The People

• Dr. Ian Bradbury, Peaker Services, Inc.
• Dr. Jeffrey D. Tew, Tata Consulting Service
• Dr. Charles W. Wampler, II, GM
• Dr. Lili Zhao, Corewell Health

The faculty has been enhanced by the establishment of an Industrial Advisory Committee. The Committee consists of persons who have been trained in the mathematical sciences and who are leaders in their respective corporations. They serve the department collectively in the following ways:

• Provide continuing contacts for exchanges of information.
• Provide technical advice in the development of applied mathematics programs at the Bachelors, Masters, and Ph. D. levels.
• Are available for occasional seminars at the University to keep us informed of developments in the field or are able to suggest other persons who might fill this role.
• Are a source of problems and projects for the development of clinical components within our programs.
• Are able to assist in identifying possible internship positions for selected students.

Our active relationship with this Committee was begun in 1978-79. All objectives on the above list have been achieved. Exchange visits and exchange of information have occurred. Assistance has been given in new program development, particularly in relation to the Masters programs in Industrial Applied Mathematics and Applied Statistics. The existence of these Masters programs is of great value to undergraduate students as well as graduate students. Many undergraduate majors come to the University with advanced standing. Others seek to accelerate their programs. Courses in the Masters programs are available to these students to increase the depth and quality of their own programs. The clinical component affords the opportunity to study real problems. Finally, information has been received on the availability of internships, and several students have been employed under this type of arrangement in the summer months. As time goes on, these industrial relationships will be expanded and strengthened to the benefit of both faculty and students.

• Baruch Cahlon, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. Tel Aviv University (Israel)
  

• Charles Ching-an Cheng, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. Rutgers University
  
  
• J. Curtis Chipman, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. Dartmouth College
  
  
• David J. Downing, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. University of Iowa Recipient of 1983 Oakland University Teaching Excellence Award
  
  
• George F. Feeman, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. Lehigh University
  
  
• Jerrold Grossman, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Recipient of 1990 Oakland University Marion Wilson Award, 1992 Oakland University Teaching Excellence Award, 1994 Mathematical Association of America (Michigan Section) Distinguished Teaching Award, 2005 Mathematical Association of America (Michigan Section) Distinguished Service Award, 2007 Mathematical Association of America Certificate of Meritorious Service, 2011 Oakland University College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Engagement Award
  
  
• Bo-nan Jiang, Associate Professor, retired, Ph.D. University of Texas, Austin
  
  
• Robert Kushler, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  
  
• Louis Jack Nachman, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. The Ohio State University
  
  
• Irwin E. Schochetman, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. University of Maryland at College Park
  
  
• Sze-Kai Tsui, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania
  
  
• J. Barry Turett, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. University of Illinois
  
  
• Stephen J. Wright, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D. Indiana University

• Harvey J. Arnold, Ph.D. Princeton University
• Louis R. Bragg, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin
• John Dettman, Ph.D. Carnegie Institute of Technology
• Jon Froemke, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
• William C. Hoffman, Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles
• G. Philip Johnson, Ph.D. University of Minnesota
• Donald G. Malm, Ph.D. Brown University
• James H. McKay, Ph.D. University of Washington

Anthony Kulick

• Thesis Title: Transportation Related Algorithm Design and Application
• Thesis Adviser: Professors Eddie Cheng and Dan Steffy
• Year: 2024
• Present position: High School Mathematics Teacher at Notre Dame Prep

Samar Madi

• Thesis Title: Optimal cut-points for diagnostic variables in complex surveys
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Dorin Drignei
• Year: 2023
• Present position: Biostatistician at Intra-Cellular Therapies

Dinh Dong Pham

• Thesis Title: A hybridized discontinuous Galerkin scheme for the coupled Stokes-Darcy flow and transport
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Aycil Cesmelioglu
• Year: 2022
• Present position: Data Scientist at Altair

Thi Tu Trinh Tran

• Thesis Title: Unique solutions to convex l₁-optimization problems via second-order analysis
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Nghia Tran
• Year: 2021
• Present position: Data Scientist at Ford Research

Josua Illian

• Thesis Title: Gröbner basis for the double determinantal ideal
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Li Li
• Year: 2020
• Present position: Professor of Mathematics at Mott Community College 

Zhixin Lun

• Thesis Title: Some contributions to multivariate non-normality: Simulation, Computations and Missing Data Imputation
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Ravindra Khattree
• Year: 2020
• Present position: Postdoc Scholar at University of California San Francisco

Brian Wu

• Thesis Title: Computationally efficient model selection for big time series data
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Dorin Drignei
• Year: 2020
• Present position: Visiting Assistant Professor at Kalamazoo College

