Lauren Melfi
Lauren Lazarus Melfi is an Assistant Professor teaching in the Applied Mathematics program, within the School of Computing and Data Science. Her current teaching focus is on differential equations, linear algebra, and the calculus sequence. Her research interests are in dynamical systems: the resonance and synchronization behaviors of oscillators in connected networks or in models with delay, and the process of reconstructing the governing model of an oscillator system.
Lauren completed a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in Classics from the University of New Hampshire in 2010 and is a proud member of the honor society Phi Beta Kappa. She completed her Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Cornell University in 2016, with research on oscillating systems with delay and coupling. Since then, she has held visiting positions at Harvey Mudd College (2016-2017) and Trinity College (2017-2020), and participated in development programs such as the Mathematical Association of America's Project NExT program (2017-2018) and the American Mathematical Society's Mathematics Research Community on Agent-Based Modeling (summer 2018). Lauren joined Wentworth in September 2020.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading (especially fantasy), board games, singing, and hiking -- as well as dabbling in various other creative and outdoor activities.
Degrees
My Work
Professional Appointments:
Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics
Wentworth Institute of Technology, 2020-present
Harold L. Dorwart Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Trinity College, 2017-2020
Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Harvey Mudd College, 2016-2017
Teaching Associate
Cornell University, Spring 2016
Education:
Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Cornell University (Advisor: Prof. Richard Rand), 2016
B.S. with Honors in Physics
B.A. in Classics
University of New Hampshire, 2010
Publications (as L. Lazarus):
Model reconstruction from temporal data for coupled oscillator networks. Chaos 29, 103116 (2019).
with M. J. Panaggio, M.-V. Ciocanel, C. M. Topaz, and B. Xu
Periodically Forced Delay Limit Cycle Oscillator. International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics, 94, pp. 216-222 (2017).
with M. Davidow and R. Rand
Dynamics of an oscillator with delay parametric excitation. International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics, 78, pp. 66-71 (2016).
with M. Davidow and R. Rand
Dynamics of a delay limit cycle oscillator. Nonlinear Dynamics, 82, pp. 481-488 (2015).
with M. Davidow and R. Rand
Dynamics of a System of Two Coupled Oscillators Driven by a Third Oscillator. Journal of Applied Nonlinear Dynamics, 3 (3), pp. 271-282 (2014).
with R. H. Rand
Selected Awards:
H. D. Block Teaching Prize, Cornell University, 2016
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Beta of New Hampshire, 2010
Professional Memberships:
- Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)
- Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)