Address:
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Hart Hall Room 228 Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA 02325 Phone: (508) 531-2391 Fax: (508) 531-1361 laura.gross@bridgew.edu http://webhost.bridgew.edu/L1Gross
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Mathematics, 1997
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
Troy, NY
Adviser: V. Roytburd
M.S. in Mathematics, 1993
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
B.S. cum laude in
Applied Mathematics, 1991
Yale University, New Haven, CT
Concentration: Computer Science
Minor: Chinese Language and
Literature
EMPLOYMENT
Assistant Professor, 2009-present
Bridgewater State University, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics, 2004-2009
The University of Akron, Department of Theoretical and
Applied Mathematics
Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics, 1997-2004
The University of
Akron, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mathematics
Consultant to Albrecht Inc., 2004-2006
Planning of mathematical design elements in a commercial development in Akron, OH
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Visiting Scholar, 2008-2009
Center for BioDynamics,
Boston University
Minisymposium Organizer, 2007
"Frontal Phenomena" with Stephen B. Margolis (Sandia National Laboratory), D. Golovaty (The University of Akron)
U. S. National Congress on Computational Mechanics, San Francisco, CA
Visiting Scholar, 2001-2002
Northwestern University, Department of Engineering Sciences and
Applied Mathematics
Visiting Assistant Professor, 2000-2001
The University of Vermont, Department of Mathematics
and Statistics
Visiting Scientist, June 13-July 1, 2000
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, Goddard
Space Flight Center
Graduate Research Assistant, Summer 1996
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Center for Nonlinear
Studies
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University Courses, 1997-present
Taught Calculus I, II, and III, differential equations, linear algebra, Advanced Engineering Mathematics I and II, programming and computer algebra, mathematics for liberal arts, algebra with business applications, and precalculus at Bridgewater State University and The University of Akron.
Summer
Experience in Engineering (SEE), 2005-2007
Developed and taught calculus overviews to, as well as mentored,
top high-school girls from Ohio and Pennsylvania in SEE, a recruitment
program at The University of Akron.
Northeast Ohio
Center of Excellence for Science and Mathematics Education,
2005-2006
Collaborated with faculty at regional universities and
K-12 schools to promote the effective teaching and learning of
mathematics. In particular, wrote algebra modules with a middle-school
teacher and with professors of mathematics and of education. The team
taught the algebra modules to middle-school teachers at Cleveland
State University.
Student Poster Sessions at The University of Akron,
2003-2006
Organized a poster session for mathematics students at
all levels at Celebration of Excellence in
Teaching and Learning (CELT). Supervised student presentations of an
honor thesis, a masters thesis, Advanced Engineering Mathematics I and
II, Calculus I-III, and mathematics for liberal arts at annual
departmental and university-wide poster sessions.
Vermont
Mathematics, Science, and Technology High School Summer Institute,
2003
Designed and delivered a mini-course to top high-school students
from Vermont on "Fair Division: The Mathematics of Sharing" at the
University of Vermont at what is now the Governor's
Institute in Mathematics.
Vermont
Mathematics Initiative, 2000-2001
Taught algebra and
trigonometry and supervised related hands-on activities for in-service
elementary and middle-school teachers. By teaching active teachers in
subjects up to and including calculus, the VMI promotes high quality
mathematics instruction and high levels of mathematics learning in
elementary schools across Vermont. It now serves as a template for a
variety of programs around the country.
Project Links,
1995
Planned curriculum and wrote web-based activities on
differential equations for NSF-funded project at Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute. Modules connect concepts of higher mathematics
with their applications in science and engineering. Each module easily
integrates into a mathematics course or a science or engineering
course existing at any university, taking one or several class
sessions. The project garnered the ASME Curriculum Innovation Award
(2001) and NEEDS Premier Award for Excellence in Engineering Education
(2000).