Stephanie Ashburn

• Thesis Title: The Complexity of Building Optimal Expression Directed Acyclic Graphs
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Daniel Steffy
• Year: 2019
• Present position: Machine Learning Engineer at RENU Property Management

Niko Kaso

• Thesis Title: Facet-Inducing Inequalities of the Convex Hull of Integer Solutions of At-Least and At-Least-m-different Predicates
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Serge Kruk
• Year: 2019
• Present position: Senior Optimization Scientist at Optilogic

Chris Melekian

• Thesis Title: Matching Preclusion and Generalizations
• 2019 Most Outstanding Dissertation Award in the STEM category
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Eddie Cheng
• Year: 2019
• Present position: Senior Analyst, GM Financial

Karimah Sweet

• Thesis Title: Small categories of homological dimension one
• Thesis Adviser: Professor Charles Ching-an Cheng
• Year: 2018
• Present position: 

Pawel Marcinek

• Thesis Title: Computational topics in nonlinear models for debonding, approximation of noisy signals and curve fitting
• Thesis Adviser: Distinguished Professor Meir Shillor and Associate Professor Serge Kruk
• Year: 2018
• Present position: Special Instructor at OU

Nofe Al-Asuoad

• Thesis Title: Mathematical models, analysis and and simulations in epidemiology, population dynamics, and heart tissue
• Thesis Adviser: Distinguished Professor Meir Shillor
• Year: 2017

Ryan Nierman

• Thesis Title: Combinatorial Approaches to Continuous Problems
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Serge Kruk
• Year: 2017
• Present position: Senior Financial Analyst at Marcus & Millichap Real Estate; Adjunct Assistant Professor at Madonna University; Co-Director of Debate at Wylie E. Groves High School.

Alexander N. Wiggins

• Thesis Title: On the Properties and behavior of the Condition Number for Learning Algorithms
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Dan Steffy
• Year: 2017
• Present position:  

Manoj Bahugunna

• Thesis Title: Analytics of Asymmetry and Transformation to Multivariate Normality Through Copula Functions with Applications in Biomedical Sciences and Finance
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Ravi Khattree
• Year: 2017
• Present position: 

Alaa Elkadry

• Thesis Title: Statistical Analysis of “Randomly Sourced Data” 
• Thesis Advisor: Professors Gary McDonald and Subbaiah Perla
• Year: 2017
• Present position: Assistant Professor, Marshall University

Kevin Jang Pate

• Thesis Title: Quadratic Homogeneous Keller Maps
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Charles Cheng
• Year: 2016
• Present position:

Lubjana Beshaj

• Thesis Title: Integral Binary Forms with Minimal Height
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Tony Shaska
• Year: 2016
• Present position: Assistant Professor of Mathematics, The West Point Military Academy 
• email: [email protected]

Ervisa Zhamo

• Thesis Title: Contributions to the Statistical Analysis of Computer Experiments
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Dorin Drignei
• Year: 2016
• Present position: Special Instructor at OU

Amera H. Almusharrf

• Thesis Title: Delay Differential Equations and the Logistic Model with Two Delays
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Anna Spagnuolo, Co-advisor: Professor Meir Shillor
• Year: 2016
• Present position: Assistant Professor, The Royal Commission Yanbu Colleges & Institutes (RCYCI)

Valmira Hoxhaj

• Thesis Title: Some Contributions to Statistical Data Analytics with Applications in Finance
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Ravindra Khattree
• Year: 2016
• Present position: Biostatistician, Allergan, California

Mohamad K. Abdallah

• Thesis Title: Fault-Tolerant Hamiltonian-Connectivity of 2-Tree Generated Networks
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Eddie Cheng
• Year: 2016
• Present position: Associate Professor, American University at Kuwait
• email: [email protected]

Robert Connolly

• Thesis Title: Matching Preclusion and Conditional Matching Preclusion Problems for the Folded Petersen Cube
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Eddie Cheng
• Year: 2014
• email: [email protected]

Areej M. A. Alshorman

• Thesis Title: Mathematical Models of HIV Latent Infection with Time Delays and Age Structure
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Libin Rong
• Year: 2015
• Present position: 

Tom Hayman

• Thesis Title: Facet-Inducing Inequalities of the Convex Hull of Integer Solutions of Application-Driven Structures of Multiple All-Different Predicates
• Thesis Advisor: Professors Serge Kruk and Laszlo Liptak
• Year: 2014
• Present position: Teacher

Madhuri Lolla

• Thesis Title: Comparison of Numerical Methods for 2D Crystals Under Anisotropic Surface Free Energy and Through Evolution
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Wen Zhang
• Year: 2012
• Present position: Visiting Lecturer at the Math Dept in the University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Kasia Pawelek

