Rodica Curtu, University of Iowa
Research Interests

Mathematical and Computational Neuroscience
Applied Dynamical Systems and Bifurcation Theory

Research Background

I am an applied mathematician by training, with expertise in dynamical systems theory. My research combines methods from nonlinear dynamical systems and bifurcation theory with computer simulations and statistical methods, to study the dynamics of biological systems, with focus primarily on neuronal networks and spatiotemporal patterns in the brain. In recent years I have also expanded my set of skills, both inside and outside the field, as I
    - Designed and implemented psychophysics experiments;
    - Pre-process human brain electrocorticography (ECoG) recordings;
    - Analyzed high-dimensional brain data recorded during experiments studying auditory bistable perception (auditory streaming of triplets) using different methodologies including signal processing, statistical methods, classifiers, dimensionality reduction and manifold learning.

Current work

  • Modeling the circuit mechanisms of the basal ganglia indirect pathway underlying time encoding. In collaboration with Kumar Narayanan (Neurology, UI)
  • Spike adding mechanism in FitzHugh-Nagumo model with periodic forcing. In collaboration with Pake Melland (Oregon Institute of Technology) and Zahra Aminzare (Mathematics, UI)

  • Previous projects

  • Dynamic models of human auditory perceptual switching informed by large-scale ECoG recordings. In collaboration with Pake Melland (Southern Methodist University), and Kirill Nourski (Neurosurgery and Human Brain Research Lab, UI) and Bingni Wen Brunton (University of Washington)
  • Modeling perceptual alternation and neuronal dynamics in auditory streaming of triplets. In collaboration with John Rinzel (New York University) and Quynh-Anh Nguyen (University of Indianapolis)
  • Modeling the unfolded protein response (UPR) to endoplasmic reticulum stress. In collaboration with Tom Rutkowski (Anatomy and Cell Biology, UI)
  • Model-based functional neuroimaging - probing the neural dynamics of response selection and inhibition. In collaboration with John Spencer (University of East Anglia, UK) and Sobana Wijeakumar (University of Nottingham, UK)
  • Development of a diagnostic framework of stream-flow dynamics with direct applications to prediction of flood conditions. In collaboration with Iowa Flood Center
  • Existence of mixed-mode-oscillations and canard solutions in a neuronal competition model. In collaboration with Jon Rubin (University of Pittsburgh)
  • Escape and release in competition models for binocular rivalry. In collaboration with John Rinzel (New York University), Nava Rubin, and Asya Shpiro
  • Investigation of the existence of traveling and standing waves in a model for feature selectivity in local cortical circuits. In collaboration with Bard Ermentrout (University of Pittsburgh)

  • Awards/ Funding

    NSF IIS-1515678 (PI)
           CRCNS: Collaborative Research: Dynamic Models of Human Auditory Perceptual Switching Informed by Large-Scale ECoG Recordings (9/01/2015-8/31/2019)
    NSF BCS-1029082 (Co-PI)
           The Emergence of Cognitive Flexibility in Neural-Behavioral Systems (10/01/2010-6/30/2016)
    NSF DMS-1347717 (PI)
           Nonlinear Dynamics and Stochastic Methods: From Neuroscience to Other Biological Applications (3/01/2014-2/28/2015)
    NSF DMS-1025483 (Co-PI)
           CMG Research: On the Quest for Power Laws in Floods: Developing Numerical and Analytical Tools (9/15/2010-8/31/2014)
    Simons Foundation Grant (PI)
           2013 Simons Fellowship in Mathematics
    2012 AWM-NSF Travel Award
    2010 University of Iowa Presidential Faculty Fellowship Award

    Conferences (Organizer / Member of the Scientific Committee)

    Organizer
    March 10-12, 2014: Conference on Nonlinear Dynamics and Stochastic Methods: From Neuroscience to Other Biological Applications, Pittsburgh, PA

    Program / Scientific Committee
    June 24-26, 2019: The 5-th International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience (ICMNS), Copenhagen, Denmark

    April 13, 2019: 7th Midwest Women in Mathematics Symposium, Iowa City, IA

    June 11-13, 2018: The 4-th International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience (ICMNS), Antibes Juan les Pins, France

    June 8-10, 2015: The 1-st International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience (ICMNS), Antibes Juan les Pins, France

    November 24-26, 2014: 3rd International Conference on Complex Dynamical Systems: New Mathematical Concepts and Applications in Life Sciences, TOBB Economy and Technology University, Ankara, Turkey



    Back to Home