology (IJMTT), V34(1):13-18 June 2016

Dougherty, E. T. and Turner, J.C., An Object-Oriented Framework for Versatile Finite Element Based Simulations of Neurostimulation. Journal of Computational Medicine, 2016: 9826596

Dougherty, E. T., Efficient Implicit Runge-Kutta Methods for Fast-Responding Ligand-Gated Neuroreceptor Kinetic Models. BIOMATH, 4(2015): 1512311

2015

Warnapala, Y., Dinh, H. and Resh, J., The Modified Galerkin Method for Solving the Helmholtz Equation for Low Frequencies on Planet Mars.  Asian Journal of Fuzzy and Applied Mathematics, Vol 3 - Issue 4 - August 2015

2014

Warnapala, Y. and Dinh, H., The Modified Galerkin Method for the Modified Wave Equation for the Shape of Superellipsoid. British Journal of Mathematics and Computer Science, 4(18), 2676-2685 

2013

Warnapala, Y. and Dinh, H., The Numerical Solution of the Helmholtz's Equation for the Superellipsoid via the Galerkin Mathod for the Dirichlet Problem. Communications in Numerical Analysis, pp: 1-12 

Warnapala, Y., The Numerical Solution of the Radiosity's Equation via the Galerkin Method: Dirichlet Problem. Journal of Numerical Methods and Applications  Vol. 10, No. 2, pp: 73-89

Ozer, K. , Neubrander F. and Sandmaier T., Rational Approximation of Semigroups without Scaling. Discrete and Continuous Dynamical Systems, 33(11/12), pp 5305-5317

2012

Ozer, K., Jara, P. and Neubrander F., Rational Inversion of the Laplace Transform. Journal of Evolution Equations, 12(2), pp 435-457

2011

Warnapala, Y., Pleskunas, J. and Siegel, R., The Numerical Solution of the Exterior Boundary Value Problems for the Helmholtz's Equation for the Pseudosphere. IAENG International Journal of Applied Mathematics 41(2): 106-111

Warnapala, Y., and Silva, K., Z score demystified: a critical analysis of the Sri Lankan university admission  policy. Journal of Case Studies in Education, Feb 2011 

2009

Burdick, B.Mathematical Works Printed in the Americas, 1554-1700. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, January 2009

Burdick, B. and Sandifer, E., Fooling with an Euler Series. International Journal of Mathematics and Computer Science. Vol. 4, No. 1, 2009, pp. 37-42

Warnapala, Y. and Yehiya, Z., Polarization of the Sri Lankan Polity: An Analysis of Presidential Elections (1982-2005). Proceedings of Intellectbase International Consortium Vol:6

2008

Warnapala, Y. and Morgan E., The Numerical Solution of the Exterior Dirichlet Problem for the Helmholtz's Equation via Modified Green's functions approach for the Oval of Cassini. Far East Journal Of Applied Mathematics, 34:1-20

Anderson, D. and Warnapala, Y., Tests of Significance and Effect Size: Meaningful Interpretation of Statistical Data in the Health Sciences. (2008) Essays in Education 23: 142-158 

2006

Kelly, A., One-pile misère Nim for three or more players. (2006) Int. J. Math. and Math. Sci. 2006:1-8

2005

Kelly, A., and Kelly, B., eds. The Nature of Mathematics, 2nd ed. (2005) Pearson Custom Publishing.

Warnapala-Yehiya, Y., The numerical solution of exterior Robin problem for the Helmholtz's equation via modified integral equation approach. (2005) Far East J. Appl. Math. 21:65-92 

Warnapala-Yehiya, Y., and Yehiya, Z., Minority Electoral Politics: A Sri Lankan Case Study. (2005) J. Asian and African Studies 40:439-462 

2004

Lin, T-C. and Warnapala-Yehiya, Y., The numerical solution of exterior Neumann problem for Helmholtz's equation via modified Green's functions approach. (2004) Computers & Math. w. Applic. 47: 4-5, pp: 593-609 

2003

Burdick, B., On the Use of Partial Orders in Uniform Spaces. (2003) Applied General Topology 4:91-114

Kelly, A., and Kelly, B., On vector-valued Hardy martingales and a generalized Jensen's inequality. (2003) Int. J. Math. and Math. Sci. 2003:527-532

2002

Lin, T-C. and Warnapala-Yehiya, Y., The numerical solution of exterior Neumann problem for Helmholtz's equation via modified Green's functions approach. (2004) Computers & Math. w. Applic. 44: 8-9, pp: 1229-1248 

Faculty Problems & Solutions

2013

Burdick, B.,  Problem 11585, featured in the “Problems and Solutions” column in The American Mathematical Monthly, June-July, 2011, p. 558.  Solution appeared as “Convolution of Zeta Functions,” The American Mathematical Monthly, October, 2013, pp. 757-758. - View problem  View solution

2012

Burdick, B.,  Problem 11505, featured in the “Problems and Solutions” column in The American Mathematical Monthly, May, 2010, p. 458.   A composite solution by Roberto Tauraso, Rituraj Nandan, and this author appeared as “Computing Pi from Fibonacci Numbers,” The American Mathematical Monthly, April, 2012, pp. 350-351.  View problem  View solution

