RTG: Modeling and Computations for Complex Systems at Southern Methodist University

数学建模和计算在应对当代科学和工程挑战方面至关重要。通过向初级学者提供在研究复杂、大规模系统的数学家、工程师、化学家和神经学家组成的跨学科团队中工作的机会，南方卫理公会大学研究培训小组(SMU-RTG)将培养学员的建模和计算技能。此外，SMU-RTG将增加在计算和应用数学方面进行高级研究并在学术界内外从事职业生涯的美国公民和永久居民的数量。SMU-RTG将通过成立三个垂直整合的研究培训小组来实现这一目标，每个小组将与SMU数学家和其他学科的科学家合作。此外，通过与德克萨斯大学里奥格兰德山谷大学(UTRGV-一家为拉美裔服务的机构)合作开展夏季本科生研究项目，将鼓励更多来自代表性不足群体的学生在STEM领域进行研究生学习。参与SMU-RTG的研究小组将解决新兴科学领域的挑战性问题：神经科学中的数据驱动模型、电网和其他大规模网络的非线性动力学，以及纳米结构的制造和建模。研究活动将通过与德克萨斯大学西南医学中心、能源部实验室和SMU工程等学术和非学术机构的战略合作伙伴关系为学员创造机会。全年活动的核心是为期10周的夏季本科生研究项目，参与者来自SMU和UTRGV。每个小组将以为期两周的暑期课程开始其计划，该课程将向本科生、研究生和博士后介绍其中一个研究小组使用的基本概念和技术。这项活动将为所有背景的学生提供令人兴奋和实质性的研究体验。新加坡管理大学数学系凭借其在建模和科学计算方面的核心优势，以及在将毕业生安置在从工业到国家实验室的一系列职业方面的持续成功，完全有能力执行该项目的研究和教育目标。研究主题既反映了该部门现有的优势，也反映了迫切的社会需求，开展的研究将有助于改善对人脑在健康和疾病方面的了解，关键基础设施的可靠性，以及在医学和其他领域的应用的新设备。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Mathematical modeling and computation are of critical importance in addressing contemporary scientific and engineering challenges. By providing to junior scholars the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams of mathematicians, engineers, chemists and neuro-scientists studying complex, large scale systems, the Southern Methodist University Research Training Group (SMU-RTG) will develop the trainees skills in modeling and computation. In addition, the SMU-RTG will increase the number of US citizens and permanent residents undertaking advanced studies in computational and applied mathematics and pursuing careers both in and out of academia. The SMU-RTG will pursue this goal through the formation of three vertically-integrated research training groups, each of which will partner SMU mathematicians with scientists in other disciplines. Moreover, by partnering on a summer undergraduate research program with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV - a Hispanic-serving institution), more students from underrepresented groups will be encourage to undertake graduate studies in STEM fields. The research groups involved in the SMU-RTG will address challenging problems in emerging scientific fields: data-driven models in neuroscience, the nonlinear dynamics of the electric power grid and other large-scale networks, and the fabrication and modeling of nanoscale structures. The research activities will create opportunities for the trainees through strategic partnerships with both academic and non-academic institutions: UT Southwestern Medical Center, DOE laboratories, and SMU Engineering. A centerpiece of the year-round activities will be a 10-week summer undergraduate research program with participants from both SMU and UTRGV. Each group will begin its program with a 2-week summer school, which will introduce undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs to fundamental concepts and techniques used by one of the research groups. This activity will provide exciting and substantive research experiences to students of all backgrounds. The Department of Mathematics at SMU is well-positioned to execute both the research and educational goals of this project, building on its core strengths in modeling and scientific computing and its ongoing success in placing graduates in a range of careers, from industry to national laboratories. The research themes reflect both the department's existing strengths and pressing societal needs, carrying out research that will contribute to improved understanding of the human brain in both health and disease, the reliability of crucial infrastructure, and novel devices with applications in medicine and beyond.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.