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Dr. Petronela Radu

Dr. Petronela Radu

  • Email: pradumath.unl.edu
  • Website
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Status: Faculty
  • Department: Math,
  • Will Mentor: Doctoral students, Pre-doctoral students

Areas of Expertise

Applied Mathematics,

Research Interests

Mathematical Physics (Primary)

Bio

I am an Associate Professor in Mathematics at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and my research area is in Partial Differential Equations with an emphasis on wave and other evolution equations. Recently, my research has been focused on several topics in applied mathematics: nonlinear acoustics models (in particular, Westervelt and Kuznetsov equations), nonlocal models in fracture dynamics (peridynamics), suspension bridges (fourth order wave equations and fourth order ODEs that result from considering special solutions). I am interested in mentoring and working with graduate students, as well as with undergraduates; I have had many gratifying experiences at both levels. Speaking of the undergraduate level, over the past few years I have developed and taught a modeling course called Math in the City where students develop mathematical models in collaboration with different companies from Lincoln and Nebraska. The course was successful in showing students about the applicability and ubiquity of mathematics in the non-academic world, but also it helped students improve skills that they will later need when looking for employment (e.g. understanding societal problems, developing quantitative skills for real world models, working in teams, communication and presentation skills). As a faculty co-advisor of the Math Club and WUMN (Women in Undergraduate Mathematics Network) at UNL I have also helped organize meetings and events with undergraduate students that have an interest in mathematics and science, in general.