2021
Joint Mathematics Meeting (JMM)
January 6 - 9  Virtual

Joshua Abston (Applied Mathematics '21)
"A Computational Investigation of Ionic Transport and Gating due to Electrical Stimulation Treatments"

Emma Dehetre (Engineering/Applied Mathematics '22)
"COVID-19 Pandemic Volterra Integral Equation Model"

Kate Gilbert (Biochemistry/Applied Mathematics '22)
"Infectious Disease Model- COVID-19-Volterra integral Equation"

Kristen Norray (Engineering Spec/Applied Mathematics '21)
"A Mathematical Modeling Approach to Cardiovascular Health and Interventions"

Elizabeth Wexler (Business Management/Mathematics '22)
"Simulations of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation with Variable Tissue Conductivities"

2020
Joint Mathematics Meeting (JMM)
January 15 - 18  Denver, CO

Matthew D'Amico (Applied Mathematics '20)
"Modified Gakerkin Method for the Wiener-Hopf Integral Equation for a Semi-Inverted Cassini"

Emma Dehetre (Engineering/Applied Mathematics '22)
"Social Determinants of Health: Case Study of 10 U.S. States"

Lance Dengelegi (Applied Mathematics '20)
"Characterizations of string stability with applications to automobile platoons"

Cole Foster (Engineering/Applied Mathematics '20)
"Detecting Underwater Objects through Scattering Theory; the Wiener-Hopf Integral Equation"

Jess Messina (Applied Mathematics '20)
"Developing Stocks Volatility Prediction Model Using Neural Networks"

Abigail Small (Applied Mathematics/Computer Science '20)
"A Mathematical Approach to Assessing tDCS Efficacy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder"

2019
International Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Conference
July 23 - 27  Berlin, Germany

Abigail Small (Applied Mathematics/Biology '20)
"Mathematical Modeling of Neurostimulation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Migration towards Multiscale Modeling to Assess Neural Response to Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatments"

Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Conference on Neural Engineering (NER)
March 20 - 23, San Francisco, CA

 Kaia Lindberg (BS Mathematics '19)
"A Computer Based Approach for Modeling the Efficacy of Neurostimulation Therapies on Neural Functioning"

Joint Mathematics Meeting (JMM)
January 18 - 21 Baltimore, MD

Cole Foster (Engineering/Applied Mathematics '20)
"Wiener-Hopf Integral Equation Model: Underwater Applications"

Elizabeth Gilchrist (Biology/Applied Mathematics '19)
"A Computational Approach for Constructing an Intracellular Signaling Pathway Mathematical Model with Applications to Parkinson's Disease"

Kaia Lindberg (Mathematics '19)
"Investigating Cellular-Level Effects of Neurostimulation Therapies with a Partial Differential Equation Based Mathematical Model"

Matthew Rose (Engineering/Applied Mathematics '19)
"Characterizations of string stability of interconnected automobile systems"

Tyler Simmons (Applied Mathematics/Marine Biology '19)
"How Healthy is Rhode Island: Life Satisfaction and Risk Prevention Models"

Abigail Small (Applied Mathematics/Biology '20)
"A Mathematical Approach for Assessing tDCS Efficacy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder"

2018
Joint Mathematics Meeting (JMM)
January 10 - 13 San Diego, CA

Kaia Lindberg (Mathematics '19)
"Computational Simulation of a Partial Differential Equation Based Model of Electrostatic Forces on Neuronal Electrodynamics"

Kangji Chen (Biology/Applied Mathematics '18)
"Evolution of microRNA diversity and regulation: Statistical Modeling"

Andrew DelSanto (Engineering/Applied Mathematics '18)
"Time-Independent Solution of the Poisson-Nerst-Planck System of Equations for Neurological Applications"

Madison Guitard (Engineering/Applied Mathematics '20)
"An Interdisciplinary Approach to Computational Neurostimulation"

Hien Ngo (Applied Mathematics/Biology '18)
"Radiosity Equation Model for an Interior Space Illumination Design; Mars Project"

Abigail Small (Applied Mathematics/Biology '20)
"Quantifying Electromagnetic Properties of Applied Electric Fields on Neural Tissues"

2017
Northeast Regional IDeA Conference (NERIC) 
August 16 – 18  Burlington, VT

Kaia Lindberg (Mathematics ‘19) and Abigail Small (Applied Mathematics ’20)
“A Mathematical Model of the Effects of Neurostimulation Treatment on Neuronal Electrodynamics”

Elizabeth Gilchrist (Biology/Applied Mathematics ’19)
“A Computational Approach to Modeling Dopaminergic Neurons with Application to Parkinson’s Disease” 

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Conference (SURF)
July 28 – URI, Rhode Island

Kaia Lindberg (Mathematics ‘19) and Abigail Small (Applied Mathematics/Biology ’20)
“A Mathematical Model of the Effects of Neurostimulation Treatment on Neuronal Electrodynamics”

