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!