Shaping Futures: Jason Metcalfe Earns Coveted 2024 Faculty Mentoring Award

The Department of Mathematics is thrilled to announce that Professor Jason Metcalfe, current chair of the department, has been awarded a prestigious 2024 Faculty Mentoring Award by the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council. This distinguished award, announced by the UNC Office of the Provost, recognizes faculty members who go above and beyond in their roles as mentors, shaping the future of academic excellence at UNC-Chapel Hill.

As a dedicated mentor, Jason has made a lasting impact on his colleagues and students, providing invaluable guidance that spans research, teaching, and service. His leadership in developing innovative mentoring models has been instrumental in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment within the department, helping faculty navigate the complexities of academic life and inspiring the next generation of mathematicians.

This award reflects Jason’s extraordinary commitment to nurturing talent and fostering growth, both within the mathematics department and across the broader academic community. His mentorship not only guides professional development but also cultivates a space where intellectual curiosity and potential thrives.

On behalf of the entire department, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jason for this well-deserved honor. We also join the Provost’s Office in expressing our gratitude to the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council and the Center for Faculty Excellence for their continued support of this important award.

Join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement and the profound impact Jason’s mentorship has had—and will continue to have—on shaping the future of our department and the wider university community!

UNC to Host Third Triangle Computational and Applied Mathematics Symposium

The Department of Mathematics is excited to announce that it will host the third Triangle Computational and Applied Mathematics Symposium (TriCAMS) from October 26-27. This annual event, which began in 2022 at NCSU, brings together a diverse and vibrant community of researchers, educators, and industry professionals from the Research Triangle and the surrounding southeast Atlantic region.

The keynote outside speaker for this year’s symposium will be Mike Shelley of New York University and the Flatiron Institute, whose groundbreaking research has applications in various areas of science and engineering. Alongside Shelley, there will be four plenary talks that highlight cutting-edge research from across the Triangle, as well as key contributions from Shelley and his colleagues at the Flatiron Institute.

TriCAMS will feature several opportunities for scholars of all levels to engage, with a Lightning Talk session and an accompanying poster session where graduate students and postdocs are especially encouraged to participate. Prizes will be awarded for the best poster presentations.

The symposium will focus on fostering collaboration and networking, emphasizing the integration of scholars across academia, government, and industry. The Research Triangle and surrounding regions are home to numerous institutions and companies that work in applied and computational mathematics, and TriCAMS aims to be a catalyst for future research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and outreach.

We invite all those involved in computational and applied mathematics, from faculty and researchers to students and industry professionals, to register at the TriCAMS website and either attend or contribute to this exciting event!

Kennedy Scholars Lead Groundbreaking Research in Mathematics and Applications

Congratulations to the inaugural cohort of Kennedy Scholars: Jonah Boan, Tyler Britt, Nicholas Mann, and Anh Nguyen! These exceptional scholars have each been awarded one-time stipends to support their research this semester, made possible through the generous contribution of UNC alumnus Dr. Daniel Kennedy.

Jonah Boan will be investigating the isoperimetric problem, a geometric question going back to the ancient Greeks that seeks to identify the shape that maximizes area for a given perimeter. His research focuses on a variant of the problem related to the eigenvalues of the Laplacian, and they will gather numerical data using the finite element method on real projective space.

Tyler Britt plans to advance the development of a silent saltwater magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drive. MHD propulsion uses the interaction between electromagnetic fields and conductive fluids to generate thrust, offering the potential for silent underwater movement. This technology holds great promise for stealth operations and environmentally friendly applications.

Nicholas Mann will explore different mathematical models of hemodynamics in the heart, evaluating their performance in recreating experimental data, their compatibility with various parameter estimation techniques, and computational efficiency. Specifically, Nicholas will compare Bayesian inversion methods with neural network approaches while testing models such as the Pulse Duplicator, a graph network model, and a new model incorporating vascular elasticity.