Elizabeth Gilchrist (Biology/Applied Mathematics ’19)
“A Computational Approach to Modeling Dopaminergic Neurons with Application to Parkinson’s Disease”

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference (BAMM)
May 18 – 20  VCU, Virginia

Madison Guitard (Engineering/Applied Mathematics ’20)
“An Interdisciplinary Approach to Computational Neurostimulation”

Women’s Intellectual Network Research Symposium
March 4  Brown University, Rhode Island

Madison Guitard (Engineering/Applied Mathematics ’20)
“An Interdisciplinary Approach to Computational Neurostimulation”

Amanda Becotte (Mathematics ’17), Ashley Crane (Mathematics ’17), Alexandra Halligan (Mathematics ’17)
“A Mathematical Model for the Effects of Fertilization on Nitrogen Concentrations in Unsaturated Soil on Blueberry Farms”

Joint Mathematics Meeting (JMM)
January 4 – 7  Atlanta, Georgia

Hien Ngo (Applied Mathematics/Biology ’18)
“Numerical Solutions of the Radiosity Equation (Brightness) via the Galerkin Method: Mars Project”

Qiuyang Deng (Applied Mathematics ’17)
“Numerical Solutions of the Radiosity Equation by the Galerkin Method for the Spherical Pyramid (Mars Project)”

2016
Joint Mathematics Meeting (JMM)
January 6 – 9  Seattle, Washington

Jill Resh (Applied Mathematics/Graphic Design Communications ’16)
“The Numerical Solutions of the Helmholtz Equation for the Bloodcell Shape: Mars Project”

2021

Roger Williams University Provost Fund for Student Research
Joshua Abston
Kristin Norray
Elizabeth Wexler

AMS Student Travel Grant*
Katie Gilbert

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Outstanding Poster Award in Numerical Analysis*
Emma Dehetre

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Outstanding Poster Award in Applied Mathematics*
Katie Gilbert

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Honorable Mention Poster Award in Bioinformatics*
Joshua Abston

2020

Roger Williams University Provost Fund for Student Research and the AMS Student Travel Grant*
Matthew D'Amico
Emma Dehetre
Lance Dengelegi
Cole Foster
Jess Messina
Abigail Small

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Outstanding Poster Award in Numerical Analysis*
Cole Foster

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Outstanding Poster Award in Bioinformatics*
Abigail Small

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Honorable Mention Poster Award in Statistics*
Emma Dehetre

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Honorable Mention Poster Award in Applied Mathematics*
Lance Dengelegi

2019

Roger Williams University Provost Fund for Student Research
Cole Foster
Elizabeth Gilchrist
Kaia Lindberg
Matthew Rose
Tyler Simmons
Abigail Small

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Outstanding Poster Award in Applied Mathematics*
Cole Foster
Matthew Rose

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Outstanding Poster Award in Biomathematics*
Elizabeth Gilchrist
Abigail Small

2018

Joint Mathematics Meeting MAA Outstanding Poster Award in Numerical Analysis*
Hien Ngo

Roger Williams University Provost Fund for Student Research
Kangji Chen
Andrew DelSanto
Madison Guitard
Kaia Lindberg
Hien Ngo
Abigail Small

MAA Student Travel Grant*
Kangji Chen
Andrew DelSanto
Madison Guitard
Kaia Lindberg
Hien Ngo
Abigail Small

Jane Pleskunas Fund
Andrew DelSanto

2017

Qiuyang Deng
Jane Pleskunas Fund
President's Core Value Medallion for the MNS Division
Outstanding Senior Award in Undergraduate Mathematics Research
Outstanding Senior Award in Applied Mathematics            

Hien Ngo 
Mark Gould Memorial Scholarship and Research Fund
STILAS*

Abigail Small
Jane Pleskunas Fund

2016

Qiuyang Deng
Roger Williams University Provost Fund for Student Research

Hien Ngo
Roger Williams University Provost Fund for Student Research
MAA Student Travel Grant*
NASA Rhode Island Space Grant*
STILAS*

Jill Resh
Roger Williams University Provost Fund for Student Research
Outstanding Senior Award in Undergraduate Mathematics Research
Outstanding Senior Award in Applied Mathematics
NASA Rhode Island Space Grant*
MAA Student Travel Grant*
NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at UCONN*

2015

Hy K. Dinh
Outstanding Senior Award in Undergraduate Mathematics Research
Outstanding Senior Award in Mathematics            
President's Core Value Medallion for the MNS Division
MAA Student Travel Grant*

*Awards in italics are from external organizations.

Summer 2018

Madison Guitard (Engineering/Applied Mathematics '20)
Madison is in Hong Kong working for lululemon, a growing athletic wear company. She is in the business solutions and costing engineering department.

Cole Foster (BS Engineering/Applied Mathematics '20)
Cole is doing mechanical engineering work at NUWC in Newport, RI.

Hien Ngo (BS Applied Mathematics/Biology '18) 
Hien is a Teaching Artist for Providence CityArts for Youth under AmeriCorps.