Campuses:

<b>Planning Ahead</b>

Friday, March 26, 2010 - 10:40am - 11:20am
EE/CS 3-180
  • Planning for work in mathematical sciences at a national

    laboratory
    Natalia Alexandrov (NASA Langley Research Center)
    Working at a national laboratory, such as one of the NASA research centers, offers many exciting research opportunities to a mathematician. Some disciplines are traditionally mathematically intensive, such as computational fluid dynamics, structural analysis, multidisciplinary design optimization, formal methods for algorithm verification, to name a few. Other areas have traditionally relied on heuristic and evolutionary approaches, as in the development of the air transportation system. A uniting factor is the ever growing complexity of systems under consideration. In all endeavors, mathematical problems abound. This talk gives an overview of active research areas and describes a number of steps mathematicians planning to join a national laboratory can take to prepare themselves and create a productive and enjoyable working experience.


  • Planning to work in the academia
    Peh Ng (University of Minnesota)
    As faculty members at academic institutions, we are expected to excel
    in the three main areas called research, teaching, and outreach (or service),
    each of which with a different emphasis at different types of academic
    institutions. By and large, most academic institutions allow faculty the
    flexibility to pursue research or scholarly activities within the scope of
    the faculty member's expertise or research agenda. However, faculty would
    benefit by being willing to venture out into new areas or by seeking new
    research collaborations. Several suggestions on how to be proactive to
    succeed in academia will be discussed.