Anh Nguyen aims to develop robust mathematical models of transcatheter bioprosthetic aortic valves, with the ultimate goal of creating “digital twins” of these devices. These models could revolutionize treatment planning and patient management by providing virtual simulations tailored to individual patients.

Congratulations Jonah, Tyler, Nicholas and Anh!

Jane Hawkins’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to Cellular Automata

The Department of Mathematics is proud to announce the release of a new textbook by Professor Emeritus Jane Hawkins, titled The Mathematics of Cellular Automata. This comprehensive textbook offers a rigorous mathematical introduction to the fascinating world of cellular automata (CA), blending theoretical depth with engaging, colorful graphics that illustrate the diverse phenomena within this rich field.

The Mathematics of Cellular Automata begins with a brief history of CA before establishing the mathematical foundations necessary to explore this dynamic area of study. The first half of the book revisits essentials from advanced calculus, gradually introducing readers to key concepts such as symbolic spaces, equicontinuity, and attractors. More advanced topics include the Garden of Eden theorem, Conway’s Game of Life, and a special chapter on stochastic CA, which features a model of virus spread.

Designed for undergraduate students in mathematics and related fields, the textbook is structured to facilitate both individual learning and classroom instruction. Each chapter concludes with exercises and labs that explore a wide range of applications, both mathematical and physical. Professor Hawkins’ latest work promises to be a vital addition to the literature, offering both rigor and accessibility to those interested in the evolving study of cellular automata.

To read more about The Mathematics of Cellular Automata, check out the official AMS Bookstore listing here. Congratulations, Jane!

Rich McLaughlin Dives into Olympic Swimming Research

Professor Rich McLaughlin is playing a pivotal role in an innovative collaboration aimed at giving U.S. swimmers a competitive edge in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This project, born from a chance meeting between McLaughlin and Claudio Battaglini, a professor of exercise physiology and a renowned swim coach, combines expertise in fluid dynamics, exercise science, and computer engineering.

McLaughlin, who runs the Joint Fluids Lab in applied and computational mathematics, brings years of experience in fluid dynamics to the team. His work focuses on understanding the mechanics of swimming, beginning with the study of hand positions in water. By collaborating with computer science experts, including Jim Mahaney and students like Steven Tio, the team has developed a 3D model of a swimmer’s hand and is using advanced techniques like particle image velocimetry to track fluid flow around the hand.

The research doesn’t stop at theoretical models; it has practical applications as well. The team is developing a glove equipped with sensors to track swimmers’ hand movements in real-time, ensuring that they can master the most efficient techniques. Additionally, McLaughlin’s lab is using the Joint Fluid Lab’s 120-foot-long wave tank to simulate open water conditions, addressing the U.S. team’s challenges in marathon swimming. With McLaughlin’s contributions, the collaboration seeks to turn milliseconds into medals by grounding swimming techniques in cutting-edge science.

To read more about this interdisciplinary collaboration, check out the article by The Well here. Congratulations and good luck, Rich!

Remembering Uma: A Beloved Campus Presence at UNC

Professor Mark McCombs never anticipated that his chocolate Labrador, Uma, would become such an integral part of campus life. Seven years ago, when a struggling student mentioned missing her dog during office hours, McCombs invited her to meet Uma. What started as a small meeting quickly attracted a crowd, and Uma soon became a cherished figure among students.

Uma, originally from a farm in Pittsboro, was an essential part of McCombs’ family and students’ experiences. For six years, Uma greeted students with joy and was even featured in word problems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, McCombs hosted Zoom swim parties featuring Uma, bringing cheer to students. Uma’s popularity soared with the creation of her Instagram page, @uma_mccombs, which amassed nearly 1,500 followers. McCombs regularly brought Uma to campus, with events dubbed Umapalooza becoming highly anticipated. These gatherings often drew large crowds, fostering a sense of community among students.