• Thesis Title: Mathematical Modeling of Virus Infections and Immune Responses
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Libin Rong and Professor Meir Shillor
• Year: 2012
• Present position: Associate Professor, University of South Carolina Beaufort
• email: [email protected]

John Purcell

• Thesis Title: Modelling, Numerical Analysis, and Simulations of Nonlinear Dynamic Beams
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Meir Shillor
• Year: 2011
• Present position: Department of Mathematics, Macomb Community College
• email: [email protected]  

Susan Toma

• Thesis Title: Facet-Inducing Inequalities of the Convex Hull of Integer Solutions Satisfying the Comb Structure of the Multiple-Alldifferent Predicate
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Serge Kruk
• Year: 2009
• Present position: Professor and Associate Dean, Madonna University
• email: [email protected]  

Rakinawasan Sanjeeva

• Thesis Title: Automorphism Groups of Algebraic Curves over Finite Fields
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Tony Shaska
• Year: 2009
• Present position: Senior Lecturer, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Daniel Coffield

• Thesis Title: A Model for Single Phase Flow in Horizontally Fractured Porous Media Using Homogenization Techniques
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Anna Spagnuolo
• Year: 2009
• Present position: Associate Professor, University of Michigan - Flint

Feiyi Jia

• Thesis Title: Contributions to Bayesian Ranking and Selection Rules and to Randomized Response Survey Analysis
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Gary McDonald
• Year: 2009
• Present position: Statistician, MED Institute, Inc.
• email: [email protected]  

Jayantha Lanel Gan Hewage

• Thesis Title: Complex Root Isolation
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Charles Cheng
• Year: 2009
• Present position: Senior Lecturer, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Galbodayage Sujeeva Wijesiri

• Thesis Title: Theta Functions of Algebraic Curves with Automorphisms
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Tony Shaska
• Year: 2008
• Present position: Senior Lecturer, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Renuka Menike Rathugamage

• Thesis Title: Models and Analysis for Adhesive Contact, Material Damage, or Cardiac Waves
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Meir Shillor
• Year: 2008
• Present position:

Nart Shawash

• Thesis Title: Relationships among Popular Interconnection Networks and Their Common Generalization
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Eddie Cheng
• Year: 2008
• Present position: Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Detroit Mercy.
• email: [email protected]

Mbagne Faly Mbengue

• Thesis Title: Analysis of Models for Nonlinear Dynamic Beams with or without Damage or Frictionless Contact
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Meir Shillor and Professor Kevin Andrews
• Year: 2008
• Present position: Lecturer, Oakland University
• email: [email protected]  

Daniel Kirkwood

• Thesis Title: A Hybrid Algorithm For The Common Real Zero Problem
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Charles Cheng
• Year: 2008
• Present position: Mathematician, National Security Agency

Nibedita Bandyopadhyay

• Thesis Title: Models and Methodologies for Recurrent Event Data
• Thesis Advisor: Professors Ananda Sen and Ravi Khattree
• Year: 2006
• Present position: Senior Statistician, Johnson & Johnson
• email: [email protected]  

George Zhengzhi Xia

• Thesis Title: Some Contributions to Multiple Comparison Methods for Longitudinal Data and General Linear Mixed Effects Methods
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Subbaiah Perla
• Year: 2006
• Present position: Senior Research Analyst, Macomb Institutional Research, Macomb Community College
• email: [email protected]  

Racheal Zhang

• Thesis Title: Some Analytical Characteristics of the Ridge Regression Trace
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Gary McDonald
• Year: 2005
• Present position: Bioinformatics/Statistical Analyst, Van Andel Research Institute
• email: [email protected]  

Lazaros Kikas

• Thesis Title: Interconnection Networks and the k-Disjoint Path Problems
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Eddie Cheng
• Year: 2004
• Present position: Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Detroit Mercy.
• email: [email protected]  

Pulak Ghosh

• Thesis Title: A Bayesian Approach to Bioequivalence Trials
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Ravindra Khattree
• Year: 2003
• Present position: Associate Professor, Biostatistics at Emory University, School of Public Health, Quantitative Methods & Information Systems, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.
• email: [email protected]  

Anuradha Roy

• Thesis Title: Some Contributions to Discrimination and Classification with Repeated Measures Data with Special Emphasis on Biomedical Applications
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Ravindra Khattree
• Year: 2002
• Present position: Associate Professor, Department of Management Science and Statistics, University of Texas at San Antonio.
• email: [email protected]  

Xeuzhang Hou

• Thesis Title: Analysis and Control of a Torsional Flexible Robot Arm - An Operator Approach
• Thesis Advisor: Professor Sze-kai Tsui
• Year: 2000
• Present position: Professor, Mathematics Department, Towson University, Baltimore, Maryland.
• email: [email protected]