Student Projects

I worked on this research project in the summer of 2023 at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California. It solves a system of linear equations with nonlinear constraints, as part of a larger project to find ideal configurations for water-splitting catalysts to generate hydrogen for clean energy production. We started by solving a simplified set of equations, then increased complexity as we figured out how to use our optimization software, Pyomo, also developed at the lab.

In this project, I employed mathematical modelling to analyze the 1968 Hong Kong Flu using the Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) model. Initially replicating Smith and Moore's 2004 results, I then extended the model to incorporate environmental factors, specifically temperature. Utilizing data from Lowen and Steel (2014), the extended model showcased temperature-dependent influenza A transmission dynamics. The findings aligned with known patterns of influenza spread, emphasizing faster transmission in colder temperatures. The project highlights the importance of environmental factors in understanding and predicting disease transmission, providing insights for future research and interventions.