PUBLICATIONS
Comparison Study of Dynamics in One-Sided and Two-Sided Solid-Combustion Models, with Y. Yang and J. Yu, SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, 70 (8), pp. 3086--3104 (2010)
Frontal Reaction in a Layered Polymerizing Medium, with D. Golovaty and J. T. Joyner, SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, 70 (8), pp. 3022--3038 (2010)
Complex Dynamic Behavior During Transition in a Solid Combustion Model, with J. Yu and C. M. Danforth, Complexity, 14 (6), pp. 9-14 (2009)
Snell's Law of Refraction Observed in Thermal Frontal Polymerization, with J. A. Pojman, V. Viner, B. Binici, S. Lavergne, M. Winsper, and D. Golovaty, Chaos, 17, p. 033125 (2007)
The Enhancement of Weakly Exothermic Polymerization Fronts with D.M.G. Comissiong and V. A. Volpert, Journal of Engineering Mathematics, 57 (4), pp. 423-435 (2007)
On a Completely Residual-Based Method for Computer Code Verification with L. Brubaker and J. Zhu, Journal of Neural, Parallel, and Scientific Computing, 14 (4), pp. 337-344 (2006)
Frontal Polymerization in the Presence of an Inert Material with D.M.G. Comissiong and V. A. Volpert, Journal of Engineering Mathematics, 54 (4), pp. 389-402 (2006)
Nonlinear Dynamics of Frontal Polymerization with Autoacceleration with D.M.G. Comissiong and V. A. Volpert, Journal of Engineering Mathematics, 53, pp. 59-78 (2005)
Weakly Nonlinear and Numerical Analyses of Dynamics in a Solid Combustion Model with J. Yu, SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, 65 (5), pp. 1708-1725 (2005)
Review: Essential Mathematical Methods for Physicists by Weber and Arfken, SIAM Review, 47 (3), pp. 606-608 (2005)
A Numerical Study of One-Step Models of Polymerization: Frontal vs. Bulk Mode with Stephen A. Cardarelli, Dmitry Golovaty, Vitaliy T. Gyrya, and Jianping Zhu, Physica D, 206 (3-4), pp. 145-165 (2005)
Featured Review: Selected Books on Advanced Engineering Mathematics, SIAM Review, 46 (3), pp. 549-561 (2004)
Bifurcation Analysis of Polymerization Fronts with D. M. G. Comissiong and V. A. Volpert, in Nonlinear Dynamics in Polymeric Systems, ACS Symposium Series No. 869, J. A. Pojman, Q. Tran-Cong-Miyata, Eds., American Chemical Society, Oxford University Press, pp. 147-159 (2004)
Weakly Nonlinear Stability Analysis of Frontal Polymerization, with V. A. Volpert, Studies in Applied Mathematics, 110 (4), pp. 351-375 (2003)
Weakly Nonlinear Dynamics of Interface Propagation, Studies in Applied Mathematics, 108 (4), pp. 323-350 (2002)
The Onset of Linear Instability in a Solid Combustion Model, with J. Yu, Studies in Applied Mathematics, 107 (1), pp. 81-101 (2001)
On Instability of a Bend Fréedericksz Configuration in Nematic Liquid Crystals, with D. Golovaty, S. I. Hariharan, and E. C. Gartland, Jr., Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications, 255 (2), pp. 391-403 (2001)
Thermo-kinetically Controlled Pattern Selection, with M. Frankel and V. Roytburd, Interfaces and Free Boundaries, 2 (3), pp. 313-330 (2000)
GRANTS
Internal grant, present
Faculty Librarian Research Grant from Bridgewater State University
National Science Foundation,
2000-2002
Grant from Professional Opportunities for Women in Research and
Education (POWRE)
Travel grants, 1999, 2003
Support to attend conferences,
including Women
of Applied Mathematics Research and Leadership Conference at the
University of Maryland (through the Mathematical, Information, and
Computational Sciences program in the Office of Science at the
U.S. Department of Energy), a workshop at the Institute for Mathematics and its
Applications in Minnesota, and International Conference on
Industrial and Applied Mathematics in Scotland.
