Joyce Lin, PhD, is a research assistant professor at the University of Utah in the Department of Mathematics, supported in part by a VIGRE postdoctoral fellowship. The NSF VIGRE grant is designed to integrate the researchers from different levels of education, ranging from undergraduates to senior professors. The focus on interdisciplinary education has provided Dr. Lin with very unique opportunities for research.

Coming from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Lin studied fluid dynamics with applications towards geophysical fluids. Moving to Utah to expand her research interests, Dr. Lin has become involved in aspects of physiology, mathematically modeling and studying the electrical behavior of cardiac cells. A novel approach to modeling the behavior of cardiac cells, developed with Dr. James Keener, has shown results that promise to more efficiently and accurately predict the behavior of cardiac tissue. This interdisciplinary project ties into experimental research being conducted at the Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute.

Dr. Lin is also part of a sea ice group that spans the Department of Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and headed by Drs. Ken Golden and Cynthia Furse. This group is dedicated to studying the effect of the ice pack growth on global climate change. A recent expedition to Antarctica has given Dr. Lin the amazing experience of taking in situ data from samples of sea ice cores. The critical data gathered during this trip will provide the key modeling and analysis necessary to understanding this important phenomenon.