After a long battle with arthritic pain, Uma passed away on June 8. McCombs shared the news on Uma’s Instagram, expressing gratitude for the joy she brought to many. “I’m so grateful to Uma for sharing her light,” he said. “And giving me the opportunity to share her light with you all.”

A full story about Uma was published in the Daily Tar Heel; you can find the story here. May Uma’s memory be a blessing.

Outstanding Teaching Recognized: Joseph Compton Earns 2024 Linker Award

Graduating PhD student Joseph Compton has been honored with the 2024 Linker Award. This annual award, supported by the J. Burton Linker Fund established by J. Burton Linker, Jr. (class of ’44) and Edward M. Linker, in memory of UNC-CH Mathematics Professor J. Burton Linker, recognizes a graduate teaching assistant who has demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in teaching undergraduate mathematics courses.

In addition to this prestigious accolade, Joe will be joining our department as a Teaching Assistant Professor starting in the Fall 2024 semester. We are very fortunate to have him continue contributing to our community.

Congratulations, Joe!

For more information about J. Burton Linker, Jr., the Linker Award, and its past recipients, please visit:

• Linker Award

Ethan Ebbighausen Honored with 2024 Alfred T. Brauer Award

Ethan Ebbighausen, Class of 2024, was awarded the esteemed 2024 Alfred T. Brauer Award. This annual accolade, named in honor of the late Professor Alfred T. Brauer, a distinguished member of our faculty, is bestowed upon the undergraduate who has demonstrated exceptional ability and outstanding promise in the fields of algebra or number theory. For more information about Alfred T. Brauer, the award, and its past recipients, please visit:

• The Alfred T. Brauer Award

In addition to this remarkable achievement, Ethan completed an honors thesis under Professor Idris Assani and had the honor of serving as the representative speaker for the graduating class of 2024 at Commencement.

Congratulations, Ethan, on your outstanding accomplishments!

oSTEM Recognizes Will Davis for Excellence in Inclusive Teaching

We are thrilled to announce that graduate student Will Davis has been honored with the DEI Inclusive Teaching Award by the Out in STEM (oSTEM) student organization. This award is presented annually to one faculty member and one teaching assistant who go above and beyond to create a safe and celebratory space for diversity in the classroom.

oSTEM is dedicated to empowering LGBTQ individuals in STEM fields, fostering success on personal, academic, and professional levels. The organization achieves this by cultivating environments and communities that encourage innovation, leadership, and advocacy. Through various social events, oSTEM connects queer STEM students and collaborates with STEM Pride graduate students to offer one-on-one mentorship opportunities.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Will Davis for this well-deserved recognition; his commitment to inclusive teaching is an inspiration.

Congratulations, Will!

UNC Establishes Michael E. Taylor Distinguished Professorship

The Department is proud to announce that the University has established the Michael E. Taylor Distinguished Professorship. This new professorship honors the remarkable contributions of Professor Michael E. Taylor, William R. Kenan Professor of Mathematics (emeritus) and elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, who has significantly advanced the field of Partial Differential Equations and related areas. Congratulations Michael!

The Michael E. Taylor Distinguished Professorship is conferred upon faculty members outside of the Department of Mathematics. Recipients of the Distinguished Professorship are recognized for their excellence in research, creative activity, and undergraduate education within their respective disciplines, reflecting the values and dedication exemplified by Professor Taylor throughout his career.

We are delighted to announce that the inaugural Michael E. Taylor Distinguished Professor is Professor Graeme Robertson from the Department of Political Science. Professor Robertson is celebrated for his outstanding research in the field of political science, and his work has garnered international acclaim. His commitment to undergraduate education and his innovative teaching methods have made a significant impact on the academic community at UNC. For a full list of recently appointed distinguished professors, check out the link here.

Congratulations Professor Robertson on this prestigious appointment and in celebrating the legacy of Professor Michael E. Taylor, whose name will continue to inspire excellence and dedication across disciplines at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.