Mathematical Association of
America/The Tensor Foundation, 1998, 1999
Support to
found an organization to make careers in mathematics appealing and
accessible to female students at The University of Akron
HONORS
Chairs' Award, 2002
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, The
University of Akron
For outstanding achievement in early career
Alpha Delta Pi Faculty and Staff Recognition Award, 1999
The
University of Akron
For outstanding efforts in teaching and support
of students
Trainer of Master Teaching Fellows, 1996-1997
Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute
Sole student selected institute-wide to train
Master Teaching Fellows
Master Teaching Fellow, 1995-1996
Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute
One of six fellows selected institute-wide to orient all
new teaching assistants
The Rensselaer Union Volunteerism Award, 1995
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
For developing programs to recruit and mentor women students
SELECT PRESENTATIONS
Frontal polymerization in a heterogeneous medium, 2008
Seminar on Dynamical Systems, Boston University
Frontal polymerization in a medium with periodic monomer
distribution, 2007
Invited presentation, U. S. National
Congress on Computational Mechanics, San Francisco, CA
Complex dynamic behavior on transition in a solid combustion model,
2006
Invited presentation, International Conference on Complex
Systems, Quincy, MA
Weakly nonlinear and numerical analyses of dynamics in a solid
combustion model, 2004
Invited presentation at Symposium on
Transient Behavior and Stability in Fluid and Combustion Models, SIAM
conference on Nonlinear Waves and Coherent Structures, University of
Central Florida
Pattern prediction in frontal polymerization, 2003
Invited presentation, Women of Applied Mathematics Research and Leadership
Conference, University of Maryland
Weakly nonlinear stability analysis of self-propagating
polymerization fronts, 2002
Invited presentation at Symposium
on Nonlinear Dynamics of Polymeric Systems, American Chemical Society
national meeting, Division of Polymer Chemistry and Division of
Physical Chemistry, Boston, MA
Onset of Linear Instability in a Solid Combustion Model, 2001
Colloquium, Northwestern University, Department of Engineering
Sciences and Applied Mathematics
Homoclinic Orbits in Second Harmonic Generation, 2001
Applied
Mathematics Seminar, The University of Vermont, Department of
Mathematics and Statistics
MENTORING
Mentoring Women
in Mathematics, 1998-2000, 2002-2008
Founded and organized WIM together with colleagues to foster
communication among women mathematics students. The program also seeks
to make careers in mathematics appealing and accessible to female
students at The University of Akron. Activities include a luncheon
conversation series for women majors and prospective majors. Speakers
for this series have consisted primarily of graduates of our
department, as well as distinguished external visitors. The group has
also taken scientific tours at area government and industry labs and
has sponsored women students to give talks at national
conferences. Participants have designed and led hands-on mathematical
activities on campus at Kids Career Day for girls of
elementary-school age. Moreover, female students from several
neighboring universities have participated in the organization.
Pi Mu Epsilon
mathematics honor society, 2004-2008
Advised local chapter of
PME mathematics honor society. Secured Extracurricular Activities
Funds (EAF) from The University of Akron and organized activities like
undergraduate lectures and social events, including annual picnic and
annual initiation and awards banquet.
English Conversation Sessions, 1998-1999
Founded and
organized lunchtime conversations for international students to
practice their English at the then Department of Mathematics and
Computer Science at The University of Akron.
Teaching seminar for new mathematics teaching assistants, 1995,
1996
Developed and led a teaching seminar for new mathematics teaching
assistants at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and implemented the
program for other departments on campus.
Featured Presenter, 2005, 2003
Designed and led hands-on
mathematical activities at The University of Akron for girls of
elementary school age.
Career Panel, 2003
Addressed career-related questions at Vermont Mathematics, Science,
and Technology High School Summer Institute, Burlington, VT.
Mathematics-Club Colloquium, 2003
Gave invited colloquium ("Mathematical Description of Crystal Growth")
at Mathematics Club, Case Western Reserve University.
Women in Science and Engineering Roundtable, 2003
Led discussion ("Form From Fire"), Case Western Reserve University.
Sonia Kovalevsky Day (SKD), 2001
Gave invited presentation on career at University at SKD for local
secondary-school students at Albany, State University of New York.
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2000
Gave invited colloquium ("Sea Surface Temperatures") as REU alumna,
Mt. Holyoke College.
MEMBERSHIPS
Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics